1st International Symposium on English Language Teaching Practices in Higher Education Institutes
Event: 1st International Symposium on English Language Teaching Practices in Higher Education Institutes
Organizers:
- PakTesol (Central Punjab Chapter)
- Faculty of Languages and Literature, University of Central Punjab in collaboration with Regional English Language Office, U.S Embassy, Islamabad
Venue: University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Dates: December 1st & 2nd, 2022
Symposium Objectives:
Following were the proposed objectives to
- throw light on the latest trends in English language teaching in higher education institutes.
- identify the role of English language practitioners in the 21st
- clarify the barriers and constraints in different methodologies applied in classrooms.
- become knowledgeable about teacher professional learning, and the stages involved.
Learning Outcomes:
There participants were expected to
- understand the latest trends in English language teaching higher education institutes.
- demonstrate their own development as trainers (teachers of teaching) through multiple activities.
- elucidate different restraints in diverse methodologies applied in classrooms.
- explain different stages of professional learning.
Day 1
Thursday, Dec 1, 2022
The event started with the recitation of holy Quran and their translation. Welcome remarks were offered by Dr. Fehmida Sultana, Dean of Faculty of Languages and Literature; Introductory remarks by Dr. Muhammad Kamal Khan, Director PakTESOL; address by Dr. Nassar Ikram, Pro-Rector; and address by Chief Guest, Mr. Karl Rogers, Deputy Public Affairs, US Consulate, Lahore. The ceremony ended with distribution of souvenirs to the participants.
The first training session was by Dr Arshad Khan who conducted a training workshop entitled as ‘Translanguaging or Code switching: Busting the Myth’.
The second session comprised of a Panel discussion on Capacity Building for Language Teaching with the Subtheme of ‘Preparing Teachers for 21th Century Pedagogies’
Panelists:
Dr. Muhammad Kamal Khan: Associate Professor (English and Applied Linguistics), Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui: Former Vice Chancellor, Allama Iqbal Open University; Professor, Lahore School of economics
Dr. Arshad Ali Khan: Head of the Department of Linguistics and Communications, University of Management and Technology Lahore
Dr. Humaira Irfan: Associate Professor of English, University of Education, Lahore.
Dr. Umer Azeem: Assistant professor, Govt. College Township, Lahore; Trainer, PakTesol, RELO, Access
Moderator: Dr. Shafaat Yar Khan, FLL, UCP
The panel discussion was followed by a vigorous Q & A session with very pointed and focused questions from the audience. The questions particularly focused on how to adopt and adapt pedagogies to the recommendations of the panelists.
The session ended with the giving away of souvenirs by the Dean, Dr. Fehmida Sultana, and Dr. Baber Sultan Ali Khan, Head of the Department of English to panelists and organizers.
Day 2
Day two of the symposium started with an international Webinar on the Topic “Creating the Conditions for Classroom Interaction by Dr. Nikki Ashcraft, Associate Professor at University of Missouri. The second session on the topic “New Wine in Old Bottles; English Language Skills, Classroom Practices and Our Perennial Dilemmas” was led by Dr. Muhammad Habib Qazi, Associate Professor and Dicrector of English Language Centre (ELC) at UCP. The last session on the topic “Hitting Two Birds with One Stone: Language Teaching and Critical Thinking” was presented by Dr Muhammad Umer Azim. After the session, a closing ceremony took place in which Dr. Baber Sultan Ali Khan, Chairperson Department of English gave certificates to the Participants along with the chief guest Dr. Muhammad Kamal Khan.
