The 18th BELTA-THT Teacher Development Conference, organized collaboratively by the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA), Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), University of Barishal, and Teachers Helping Teachers (THT) of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT), concluded successfully after an inspiring three-day event held on November 1, 2, and 4, 2024.
The conference included both virtual and onsite sessions, bringing together prominent educators, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing English language teaching in Bangladesh.
The conference opened with a virtual session on November 1 and continued onsite at Independent University Bangladesh on November 2. The final day, November 4, took place at Barishal University, Barishal. The hybrid format allowed for a broader reach, ensuring accessibility for a diverse group of attendees across the country.
The onsite event at IUB on November 2 featured esteemed guests, including Professor Bokhtiar Ahmed, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at IUB; Prof. Ahmed Bashir, Professor, Department of English at the University of Dhaka and President of BELTA; Dr. Patrick Dougherty, Team Leader of THT; Dr. Naureen Rahnuma, Head of the Department of English and Modern Languages, IUB; and Dr. Md Shaiful Islam, Convener of the 18th BELTA-IUB-THT Conference 2024. Their presence underscored the conference's importance in enhancing English language education in Bangladesh.
In his welcome speech, Prof. Ahmed Bashir, President of BELTA emphasized the pivotal role of English language teaching in today’s globalized world. He highlighted BELTA’s commitment to empowering educators with cutting-edge skills and fostering innovation in teaching practices. Prof. Bashir expressed gratitude to all participants and partners, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the BELTA-THT Conference in driving educational excellence in Bangladesh.
Md. Shahrear Talukder, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of English at Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology and an executive committee member of BELTA, served as the Master of Ceremony, guiding the sessions with professionalism and energy.
On November 4, Barishal University hosted the final leg of the conference, graced by Prof. Dr. Suchita Sharmin, Honorable Vice Chancellor of Barishal University, who extended a warm welcome to the participants.Prof. Dr. Rubina Khan, Immediate Past President of BELTA,Prof. Ahmed Bashir, President of BELTA, Dr. Md. Mohib Ullah, Associate Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, IIUC and General Secretary, BELTA,Zakia Sultana, Treasurer, BELTA were also present as the distinguished guests.
Throughout the conference, onsite sessions were led by international experts, including Prof. Dr. Patrick Thomas Dougherty, Prof. Dr. Josh Norman, Prof. Anne Howard, and Prof. Cecilia Silva. And the online facilitators were Prof Brent Jones, Prof Erin Mikulec who joined from the USA, and Sarah Lee-Sensei.Their workshops and presentations provided invaluable insights into contemporary, research-driven methods for effective English language teaching, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment.
The conference aimed to empower educators with innovative strategies, equipping them to meet the demands of English teaching in the dynamic landscape of the 21st century. With a focus on hands-on workshops and interactive discussions, the event encouraged teachers to embrace research-based approaches and creative methodologies in their classrooms.
This year’s BELTA-IUB-THT Conference successfully brought together a passionate community of educators, strengthening bonds and shared goals in advancing the quality of English language education in Bangladesh and beyond. BELTA, IUB, and THT look forward to further collaboration to drive positive change in language educationin Bangladesh and beyond.
D M Ohidul Islam Ome
