KK hosts 26th MELTA International Conference

IN encouraging greater critical assessment of global trends in English language education and how these trends translate into practice in local settings, the theme for the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA) International Conference this year is “New Directions in English Language Education: Global Trends and Local Innovations”.

The conference will be held at the TH Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, from Aug 28 to Aug 30.

Earlier, a series of pre-conference workshops themed “Sharing Your Stories on an International Platform” took place in Kudat, Sabah to gear towards preparation for the conference.

A total of 120 primary and secondary English language teachers, Sabah State Education officers, education officers from the Kudat District Education Offices as well as several principals, headmasters and headmistresses from the district of Kudat attended this event.

Special Tasks Minister of Sabah Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Teo Chee Kang who officiated the workshop said in his speech that all the teachers should seize this opportunity to share their English Language Teaching (ELT) classroom stories to the world through the conference.

“The conference will provide the platform for experts and practitioners to discuss, to explore and to comprehend varying policies and practices in the field which will eventually lead to a better understanding of the benchmark and best practices for the promotion of English language teaching specifically in the state of Sabah,” he added.

MELTA considers engagement with this theme critical, given recent developments in Malaysian English language education.

The Malaysian Education Blueprint and the English Language Roadmap sees the full scale adoption of the Common European Framework of

All the teachers should seize this opportunity to share their English Language Teaching (ELT) classroom stories to the world.

TEO CHEE KANG Special Tasks Minister for Sabah Chief Minister’s Department

References for languages as the mantra for benchmarking English language education in Malaysia, and this warrants reflection and deliberation.

Participants and presenters can share ideas and knowledge through paper presentations, workshops and poster sessions during the conference. Teachers also have the option of presenting in the Creative Teacher Showcase category, a unique presentation option which showcase teaching innovations or teaching simulations of effective methods and practices.

At the end of the conference, gold, silver and bronze winners are named for each category. Prizes include cash, a certificate of recognition and complimentary membership with MELTA.

Those interested to present at the conference or join as participants can visit http://conference.melta.org.my for details.