Education is a cornerstone of national development. Egypt’s commitment to educational advancement was underscored by its hosting of the 8th annual Africa ELTA (English Language Teaching Association) conference. Themed “Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives in ELT,” the event is a pivotal platform for the continent’s education and English language teaching communities.
The Africa ELTA (English Language Teaching Association) conference rotates annually among African nations. Previous host countries include Sudan, Rwanda, Senegal, Nigeria, and Angola. Egypt proudly assumed the role of host for the 2024 event.
This prestigious gathering brought together English language instructors from around the globe to exchange ideas, share best practices, and acquire the skills needed to empower English learners in an increasingly interconnected world. The conference was jointly organised by the University of Hertfordshire (UH) and hosted by the Global Academic Foundation (GAF) in Egypt.
Associate Dean of Academic Services at University of Hertfordshire Dr RamyShabara told The Egyptian Gazette that the aim of the conference is to equip those who are interested and concerned with teaching English as a second or foreign language with the latest findings of research, so that they enhance learners’ development.
The outcomes of ELTA Conference will help teachers improve their profession and subsequently help their students learn better, Shabara said.
Notably, the Pre-Conference Event (PCE) on May 30, 2024, was organized to highlight the Africa ELTA vision of supporting classroom teachers in creating context-appropriate materials. The event focused on training for ELT materials development in the African context, and it also showcased success stories and challenges related to developing original teacher-created materials in African ELT settings.
Shabara said the next edition of the conference will be organised under the supervision of UH GAF.
The conference delved into a broad spectrum of topics, including professional learning networks for African teachers, student-centered approaches in African ELT classrooms, and curriculum development. Additionally, research papers explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into language learning and teaching, as well as strategies for teaching large and under-resourced classes.
Intercultural education in the English classroom, language assessment, technology integration in the African language classroom, gender and inclusion issues in education, justice in education policy, and teaching English in multilingual settings are the most important topics that were discussed during the event. Distinguished keynote speakers and experts from around the world shared their insights and experiences, offering valuable perspectives on the latest trends and methodologies in English language teaching.
Dr Khaled Elebyary, a lecturer in the Department of Education at University of York, UK, discussed the recent development in the area of AI (particularly ChatGPT).
This AI-operated tool has attracted the attention of students, teachers and researchers in the field of L2 teaching and learning.
University of Hertfordshire -hosted by Global Academic Foundation GAF is committed to advancing English language education in Africa and beyond, providing a platform for educators to contribute to the field. By hosting this conference, the university aimed to strengthen the network of English instructors, promote excellence in teaching, and empower educators to shape the future of English language education worldwide.
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