(PTN, Modern Languages Association of Poland – Polskie Towarzystwo Neofilologiczne)
Professor Halina Maria Widła
Halina Widła, a full professor at the Institute of Romance Languages and Translation Studies at the University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland, has been actively involved in promoting and developing theoretical and practical knowledge of modern languages and cultures. She has given numerous conference presentations and invited talks/plenaries (65) in Poland and abroad (in Belgium, France, Germany, Romania, Sweden); she is the author (and a co-author) of high-quality articles dealing with different aspects of language learning and teaching which have been published in recognized academic journals. She has also been an initiator and an organiser of a number of conferences focussing on the theory and practice of language teaching in Poland, in particular the teaching of Romance languages. As her recent interests include the use of IT technology in language education, she has been actively involved in developing and implementing computer-based materials in distance learning as well as developing the Distance Learning Platform at the University of Silesia (as a part of a European Project). Prof. Widła has been an organiser of workshops for teachers of Romance languages in the Silesia region; the workshops focussed primarily on the use of new technologies in language teaching and learning. In addition, she serves as an examiner on a committee certifying e-teachers for the purpose of university education.
As far as the practice of language teaching is concerned, prof. Widła has been active in supporting language learning contests, namely French Language Contests and the Spanish Language Contests. She served as a member of the Committees in the years 2011-2016 (also as a representative of the Modern Languages Association of Poland); she was responsible for and supervised the on-line part of the contests.
On the whole, her initiatives in the area of promoting Romance languages and culture have contributed to the increase of interest in French, and, as a result, led to the increase in the number of hours of French taught in schools.
Prof. Widła’s involvement in the promotion of Romance languages and culture included such events as meetings with prospective employers of the graduates of philology (since 2013), events organised in cooperation with the French Embassy in Poland, collaboration with schools in the area, guest lectures, workshops for teachers preparing students for language contests (2002-2016), etc.
Prof. Widła was a member of the Presidium of the Modern Languages Association of Poland (2001-2016). She served as vice-President in the years 2004-2007 and was President for two consecutive terms (2007-2013). In 2016 she was awarded a medal in appreciation for her work and involvement. In 2009 she was elected Secretary General of FIPLV for Western/Central European Region.
Prof. Halina Widła is active in many other areas – she is a member of several professional organizations, serves on editorial/advisory boards of academic journals, and, above all, is an academic teacher. In this capacity she teaches numerous courses, including M.A. and Ph.D. seminars in the area of IT, among others. She has supervised 5 Ph.D. theses, served as a reviewer in 14 Ph.D. assessment committees, and took part in other procedures connected with the conferment of academic degrees. Her involvement has been recognized and appreciated by the authorities at the university and the ministerial levels.
Konferencja “Innowacyjność w uczeniu się i nauczaniu języków obcych”. Miejsce: aula im. M. i G. Dietrichów.
Konferencja “Innowacyjność w uczeniu się i nauczaniu języków obcych”. Miejsce: aula im. M. i G. Dietrichów.
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