International Conference on English for Occupational Purposes 2024: EOP Education - Empowering Learners for a Globalized Workforce

The International Conference on English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) 2024 recently convened at the Hanoi University of Industry, marking a significant gathering for educators, researchers, and policymakers invested in the evolving landscape of language education.

Overview of the conference

Co-organized by esteemed institutions including the School of Foreign Languages and Tourism at Hanoi University of Industry, the National Foreign Language Project Management Board, the Ministry of Education & Training, and the VietTESOL association, this event brought together a diverse array of perspectives and expertise under the theme "EOP Education - Empowering Learners for a Globalized Workforce".

The conference, spanning two days from April 13th to 14th, 2024, showcased the growing interest and importance of English language education tailored specifically for occupational purposes. The theme's resonance was evident in the submission of over 100 research articles from scholars and researchers across various educational institutions, reflecting a deep engagement with the challenges and opportunities in preparing learners for a globalized workforce.

The program was structured to facilitate comprehensive discussions on the current state and future trends in career-oriented English teaching. With three pre-conference workshops, five plenary reporting sessions, and eight parallel reporting sessions, attendees delved into key directions, encountered challenges, and proposed innovative solutions in the realm of career-focused English education.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Bong, Vice Rector of HaUI, extended a warm welcome to experts, speakers, researchers, and guests

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Bong, Vice Rector of HaUI, extended a warm welcome to experts, speakers, researchers, and guests, emphasizing the conference's significance in shaping the discourse and practices of English language education in occupational contexts.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huu, Head of the National Foreign Language Project Department at the Ministry of Education and Training, underscored the conference's alignment with broader national goals of enhancing foreign language proficiency in Vietnam. Such initiatives resonate with the country's aspirations to integrate seamlessly into the global economy and foster international collaborations.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huu underscored the conference's alignment with broader national goals of enhancing foreign language proficiency in Vietnam

One of the highlights of the conference was the participation of esteemed speakers renowned in the field of English language teaching. Notable figures such as Mr. Jerrold Frank, Chief Representative of the Regional English Language Office at the US Embassy in Vietnam; Dr. Tran Thi Duyen, Director of the Testing Center at Hanoi University of Industry; Mr. Ben Cook, Senior Assessment Manager at British Council EnglishScore; Ms. Sophie Falcon Lang and Mr. Ed Price from Oxford University Press; and Dr. Cao Thi Vien from Escuela Superior de Economía y Negocios University (ESEN) in El Salvador, shared their insights, experiences, and innovative approaches to enhancing the quality of career-oriented and specialized English teaching.

The conference's success and the breadth of topics discussed underscored the growing recognition of English for Occupational Purposes as a vital component of education, equipping learners with the linguistic and communicative skills necessary to thrive in today's interconnected and diverse professional environments.