The 14th Annual CamTESOL Conference: 1,700 Delegates from 39 Countries
The 14th Annual CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching hosted by IDP Education Cambodia welcomed 1,700 delegates from 39 countries, with more than 50% of the international participation coming from Southeast Asia. The theme of the conference was English Language Teaching in the Digital Era.
Every year CamTESOL brings together classroom teachers of English and teacher trainers, researchers in the fields of ELT and linguistics, administrators of English language schools and universities, educators with an interest in international language education, ELT-related individuals and institutions and Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport representatives and international experts and researchers who wish to network within the ELT communities in Southeast Asia.
On Saturday 10 February, HE Dr Hang Choun Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Ms Ruth Stewart, Deputy Head of Mission for the Australian Embassy and Mr Michael A. Newbill, Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy, officially opened the conference.
HE Dr Hang Chuon Naron in his Opening Ceremony speech said, “Since the establishment of the CamTESOL Conference Series, the proficiency and standard of English Language Teaching (ELT) achieved by educational institutions at all levels in Cambodia has provided support to the important national agenda of human resources development, and especially the development of intellectual capital to meet labour market demands.”
The Opening and Closing Plenary Speakers included Dr Beverly Derewianka, a Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong; Mr John Macalister, a Professor in Applied Linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand; Ms Fredricka L. Stoller, a Professor of English at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA; and Mr William Grabe a Regents’ Professor of Applied Linguistics at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.
IDP Education (Cambodia) Country Director and CamTESOL Convener Mr Mao Sreng noted that, “The CamTESOL Conference Series has established Cambodia as a key regional and international focal point for English language teaching, learning and research, and dissemination of information on best practices in ELT.” He then adds, “CamTESOL has strengthened the links between the ELT communities in Southeast Asia and internationally, and has gained support from globally renowned educational institutions and corporations.”
The Conference had 35 companies exhibiting the best in ELT resources, materials, associations, institutions, and services at the event. The ELT Regional Research Symposium and Main Conference featured over 450 presentations by over 450 presenters from 29 streams. The conference also welcomed over 1000 Cambodian ELT professionals, many of which are trainee teachers from the provinces. The Conference has become an annual gathering and professional development event for delegates to take back with them the best practices to further enhance the community of English language teachers in their areas.
Fourteen years after initiating the CamTESOL Conference Series, IDP Education continues to acknowledge and appreciate the strong support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Australian Embassy, the U.S Embassy, the main sponsor IDP IELTS Australia, and the broad range of institutions and individuals involved in ELT in Cambodia, the Southeast Asian region, and internationally. Their ongoing support greatly contributes to the continued growth and popularity of the conference as well as English language teaching and learning.
The 15th Annual CamTESOL Conference will be held on 16-17 February 2019 and will have the theme “Teachers as Learners.”
