Global trends and local practice in ELT: Options and Opportunities (24-07-2010)

The 5^th TESOL conference was successfully organized by VUS on July 24^th, 2010 at the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City. There were more than 1,500 participants coming from cities and provinces across the country such as Hanoi, Lam Dong, Nha Trang and An Giang, and from other countries such as Cambodia and Japan.

With the topic “Global trends and local practice in ELT: Options and Opportunities”, the conference discussed global trends and points of view in English teaching as well as the methodologies used in Vietnam during the integration process. This is an opportunity for English teachers to meet and discuss issues in teaching English and consider new approaches to suit Vietnamese classrooms.

Ms Lan Anh from Dong Nai Department of Education and Training said: “I’m really impressed by the TESOL conference organized by VUS. I have had the opportunity to learn about new approaches in English teaching which is very useful for my job. This is also a forum for thoses interested in this field to meet and exchange teaching experience”.

Presentations introduced different education points of view, choices and teaching opportunities for teachers, learning opportunities for learners, initiatives and solutions for issues in English teaching such as: How can we develop the learners’ active role? Is it possible to apply global trends in Vietnamese classes?

The conference keynote speaker was Professor Alan Maley, a well-known education expert and the author of the Resource Books for Teachers series. He has published more than 40 books and lots of research papers about English teaching. He is currently visiting professor at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, and is a freelance author and consultant. Attending the conference, teachers had opportunities to win three study abroad scholarships worth 1,000 USD each provided by Pearson Longman Publishing House, and 10 scholarships by Cengage Publishing House to study online courses about English teaching. All participants also received a Certificate of Attendance issued by VUS.

Mr Phan Ngoc Dien, a teacher from Binh Duong Province, said: “Thanks VUS for giving us a chance to meet and talk to well-known speakers such as Professor Alan Maley. Not many teachers, especially those who come from provinces like us, have this opportunity.”

Mr Christopher Minh Huynh, Vice President of VUS, said: “The TESOL conference of VUS has become a forum to introduce new ideas and initiatives in English teaching, and provided opportunities for English teachers to interact with speakers and education experts from around the world. Through this conference, VUS has created a sizeable and in-depth forum to contribute its part in the community by improving teachers’ professional level during the integration process".

Since 2006, VUS has successfully organized four TESOL conference with the attendance of leading international and regional speakers and authors in linguistics such as: Andy Curtis; Alan Maley; Ian Walkinshaw; Clyde Fowle; Bruce Veldhuisen; Paul Grainger; Stephen Thomas, David Nunan and  Grant Trew.