Empowering Teachers, Empowering Learners

[코리아타임스 2006-09-27 17:27]
광고


By Kang Shin-who

Staff Reporter

An international conference will take place next month to expand professional knowledge and provide teaching skills for English teachers.

Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (KOTESOL) will host its annual international conference Oct. 28-29 at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul.

Under the theme of ``Advancing English Language Teaching: Empowering Teachers, Empowering Learners,’’ KOTESOL will provide opportunities for English teachers in Korea to meet and listen to some of the most renowned professionals in the English Language Teaching (ELT) field.

For the conference, three plenary speakers in English education will be invited, including Andy Curtis, an independent consultant in international education, Jack Richards, a language learning expert who is the author of ``Interchange’’ and other books, and Nina Spada, co-author of ``How Languages Are Learned.’’

There will also be 10 featured-speakers presenting on a range of subjects including cross cultural learning, young learners, testing and assessment and teacher education.

As early education in English has become a critical issue, this year’s conference will focus on how to teach children effectively. The organization will form a “Young Learner Zone,” where presentations for teachers of young learners will be held and ideas and suggestions will be given on improving English education for children.

``Although teachers play a crucial role in English education, Korea has not put much effort in to training and nurturing better English teachers. I hope there will be more academic exchange conferences like this one for English teachers,’’ said Shim Ji-yeon, one of the members of KOTESOL.

Conference participants can build and strengthen their professional network by interacting with other teachers and related association members.

``Every year I have learned useful ways to teach students and discovered new ideas for better education at the conference. And it is very good opportunity to learn from other good teachers,’’ said Lee Hye-li.

The conference is not only for English teachers but also anyone who is interested in English teaching.

``It is our goal to empower English teachers professionals, both new and more experienced, as they are exposed to the latest information in the ELT field,’’ Allison Bill, chairman of the conference, said.

In 2005, the international conference included 99 academic presentations and 53 commercial presentations over the course of two days and attracted some 920 attendees.

Foreign teachers can use the conference to network and exchange information regarding job positions.

KOTESOL is an affiliate of TESOL Inc., an international education association of almost 18,000 members with its headquarters in Alexandria, Va. It is a professional organization of English teachers that aims to assist its members in their professional development and contribute to the improvement of ELT in Korea.

KOTESOL is supported by its organizational partners, with close to 40 leading education organizations participating in the conference each year, including Oxford University Press, Pearson Education/Longman, Thomas Learning, Macmillan Education, McGraw-Hill and teacher trainer organizations.

In addition to displaying educational materials, organizational partners have been invited to give presentations relating to their materials and how to use them effectively. They aim to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere with their prize draws and giveaways throughout the two-day event.

Institutions wishing to attend the international conference may do so by becoming an organizational partner. For example, universities wishing to recruit teacher trainees for their programs may participate as Teacher Training Associates (TTA), which entitles them to a display table and the option of procuring a presentation slot. Expanded options are also available. For more information, visit the KOTESOL Web site, www.kotesol.org, or e-mail Robert Dickey at rjdickey@content-english.org.


kswho@koreatimes.co.kr