TESOL practitioners at a two-day international symposium that wrapped up yesterday (December 4) in HCM City. VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — Domestic and international TESOL practitioners exchanged information about English language teaching skills in the new technology era at a two-day international symposium that wrapped up on Friday in HCM City.

The symposium on "Advancing Knowledge and Skills in Teaching English in Industry 4.0 among TESOL Practitioners in Việt Nam” attracted nearly 70 English specialists and teachers in the southern region and international TESOL practitioners.

“With the development of technology, English language teachers nowadays can design very interesting lessons for the students. With technology, students’ motivation and engagement can be enhanced clearly in the classroom as well as outside the classroom," said Hồ Thanh Mỹ Phương, director of SEAMEO Regional Training Center (SEAMEO RETRAC).

“Especially this year, since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, technology has played an even more important role to make sure students can continue learning even when they can not go to school,” Phương said.

“Under this situation, the teacher’s ability to use technology for teaching is very necessary. However, research findings indicate that many teachers of English, especially in remote provinces and districts, are still struggling using technology for teaching. During social distancing, online learning was impossible or not effective at many schools,” she added.

Jerrold Frank, Regional English Language Officer at the US Embassy in Việt Nam, said English language skills in Việt Nam are in high demand, especially since English is the official language of ASEAN.

Teaching and learning in Việt Nam are often exam-oriented, he said, adding that school students still have difficulty communicating in English.

Teachers need additional training to improve their own language proficiency and instructional approaches, he said.

The US Department of State, via the Consulate General in HCM City and the Regional English Language Office in Hà Nội, provides academic scholarships and professional development opportunities for hundreds of students, teachers, and work professionals every year, including the English Access Microscholarship programme, Online Professional English Network programme, and Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement programme.

Rayhan Khayr Hamad with the Asian International School (AIS), said that language teachers should not only prepare students to communicate with the rest of the world, but also to become globally competitive and productive citizens of the country.

The event organised by SEAMEO RETRAC aims at updating participants with innovative knowledge and skills in English language teaching in Industry 4.0 and explore innovative solutions that will work in the participants’ own environment to achieve improved student outcomes.

It is also aims to build a community of practice and strengthen the network among TESOL practitioners to promote the application of innovative English language teaching in Industry 4.0. —VNS