LaoTESOL Conference

19th LaoTESOL International Conference

"Innovative Approaches to ELT: Teaching Methods and Assessment"

February 6 - 7, 2025

Xomview Convention Hall and Restaurant, Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR

https://laotesol.nuol.edu.la

WELCOME TO LAOTESOL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

LaoTESOL is the principal body driving professional development in Laos. The series of annual LaoTESOL Conferences have been highly considered as significant events for the majority of teachers of English nationwide and regionally for 19 years. Responding to the needs of the TESOL community, LaoTESOL continues its commitment to uphold this long-standing legacy and look forward to the future. The conference draws up to 300 attendees and continue to grow. It offers a forum for English language professionals to share ideas, practices, network, and gain insights from other cultures.

The upcoming LaoTESOL International Conference is scheduled to take place on February 6-7, 2025, in the picturesque town of Vang Vieng. The theme for this year is "Innovative Approaches to ELT: Teaching Methods and Assessment," focusing on cutting-edge strategies that enhance English language teaching and assessment. This conference serves as a vibrant platform for sharing innovative ideas, research findings, and best practices in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT). The conference will feature a variety of sessions, including plenary sessions, hands-on workshops, parallel presentations, and poster sessions, with an amazing line-up of internationally recognised speakers, providing ample opportunities for professional development and networking.

Participants can expect to engage with a diverse community of ELT professionals, explore novel teaching methodologies, and learn about the latest technological integrations in the classroom. The conference also offers a chance to experience the rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty of Laos, making it a truly unique and enriching event.

We really hope you have an incredibly fun and professionally inspirational conference, regardless of whether you are a LaoTESOL Conference regular or a first-time attendee. Additionally, you are cordially invited to participate in this significant event as a speaker and submit an abstract.

For more information about the event, kindly visit our official website: https://laotesol.nuol.edu.la. Join us in shaping the future of English language education!

Keynote Speakers

Latsanyphone Soulignavong, Ph.D.

Head of Academic Division, Faculty of Letters, the National University of Laos

E-mail: kattatiya2014@gmail.com

Latsanyphone Soulignavong, a lecturer of English, has been teaching English at the Department of English, Faculty of Letters (FLE), the National University of Laos (NUOL) for nearly three decades. Her major is English language teaching, testing, evaluation and school organization and administration. She is also interested in doing research in language education. English teaching, cross cultural awareness, communication in the workplace, and other related to her field. She holds her M.A. both in Australia and Japan. She also holds her Ph.D. in Educational Science from Minho University in Braga, Portugal in 2017.

Professor Jack C. Richards

Professor Jack C. Richards (Ph.D, Université Laval, Quebec) has had an active career in the Asia Pacific region and has held chair professorial positions at the University of Hawaii, City University of Hong Kong, and the University of Auckland. He is currently an honorary professor in the faculty of education at the University of Sydney He has also had a long association with the Regional Language Centre in Singapore. He has written over 150 books and articles on language teaching as well as many widely used classroom texts. His recent publications include articles on language teacher identity and English Medium Instruction.

Professor Jack Richards also has active interests in music and the arts. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate of literature by Victoria University, Wellington, for his services to education and the arts and also received the Award for Patronage from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. The International TESOL organization honored Jack Richards as one of the 50 TESOL specialists worldwide to have made a significant impact on language teaching in the last 50 years.

He is renowned for his contributions to English language teaching, having authored numerous professional books and widely used textbooks, including the best-selling Interchange series. His work has been translated into multiple languages, making a global impact on language education.

Professor Jack Richards is also an active speaker at conferences and workshops, sharing his expertise with educators worldwide. You can learn more about his work and contributions on his official website: www.professorjackrichards.com.

Sharon Torkelson

Sharon Torkelson is an American educator and a first year English Language Fellow at the National University of Laos. A dedicated language educator with more than 20 years’ experience teaching in the U.S. education system, Sharon is passionate about empowering teachers with engaging and effective classroom strategies that foster fluency and proficiency in language learning. Fluent in English and Spanish, Sharon’s undergraduate studies focused on foreign language education and second language acquisition. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida.

In 2022 Sharon accomplished lifelong goal, becoming a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia. During her service, she partnered with Colombia’s National Ministry of Education to provide professional development support for English teachers through curriculum design, teacher training, and classroom teaching demonstrations.

Influenced by the pedagogy of TPRS Founder Blaine Ray and the second language acquisition research of Dr. Stephen Krashen, Sharon is an advocate for acquisition driven instruction through storytelling and comprehensible input. As Director of World Languages for Viera Charter school, she initiated the transition from grammar-based instruction to communicative teaching practices through comprehensible input and storytelling. In 2021, she was awarded Best in Conference by the Florida Foreign Language Association for her presentation Breaking up with your Textbook.

Professor Alastair Graham-Marr

Alastair Graham-Marr has taught for 32 years. He is a recently retired professor at the Tokyo University of Science. His main research areas include how to best teach listening, and also how to best develop student motivation. He is also fluent in Japanese. In addition to his research, he is also a well-published author.

Vang Vieng, the host location for LaoTESOL International Conference 2025

Nestled along the Nam Song River and surrounded by dramatic limestone karst mountains, Vang Vieng has become a popular destination for travelers seeking outdoor activities, relaxation, and cultural exploration.