13^th Annual CamTESOL Builds Regional Community

Over 1,500 delegates from more than 30 countries attended the 13^th Annual CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching (ELT) on 18-19 February 2017. Organised by IDP Education and hosted at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in Phnom Penh. CamTESOL is acknowledged as the largest and most diverse ELT conference in the Asia-Pacific region. The theme for the 2017 conference was Build A Regional Community: English Across Platforms.

The 13^th Annual CamTESOL Conference saw more than 1500 people attend the three-day event.

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 representatives and international experts and researchers who wish to network within the ELT communities in Southeast Asia.

HE Hang Choun Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, HE Ms Angela Corcoran, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia and Ms Diane Millar, Regional English Language Officer, US State Department, Representative of US Embassy in Cambodia officially opened the conference on the morning of Saturday 18 February.

The CamTESOL Conference Series helps us to engage in an integrated way with professionals from other countries,” said HE Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport. “The Ministry strongly supports professional development opportunities to empower teachers of English so that they can deliver their language teaching at an international standard,” he added.

Right to left: Mr. Sreng Mao, Country Director of IDP Education (Cambodia);

HE Hang Choun Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport;

HE Ms Angela Corcoran, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia; and

Ms Diane Millar, Regional English Language Officer, US State Department at the Opening Ceremony.

Plenary Speakers at the Conference included Dr Dilin Liu, Professor & Coordinator of the Applied Linguistics / TESOL program, English Department at the University of Alabama, USA; Dr. Lawrence Zhang, Professor of Linguistics-in-Education and Associate Dean, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, New Zealand; and Dr. Marie Stevenson, Applied Linguist and Educationalist, University of Sydney, Australia.

“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,” said IDP Education Cambodia Country Director Mao Sreng. “CamTESOL has strengthened the links between the ELT communities in Southeast Asia and internationally, and has gained support from globally renowned education institutions and corporations,” he added.

Mr. Sreng Mao, Country Director of IDP Education (Cambodia) and HE Ms Angela Corcoran,

Australian Ambassador to Cambodia talk to the media at CamTESOL.

Featured speakers include Dr. Richmond Stroupe, Chair of the Master’s Program in International Language, Education: TESOL, Soka University, Japan,  Ms. Issy Yuliasri, TEFLIN Board Member, Lecturer, English Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia, Mr. Made Hery Senotosa, Head of Collaboration Affairs and Information System Postgraduate Studies Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha; Dr. Keuk Chan Narith, MA Program Coordinator and lecturer of Applied Linguistics and Teaching Methodology, Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Cambodia; Mr. Huw Jarvis, Founder and Editor of TESOLAcademic.org; and  Ms. Kelly Kimura, Editor-in-chief of Language Education in Asia, Lecturer, Soka University, Japan.

The Main Conference featured over 300 presentations by ELT professionals with an additional 40 presentations given at the ELT Regional Research Symposium on the preceding Friday. The conference also welcomed more than 1000 Cambodian ELT professionals, many of them trainee teachers from the provinces. Thirty-five local and international exhibitors will also be showcasing the best in ELT resources, materials, associations, institutions, and services at the event.

Thirteen 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, 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 CamTESOL Conference Series continues to:

• Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and dissemination of information on good practices within English Language Teaching
• Strengthen and broaden the network of ELT teachers and all those involved in the ELT sector in Cambodia and the region
• increase the links between the ELT community in Cambodia and the international ELT community
• Showcase research in the field of in the field of language and language education

Plenary Speaker Dr. Marie Stevenson, Applied Linguist and Educationalist, University of Sydney, Australia presents at the CamTEOL-UECA Regional ELT Research Symposium.

 CamTESOL attendees visit the Royal Palace as part of a cultural

tour offered by the event organisers.

 Delegates register at the CamTESOL-UECA Regional ELT Research Symposium

at the Cambodia-Korea Cultural Centre.

CamTESOL Event Coordinator Visal Sou addresses CamTESOL guests at the

Presenters' Welcome Reception sponsored by UTS:Insearch.

CamTESOL guests enjoy the Conference Dinner.

Standing room only: CamTESOL Presentations attracted huge interest and big audiences.

Plenary Speakers Dr. Lawrence Zhang, Professor of Linguistics-in-Education and Associate Dean, Faculty

of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, New Zealand (centre right);

Dr Dilin Liu, Professor & Coordinator of the Applied Linguistics/TESOL program,

English Department at the University of Alabama, USA (far right); and Featured Speakers

Dr. Keuk Chan Narith, , MA Program Coordinator and lecturer of Applied Linguistics and

Teaching Methodology, Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Cambodia; and Mr. Hum Chan, University of Battambang (left) take time out from a busy CamTESOL.

 ACE Principal Ashley Irving introduces the CamTESOL Closing Plenary.

For more on the event visit CamTESOL on Facebook

Khmer News:

eWorld Magazine

Kampuchea Thmey Daily

Cambodia Express News

ACE CamTESOL Presenters

The organisers of the 13^th Annual CamTESOL Conference would like to thank the following ACE teaching staff who made presentations at the event on 18-19 February 2017, themed “Building a Regional Community: English Across Platforms”.

Numerous delegates have commented on the quality of the talks and the calibre of speakers. These presentations have formed the foundation of what makes the Conference the overwhelming success that it has been over the years and will continue to be in the future.

Santhor Mok Campus Manager Visal Sou, who coordinated the Conference, did a superb job along with the cohorts of IDP/ACE staff and volunteers.