JOHOR BARU: In view of the overwhelming response from teachers, students, professionals and international participants to the 9th Johor English Language Conference this year, where more than 430 participants took part, the organisers are planning a bigger event for 2019.
Next year's conference will be organised by the Johor English Language Teaching Association (Jelta) with the co-operation of the Johor Education Department and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's Language Academy.
Jelta president Vincent D’Silva said the committee was targeting top academicians, local corporate figures, retired university lecturers, celebrities with excellent English language communication skills and top writers for its 10th Johor English Language Conference 2019.
He said for a start, Datuk Mahadzir Lokman, a well-known host and master of ceremony, has already agreed to conduct a plenary session on the intricacies of public speaking during the next conference.
"The three-day conference will be opened to teachers, parents, students, education officials, professionals and all stakeholders who are interested in the field of ESL," said D'Silva.
He said they will be focusing towards rural school teachers so as to give them the opportunity to attend the conference.
"Most of the time, it is teachers from urban schools who are given chances while the rural school teachers in Mersing, Pontian, Kulai and PasirGudang often have very limited opportunities to attend conferences," said D'Silva.
As for the venue, D’Silva said he still expects to hold the conference at M Suites Hotel.
"Over the years they have been our main sponsor and we anticipate that they will give us the support this time around which has been part of their social responsibility commitment to supporting education."
D’Silva said Jelta has also taken initial steps to work with the American Embassy as well as other embassies so that teachers have the opportunity to engage with ideas and practices from other countries.
"The Minister of Education will also be invited so that teachers have the direct experience of listening to what the minister has to say about the teaching and learning of English," said D'Silva.
He said Jelta plans to keep the conference theme general to give the participants a wide range of options.
"We want teachers to have a platform to exchange and gather new ideas for implementation in the future.
"We want to make this an opportunity for teachers to meet and exchange thoughts with ELT experts. Besides, we want the teachers to enjoy every moment of the conference," he said.
The conference will emphasise on the need for more pragmatic and effective approaches to various aspects in the teaching and learning of English.
He said Jelta plans to continue to award teachers with the Excellent English Language Teacher Award in the state who have contributed to the development of English Language teaching.
"A committee comprising of Jelta and Johor Education Department will make the selection," said D'Silva.
As in previous year’s conference, demonstrations and workshops will be given priority as most school teachers prefer to attend practical and hands-on experience.
In view of the great demand for seminars and workshops, D’Silva said Jelta plans to have the conference on a yearly basis.
"Many have also written to us expressing their keen interest in attending our conference should it be held in 2019," D'Silva said.
The conference will conclude with a forum where the panellists will discuss and identify the challenges and needs and see to the future of ELT in Malaysia.
D'Silva stressed that Jelta intends to provide a platform for teachers to disseminate knowledge and information related to the planning, organisation and management of language learning and teaching.