Kazuo Ishiguro and Sebastian Faulks are keynote speakers in the Spring Term’s series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events arranged by the Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI) for English teachers

Kazuo Ishiguro will be speaking about creative writing at a one-day seminar to be held on Friday 8 February at Hylands House in Chelmsford.

Kazuo Ishiguro was one of a number of now famous authors who were students on the creative writing course at the University of East Anglia, and he will be joined by Professor Mark Currie, Head of the School of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, as well as a student from Professor Currie’s course. The work will involve analysis of texts and consideration of the inter-relationship of literary criticism and creative writing, and will help those teaching AS/A2 English Language and Literature courses to help build their students’ confidence.

Sebastian Faulks will be speaking about the modern novel at a one-day seminar to be held on Friday 29 February at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London W1.

He will be joined by Professor John Mullan from University College, London, author of the seminal textHow Novels Work, and author and journalist David Aaronovitch. The day will consider the place of the modern novel in English teaching, and themes will include the methods used by novelists and the relevance of the novel in contemporary society. The event will be of interest to any English teacher keen to explore issues surrounding enjoying and teaching the modern novel, and those involved in the new AS and A2 English Literature examination.

Both authors have agreed to join in discussions with the secondary school English teachers attending the events.

Chris Pope, co-director of the Prince’s Teaching Institute, said, ‘Secondary teachers enter the profession as subject specialists and yet, unlike other professions, there is no mandatory requirement for them to refresh their subject knowledge.

Our programme of CPD events in English and History across the country has been organised in response to teacher demand, and as an extension to our annual Summer Schools from which teachers come away feeling reinvigorated about their particular subjects. We are delighted that such distinguished novelists have agreed to join this programme.’