Doha: Over 500 delegates from Qatar, GCC, Indonesia, the UK, the US and Canada attended the Qatar TESOL 2015 Conference hosted by Qatar University’s College of Education and Foundation Program and organised by Qatar Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
The two-day forum ‘Excellence in English language teaching for the workplace: bridging the gap between the academia and the job market’ also featured guest speakers.
It was funded by a grant from Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) 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 Department of Educational Sciences at the college to be oriented on recent trends and issues in TESOL and English as a second language.
The forum saw 80 presenters from institutions in Qatar and the GCC, including QU, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Community College Qatar, Supreme Education Council, QNRF, College of North Atlantic Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, and Higher Colleges of Technology and primary and KG English teachers from Independent and private schools in Qatar.
Participants shared research findings and teaching tips and attended workshops on topics such as technology and language learning, motivation, task-based teaching, preparing language learners for the workplace, and writing and reading strategies.
Students from the college also took part in activities and were engaged in the subject on the increased importance of English language as a tool for commerce and social advancement.
The opening ceremony was attended by QU Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr Mazen Hasna, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs at the college, Prof Yahya Al Nakeeb, and QU Core Curriculum and Foundation Program Director, Dr Maha Al Hendawi, and QU and TESOL officials.
Keynote speakers, president-elect, TESOL International Association, Prof Andy Curtis discussed ‘Transition from Plato’s Academy to Jobs’ Empire: Connecting the Academy to the World of Work’, Prof Emeritus at University of Southampton, Ros Mitchell, on ‘Language Teacher Professionalism: Developing Students’ Employability in a Mobile Age’ and educational consultant Prof Donna Brinton on ‘Professionalising the profession’.
Dr Ali Al Rabai, Director, Department of Educational Sciences at the college said: “As the sole entity that develops and prepares teachers for classrooms in Qatar, the college is pleased to partner in this forum with TESOL and Foundation Programme to advance the dialogue on new trends and practices.
“The conference will benefit current and prospective teachers and will be an opportunity for them to share experiences in topics of mutual interest and network and develop collaborative activities with colleagues in Qatar and beyond”.
Okon Effiong, President, TESOL, said: “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 included a job fair, a pre-conference institute on ‘Personality Dimensions Basic Training’, a Community of Practice initiative, and a roundtable ‘Preparing English language learners for the GCC of the future’ conducted by Dr Kate Reynolds, Dr Dudley Reynolds, Dr Christine Coombe, Dr Lydia Kuniholm, Sheikha Al Remaihi and Dr Mohamed Mahgoub.
The Peninsula
