By Qundeel Aymen

RIYADH — Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Association of Language Teachers (KSAALT) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) — Riyadh Chapter held a mini conference to promote reflections and aspirations of the 21st Century English Language Teaching (ELT) in the Arab world.

It provided a platform to discuss and exchange ideas on the status of ELT, especially in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the mini conference addressed issues and challenges of ELT in this century.

The mini-conference was hosted by AlMustaqbal Schools here. It was attended by teachers, professors, researchers, administrators, and experts from schools and universities around Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Al-Khobar, Dammam, Jeddah, and Yanbu.

The event began with recitation of verses from Surah Al Rahman. It was then followed by Dr. Noorchaya Yahya’s (KSAALT-TESOL-RC representative) warm welcome and gratitude to the host, presenters and participants.

KSAALT-TESOL President, Dr. Jad Michaelson presided over the event and spoke about the organization’s history, founders and other chapters (Yanbu, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Jazan, Abha) around KSA.

The plenary speaker, Dr. Othman Barnawi, managing director of Yanbu Technical Institute at the Royal Commission Colleges and Institutes, in his eloquent speech on “TESOL and the cult of speed under the neoliberal governmentality” suggested the need for TESOL educators to reexamine the status quo within the field.

He expressed his genuine appreciation of the KSAALT-RC’s effort in hosting an insightful mini-conference. Through the presentations and discussions in the conference, so many innovative ideas in the field of ELT were aired, Barnawi added.

The mini-conference was packed with concurrent sessions of 5 paper presentations, 6 workshops and one plenary session, and exhibitions displayed by Oxford University Press, Master English, National Geographic Publishers and Language Learning and Teaching Research Group (LLTRG).

Ms. Terrie Craddock, Oxford University Press, in her talk, focused on the “Effective Use of Teaching Tools in the 21st Century”. Ms. Zaheer, from Prince Sultan University, talked about the “Creativity: Do you have it in your classroom?”, and Dr. Jihan Albayati and Ms. Kim Abdullah, ESL lecturers from Dar Al-Hekma University, Jeddah – both spoke about “Active Learning: Increase Learning Through Student Engagement”.

Ms. Bushra Latif, head trainer at Master English, very energetically in her workshop expounded on the topic of “Integration of Task-based learning (TBL) into EFL Classroom”, and her presentation was well-received and appreciated by the audience.

Qundeel Aymen, ELT practitioner and freelance writer, motivated the attendees on the “Use of poetry and literature in ELT”. Georgios Kormpas, from Al Yamamah University, challenged the audience with this topic — the “Disruptive Technology: Should Technology be used in the classroom?” Ms. Maria Zaheer, from PSU, expressed her views on “RCR: Pedagogical aspects of teaching.”

Dr. Akbar Ali, assistant professor from Dar Al Uloom University, shared his ideas on the topic of “Teaching Speaking: Common Challenges and Solutions”. Ms. Taiseer Mirghani, from British Council, delivered a workshop about assessments on the topic of “Teaching Grammar: Understanding Grammar in Context”, and Kareem Debes, from the British Council, conducted a workshop on “Wider Varieties of ESL Games and Activities.”

Ms. Shumaila Zupash, an ELT practitioner, conveyed her notion on “Application of Task-Based Instruction in ESP based tourism Courses”, whereas, Fayyaz Malik, an EFL instructor from Al Yamamah University, highlighted his views and findings on the subject of “Arab EFL Learners’ English Spelling Errors: Causes and Solutions.”

The host, AlMustaqbl’s administrator, Elhajj Hamedto, in his concluding remarks mentioned that this mini-conference has created a hallmark in the ELT field in Riyadh and has left a positive impact on the attendees. He asserted that a conference such as this should be held continuously to support language teachers’ professional development in the region.

Dr. Noorchaya thanked her team members — Dr. Safaa Sec., Debbie Olsen Treasurer, Fayyaz and Eman Mohamed — members at large along with presenters and participants for allocating some time out of their busy schedule to attend and share their opinions and views about ELT in this mini-conference. She also thanked the hosts AlMustaqbal Schools for their support in providing the venue for the mini conference.

Plaques of appreciation were awarded to the plenary speaker Dr. Barnawi, ElHajj on behalf of Salman Alakl (owner of AlMustaqbal Schools) and Ms. Deborah Olsen, who represented Dr. Matheus Goosen, acting dean of College of Science and General Studies — Al Faisal University. Also, certificates were presented to the participants and attendees of the conference. Four fortunate individuals won raffle draws of free membership and some token gifts sponsored by National Geographic Publishers.