Forthcoming Event: 2011 TESOL China Symposium on July 8th, 2011

The 2011 TESOL China Symposium, sponsored by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) and undertaken by Beijing Normal University (BNU) School of Foreign Language and Literature, will take place July 7th and 8th, 2011at Beijing Normal University. The theme of this year s symposium is to improve the sustainable development of English teachers through a discussion of innovative teaching and research.
I. Background Information of the Symposium
In addition to an annual TESOL Convention which is held in the United States, TESOL holds symposiums selectively in other countries or areas. Each year, TESOL delves into discussions about topics of interest to local participants. Following consultations with the BNU School of Foreign Language and Literature, TESOL decided to host the 2011 TESOL China Symposium at Beijing Normal University in July.
II. Topic for Discussion
The topic of the symposium is to improve the sustainable development of English teachers through innovative teaching and research. English education in China is developing rapidly and experiencing an all-round transformation. English teachers are key to the development of quality English education. The professional development of English teachers requires: the support of a scientific foreign language education policy; an environment for sustainable, optimized English education; the motivation for innovative teaching and research; and a platform for communication and study. The symposium will build a platform for students and teachers at relevant universities and academic organizations to communicate and study. The topics that the symposium draws up will include:
Professional Development for English Teachers
Language Education Policy and Planning
Skill-Based Innovative Teaching
Reflective Studying and Teaching
Independent Studying and Teaching
Optimized Applications of Technology in English Education
Usage of Innovative English Teaching Materials
Effective Evaluation of Teaching and Study
Classroom-Based Teaching Research
Writing and Publishing of Academic Theses
III. Form of the Symposium
The symposium will adopt a variety of forms in order to highlight the theme and to improve its effectiveness, including: pre-symposium workshops, participation and discussions, and special topic discussions. All the presenters will be specially invited by the symposium, and other participants will join in the discussions (after each section) but will not read their theses. The majority of participants in the symposium are English teachers in elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools, English education researchers, and others who are interested in English education.
To guarantee the quality of the symposium, all the presenters are highly prestigious English educators. The experts who have accepted the invitation are Donald Freeman David Nunan David Graddol Peter Grundy Jun Liu Christine Coombe Wang Qiang Cai Jiang and Cheng Xiaotang, among others. The president of TESOL and key members in the board of directors will participate in the symposium. Famous international language education publishers and academic organizations are also invited.
IV. The Agenda of the Symposium (draft)
Schedule
July 8
8:00 am Registration and exhibits open
9:00 am 12:00 pm Pre-conference workshops (3 concurrent workshops)
12:00 pm 2:00 pm Lunch/networking/exhibits
2:00 pm 4:30 pm Opening Ceremony/Welcome
Plenary Session 1
Theme: Teacher Development (2 speakers)
4:30 pm 4:50 pm Tea break
4:50 pm 6:00 pm 4 concurrent sessions and discussion groups
6:00 pm 7:30 pm Dinner/networking
July 9
9:00 am 10:45 am Plenary session 2
Theme: Language Policy (2 speakers)
10:45 am 11:00 am Tea break
11:00 am 12:10 pm 4 concurrent sessions and discussion groups
12:10 pm 1:30 pm Lunch/networking/exhibits
1:30 pm 3:50 pm Plenary session 3
Theme: Innovative Teaching and Research (3 speakers)
3:50 pm 4:10 pm Tea break
4:10 pm 5:00 pm Summary and closing ceremony
V. Other Information
(I) Participant Fee
Application before June 22th, 2011: 700 per person ($105 per person), including one-year-long TESOL Global Membership
(1) Application after June 22th, 2011: 800 per person ($120 per person), including one-year-long TESOL Global Membership
(II) Method of Payment
(1)You can pay on the TESOL website via credit card:
www.tesol.org/chinasymposium
(2) Those who choose postal remittance need to wire the participant fee before June 22, 2011 to:
Fen Fang
School of Foreign Language and Literature
Beijing Normal University
Beijing, 100875
Please do not mail the postal remittance after June 22th.
(III) Way of Enrollment
(1) You can apply to participate on the website: http://www.tesol.org/chinasymposium
(2) You can also apply to participate by sending us an email with the application form to: TESOL_Symposium@bnu.edu.cn
(IV) Contacts
TESOL Inc.:
Email: edprograms@tesol.org
Phone: +1-703-518-2528
Beijing Normal University:
Email: TESOL_Symposium@bnu.edu.cn
Website of the symposium:
www.tesol.org/chinasymposium
Download this notice at: http://www.sfll.bnu.edu.cn