Preinvitation letter

Date: 27 March 2008

Dear members and friends of EFNIL:

At our last annual conference in Riga, I could report to the participants the good news that our Portuguese member, the Instituto Camoes, was prepared to host our Annual Congress 2008 in Lisbon. As most of you will remember, the General Assembly gladly accepted this offer. In the meantime, preparations have begun. Therefore, I can now definitely announce the

6th Annual Conference of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language at Lisbon on 12 to 14 November 2008.

You will receive an official invitation from our Portuguese friends. Already now, I can inform you that the costs of hotel accommodation (for up to 3 nights from November 12 on) and part of the meals for two participants from each country will be born by EFNIL. Unfortunately, EFNIL cannot bear your travel expenses.

As in the previous years, the conference will consist of two divisions: a thematic part and the General Assembly of our organization. In accordance with our hosts, we have chosen for the thematic part the general title Language Use in Business and Commerce in Europe. We expect to hear and discuss a) general overview lectures by guest speakers who are experts in this field and b) brief reports by delegates of several of our member institutions on the specific situation in their countries. I would be grateful if some of you could help us in the preparation of the programme by either suggesting experts to be invited as guest speakers or by volunteering to give a report on language use in business and commerce of your own country. Two sets of leading questions for both types of contributions are enclosed.

The agenda for the General Assembly will be sent to you in time. Our Portuguese colleagues and the Secretariat of EFNIL will provide you on with detailed information on the programme and organizational matters.

I look forward to meeting you in Lisbon on November 12.

Yours sincerely,

Gerhard Stickel

2 enclosures:

Leading questions for guest speakers

Leading questions for reports on the situation in individual countries