The VietTESOL International Convention 2018: English language education in the industrial revolution 4.0: meeting the needs of the dynamic labor market

From 12^th - 13^th of October, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) organized the VietTESOL International Convention 2018 in collaboration with the US Embassy and VietTESOL association. Professor Nguyen Hoa, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association for English language Teaching and Research, (VietTESOL Association) in his opening speech emphasized that "The theme of our Convetion is English language education in the industrial revolution 4.0: meeting the needs of the dynamic labor market, I cannot think of a more befitting place to hold this Convention than Hanoi University of Industry"

The Organizing Committee presenting certificates and flowers to keynote and featured speakers

This year's international convention attracted more than 400 experts, speakers, researchers, national and international lecturers. There were more than 50 guests representing organizations such as Regional English Language Office (RELO) - US Embassy to Vietnam, British Council in Vietnam, Dai Truong Phat Education Solutions, IIG Vietnam, University of Mississippi, Pearson Publishing House, Macmillan Education, Oxford University Press, Cengage Publishing House, MoET Publishing House, Cleverlearn and universities in Vietnam. Especially, 30 foreign speakers from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Canada, USA, the UK and Czech Republic appeared at the event. Attending the convention, on HaUI side, there was Dr. Bui Thi Ngan - Vice Rector, Dr. Hoang Ngoc Tue - Dean of Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​and more than 200 lecturers.

Professor Nguyen Hoa, President of VietTESOL Association delivering the opening speech

This convention was held with 165 papers, poster and tech-fairs presentations. Besides the 4 plenary sessions at the conference hall, there were 12 parallel sessions to discuss 3 topics: (1) Technology in teaching and learning English, (2) Teaching methods and assessment in teaching English and (3) English for Occupational Purposes.

The papers presented include the following contents:

i. Sharing international experience on the development of teaching and learning goals, curriculum, training contents, evaluation, training management model, and nurturing teachers.

ii. Analyzing the status of the development of learning and teaching goals, curriculum, training contents, evaluation, training management model, and nurturing English teachers.

iii. Proposing solutions to the development of learning and teaching goals, curriculum, training contents, evaluation, training management model, and nurturing teachers to meet the requirements of education reform in the context of international integration.

Dr. Bui Thi Ngan, Vice Rector of HaUI giving the welcome speech

At the plenary session, four keynote speakers presenting included: (1) Mr. David Kertzner, an English Language Training Specialist from RELO, the US Embassy in Vietnam with his presentation on “From University Classrooms to Company Training Rooms: A Path for EFL teachers and EFL Curriculum”, (2) Dr. Dang Tan Tin, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education, with the study “Learner Autonomy Promoting Practice: Constructivist Tasks in Virtual Learning Space”, (3) Associate Professor Margaret Kettle, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, with the theme “Written Corrective Feedback for Second Language Uptake and Learner Autonomy: Teacher and Student Experiences of Informing and Improving Practice” and (4) Dr. Tran Thi Duyen, Hanoi University of Industry, with a presentation on “Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives on English Language Requirements at Work: Concerns and Solutions”

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Tue, Dean of Foreign Languages, HaUI ​​receiving flag from the president of VietTESOL

On the afternoon of October 13th, the Closing Ceremony was held. All the certificates of merit and certificates of contribution were given to units and individuals participating in the VietTESOL International Convention 2018. The Organizing Committee highly appreciated Hanoi University of Industry, its careful preparation and favourable conditions to make the convention a success. The Organizing Committee also handed over the plaque to this year's organizer - Hanoi University of Industry and the host of the VietTESOL International Convention 2019 - University of Foreign Languages, Hue University.

HaUI, the host of this year VietTESOL International Convention 2018 has always paid great intention to improving English language proficiency for students, meeting the needs of employers and society. Since 2015, HaUI has implemented the new language training project for students in parallel with improving the academic standards of lecturers on professional competence, teaching methodologies and approaching advanced training models in the world. The foreign language training project at HaUI has been supported by the staff, lecturers and students of the university, achieving significantly important results in improving the quality of training and the English competence of students. More importantly, it is a fact that the training quality and the English performance of HaUI students have been currently highly appreciated by many organizations and enterprises.

Here are some photos of the VietTESOL convention:

Overview of the Opening Ceremony

British expert Phillip Warwick presenting his report at the parallel session

Experts, lecturers participating in a parallel session

Experts, speakers taking photo together at the Closing Ceremony of the VietTESOL International Convention 2018