More than 500 delegates from Qatar, the GCC, Indonesia, UK, US and Canada attended the Qatar Tesol (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) 2015 Conference recently hosted by Qatar University’s (QU) College of Education (CED) and Foundation Programme.
The two-day conference, themed “Excellence in English language teaching for the workplace: bridging the gap between the academia and the job market”, also featured prominent guest speakers in the field.
The event was funded by a grant from Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and aimed to promote professionalism among English language practitioners in Qatar, the GCC and beyond. It was also an opportunity for current and prospective English language teachers at CED’s Department of Educational Sciences to be oriented on the most recent trends and issues in Tesol and English as a second language (ESL).
The programme agenda featured 80 presenters from institutions in Qatar and the GCC, including QU, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ), Community College Qatar (CCQ), Supreme Education Council (SEC), QNRF, College of the North Atlantic - Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), as well as primary and kindergarten English teachers from independent and private schools in Qatar.
Attendees shared research findings, teaching tips and participated in hands-on workshops on diverse topics and issues such as technology and language learning, motivation, task-based teaching, preparing language learners for the workplace, and writing and reading strategies.
CED students had the opportunity to participate in various activities and were engaged on the subject of the increased importance of English language as a tool for commerce and social advancement.
Attending the opening ceremony were QU vice president and chief academic officer Dr Mazen Hasna, CED associate dean for academic affairs Prof Yahya al-Nakeeb, and QU core curriculum and foundation programme director Dr Maha al-Hendawi, as well as several QU and Tesol officials.
Keynote speakers included president-elect of Tesol International Association Prof Andy Curtis (Canada), who discussed the “Transition from Plato’s Academy to Jobs’ Empire: Connecting the Academy to the World of Work”; Prof Emeritus at the University of Southampton Ros Mitchell (UK), who presented on “Language Teacher Professionalism: Developing Students’ Employability in a Mobile Age”; and educational consultant Prof Donna Brinton (US), who presented on “Professionalising the Profession”.
CED’s Department of Educational Sciences director Dr Ali al-Rabai said, “The College of Education is pleased to partner in this forum with Tesol and Foundation Programme to advance the dialogue on new trends and practices in Tesol and ESL.”
Tesol president Okon Effiong added, “By providing a solid English language foundation at the primary and secondary levels, the products of tertiary institutions would be more than ready for the job market
and to compete globally.”
The conference programme included a job fair, a sponsored pre-conference institute on “Personality Dimensions Basic Training” and the introduction of a new Community of Practice initiative.
Another highlight was a roundtable themed “Preparing English language learners for the GCC of the future” conducted by Dr Kate Reynolds (QU), Dr Dudley Reynolds (CMUQ), Dr Christine Coombe (HCT), Dr Lydia Kuniholm (CCQ), Sheikha al-Remaihi (SEC) and Dr Mohamed Mahgoub (QNRF).
Officials and dignitaries attending the conference.
