AILA 2008 Newsletter 2008-01 (Program / Special Events / Chairing / Registration / Travelling)
Dear Colleagues,
This is the fifth AILA 2008 e-Newsletter presenting information and updates on preparations for the 15th World Congress of Applied Linguistics (August 24-29, 2008 in Essen, Germany). In this issue we would like to inform you of the fact that the conference program (individual papers & regular symposia) is now available online, remind you of the fact that registration at the early-bird rate is possible until March 31, 2008, inform you about special offers available for travelling to Essen from anywhere within Germany on a special German Rail conference ticket, remind you of the fact that we would still invite you to act as a session chair, and give you an update on some of the special events at AILA 2008.
Please accept our apologies for cross-postings.
Conference Program
The conference program is now available online, identifying the days and time-slots of individual papers and regular symposia. You can access this information from the pull-down menu under the “Structure & Program” section on the AILA 2008 website at www.aila2008.org
As far as the Wednesday is concerned, this day is reserved exclusively for one of the keynote presentations and the REN-Symposia (AILA Research Network Symposia) and specially featured symposia. No individual papers and other symposia are scheduled for the Wednesday, and in the afternoon we will offer a social program with excursions etc.
Special Events
- Mayor's reception and gala concert at Philharmonic Hall
- Conference Party on Thursday Evening
- Wednesday afternoon excursions
Mayor's reception and gala concert at Philharmonic Hall
We have a very special treat on offer on Monday evening, as the mayor of Essen will host a reception at the Philharmonic Hall. Thanks to sponsoring from the Sparkasse Essen we can offer tickets for the concert at the Philharmonic Hall at very special rates (opening concert of the 2008/09 season):
John Adams, one of the leading American contemporary composers and conductors, with the Nationaal Jeugd Orkest Summer Academy, will perform:
- Richard Strauss: “Don Juan”—Tondichtung für großes Orchester nach Nikolaus Lenau, op. 20
- Jean Sibelius: Sinfonie Nr. 7 C-Dur, op. 105
- Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes from “Peter Grimes”, op. 33a
- As well as one of John Adams' recent compositions:: Doctor Atomic Symphony
We feel that this concert, offered by a renowned multinational youth orchestra, fits in particularly well with the conferences theme and multinational character of AILA 2008.
As there is only a limited number of tickets available at sponsored rates, please let us know if you are interested in a ticket as soon as possible by mailing to support-aila2008@uni-due.de Exact booking procedures will be communicated soon.
Conference Party on Thursday Evening
On Thursday evening we will hold a conference party at a very special location, i.e. the “Zeche Zollverein”—this old mine is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is the symbol of the whole region, a kind of “Industrial Heritage Cathedral”. Further details will be published soon, but we are planning to keep tickets for the party at very reasonable rates in order to welcome as many of you as possible at Zollverein, so please mark this event in your conference diary.
Wednesday afternoon excursions
Finally, we will offer a comprehensive program with excursion in the Rhein and Ruhr region, including a number of sites of international renown, on Wednesday afternoon. A detailed program will be advertised in our next newsletter.
Chairing Paper Sessions
A number of colleagues have already reacted to or call for volunteers to chair a paper session at AILA 2008, to whom we would like to express our gratitude. However, we are still inviting applications for session chairs, as we need chairs for paper sessions throughout the week. Therefore, would those who are interested in chairing one of the individual paper sessions at AILA 2008 please contact us via the following mail-address: chairing-aila2008@uni-due.de Session chairs will receive a letter confirming their official involvement in the World Congress, which might be of assistance when applying for funds or travel expenses in some academic contexts.
AILA 2008—Registration
Please remember that registration for AILA 2008 at the early-bird rate is open until March 31. The following rates apply to AILA 2008:
- Early Bird—received before March 31, 2008
- 225 € for AILA Members
- 250 € for Non-AILA Members
Other options are specified on the website, e.g. day tickets and student registration.
Please register by completing the registration form, which you can find on the AILA 2008 website at www.aila2008.org The registration form is a downloadable PDF-document and can be filled in directly on your computer. It may then be send via e-mail, regular mail, or fax to the AILA 2008 Congress Office. For more detailed information please visit our website.
Travelling to and during AILA 2008
There is special offer from Deutsche Bahn: Within Germany AILA visitors should ask for the special AILA conditions for getting to and leaving Essen by train. Deutsche Bahn AG brings you fast, comfortably and conveniently to AILA 2008. Enjoy pleasant and relaxed travelling with special service. Travel per rail at a special rate in first or second class from a DB-station of your choice anywhere in Germany to Essen and return.
The fare for a round trip to Essen is: 2nd class 99 € / 1st class 139€
The exclusive offer is valid within Germany on all DB trains including the fast ICE services. Such an option is also interesting for delegates flying into Frankfurt, as the rail connection from Frankfurt airport (sprinter service) only takes less than 2 hours. The tickets are valid between 21 and 31 August 2008. Tickets can be booked from now on. Have a look at the How to get to Essen section of the AILA 2008 website.
Also, please note that a ticket for all transport within Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR -regional transport association) will be included in the conference fee. VRR Essen provides a comprehensive local passenger transport service within the city and beyond, via its extensive links with the region. Therefore, if you are for example flying to Düsseldorf International Airport, rides on Regional Express services and on the S 1 services to Essen central station (appr. 30 mins) are free of charge.
Finally, from all here dealing with the preparations for AILA 2008 we would like to express the hope that you all had a good start into the year 2008. We are looking forward to welcoming you here in Essen in August.