Minister of Education inaugurates the 18th annual TESOL Arabia Conference 2012 at Dubai Women’s College

His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Minister of Education, inaugurated today the 18th Annual TESOL Arabia Conference 2012 at Dubai Women’s College, a Higher Colleges of Technology flagship institution.

The Conference, which is held this year under the theme “Achieving Excellence through Life Skills Education”, allows participants to explore the ways in which English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and educators adapt to changes in their workplace and society to become better teachers.

In his opening speech, Al Qatami stressed the need of having teachers more open to new ideas and technologies that shape the world today.

He further added: “We wish you great success as you work together to discuss and debate ideas, promote further research, and provide opportunities for professional development for all workers in the field.”

The three-day conference tackles a wide range of topics that touch on aspects of an English language educator’s personal and professional life.  More than 250 concurrent sessions featuring locally-based experts are attending the conference from 8-10 March 2012. 

Dr. Christine Coombe, TESOL Arabia Co-chair said:  “The TESOL Arabia Annual conference is one of the premier TESOL affiliate conferences in the world and this year’s event will be no exception.  The quality of the invited speeches and parallel sessions is unequalled in the region.”

TESOL Arabia Plenary speakers come from a range of international contexts.  They include:  Jim Scrivener (Bell International, UK), Andy Curtis (Anaheim University, USA), Dave Allan (Norwich Institute for Language Education), Jane Revell (UK), Jeremy Harmer (The New School, USA), Joe McVeigh (Middlebury College, USA), Keith Folse (University of Central Florida, USA), Rod Bolitho (Norwich Institute of Language Education) and Christine Coombe (Dubai Men’s College, UAE). 

 “The amount of professional development work being done in the Gulf region is exceptional and TESOL Arabia is a leader in this arena.  I have long looked forward to sharing my insights with teachers in the UAE and beyond,” said Jim Scrivener, Opening Plenary Speaker.

Pre-conference development courses were held on March 7th featuring topics like teaching and learning through the arts, personalized professional development and teaching and learning online.  Development courses also made up part of the TESOL Arabia Conference program.  Courses taking place during the conference include: Achieving Excellence through Life Skills Education and Young Learners.

An exhibition that showcases new and innovative books and software is held on the sideline of this conference. In addition to that, the 2012 Conference will also continue to offer a comprehensive Job Fair, which will once again bring together job seekers and the major recruiting organizations in the region. Looking for qualified candidates to fill a variety of posts, including some positions that are filled onsite, the TESOL Arabia Job Fair retains its position as the premier employment opportunity for both recruiters and job seekers in the EFL teaching profession.