The Sir Robert Taylor Society is a network of Modern Languages Teachers and members of the Medieval and Modern Languages Faculty at the University of Oxford. As part of the Modern Languages Schools Liaison initiative, we provide links between Higher Education institutions and schools in both the state and independent sectors.

Now in our 66th year, our annual conference takes place each September and offers teachers an opportunity to develop relationships with other MFL educators from around the country. It also provides a chance to engage with Faculty academics to further awareness of new research in the subject and of the Faculty’s admissions process. Likewise, the conference allows Oxford academics to improve their understanding of teaching practices in secondary schools. We believe the conference is an invaluable forum for best practice sharing and for the discussion about issues and developments in pedagogy of the discipline at all levels. 

Aims of the Sir Robert Taylor Society:

• To offer language teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds access to the Oxford Modern Languages Faculty and its teachers and, by so doing, to make schools aware of appropriate and attractive courses for their pupils.
• To allow teachers to meet colleagues, past and present, and to share ideas in a congenial and enjoyable social context.
• To inform the Faculty of changes in style, content and methodology of language teaching in schools.
• To provide information to language teachers, from a wide variety of backgrounds, on admissions procedures as they apply to Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford.
• To allow teachers to enjoy a brief period of refreshment and intellectual stimulus through lectures, discussions and contact with university teachers.
• To provide teachers the chance to experience academic and social life in an Oxford college.