Theme: English Language Education: Directions, Transformations, Sustainability.
Venue: National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM), Dhanmondi, Dhaka
The Conference has been organized by Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA) with the British Council as its lead partner. The American Center has also provided substantial support with English in Action and Eastern University contributing in a meaningful way.
Barbara Wickham, Country Director British Council Bangladesh, Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, University of Asia Pacific, Ann B McConnell , Director American Centre, Mr Md Nazrul Islam Khan Secretary, Ministry of Education and Deputy British High Commissioner Mr Mark Clayton were among those who attended the event and delivered address notes. Honourable Minister of Education Mr Nurul Islam Nahid MP, People’s Republic of Bangladesh was chief guest at the inauguration.
The Conference provides a professional forum for English teachers, trainers, policy makers, administrators, materials writers, researchers, educationists & technologists related to English Language Teaching, Learning, Testing, and Administration. 550 participants attended the conference among ELT practitioners in public/private sectors, including professionals in language education, technology & development areas. A significant aspect of this conference is that 165 participants from the different regions of the country, where BELTA has its chapters, are being supported to attend this international forum. There were also presenters from around Asia (Nepal, India, SriLanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia).
The Keynote speaker is Dr Peter Medgyes, Professor Emeritus, Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. He is presenting two talks:
The fifth paradox – What's the English lesson all about?
Always look on the bright side – Being a non-native teacher
The 102 presentations offered a range of topics from young learners to adult education, tertiary and secondary education, curriculum and materials design, community-based learning, the use of technology, examinations and their impact on society to the concept of developing innovative practices. Educational policy and its manifestation in school practices was a much discussed issue. A significant addition has been in the number of research-based analyses and insights by local contributors which reflect the state of ELT in Bangladesh today.
Six internationally reputed language educators will also be giving plenary talks and workshops. They are:
- Dr Phyllis Ghim-Lian Chew, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Dr Moses Samuel, University of Malaya, Malaysia
- Dr Sharmin S Khan, San Jose State University, California
- Sara Denne-Bolton, RELO, US Embassy, Nepal
- Dr Rama Mathew, University of Delhi, India
- Dr M Obaidul Hamid, University of Queensland, Australia
In addition, The British Council has organized two signature events where panelists discuss a topic from various angles.The topics are:
Can Teachers Associations make a difference?
b. Teaching to the Test or Teaching for Learning?
BELTA is holding a colloquium or roundtable on “Communicative Approaches in ELT: Realities in Bangladesh”.
This 3-day conference will provide a platform for the dissemination of updated knowledge and the exchange of ideas as well as create awareness of the challenges and opportunities in the field of English Language teaching and learning.