'Our impression of the BELTA-AIUB-THT English teaching conference last year at AIUB was of 'professional development, friendship, community, learning, and moments of pure joy, more precisely, to quote Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca's closing scene: last year's conference was, "...the beginning of a beautiful friendship" which, I believe, has gloriously continued among all of us.' These are the words of Dr. Patrick Dougherty, leader of the THT delegation last year, who is leading the THT team for the second consecutive time in AIUB.
After a tremendously successful 'BELTA-AIUB-THT English Language Teaching Seminar 2009' last year, AIUB's Department of English organized it for the second consecutive time on 2-3 July, jointly with Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA). THT, the Japan-based forum called 'Teachers Helping Teachers', provided two eminent resource persons Dr. Patrick Dougherty, a Dubai-based English language trainer, and Dr. Steve Cornwell, an Oska-based linguist.
Seventy (70) English teachers from schools, colleges and universities participated in various multidimensional workshops and roundtable sessions. The preparations were supervised by Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean of AIUB's Arts & Social Science Faculty, who remarked, 'Developing professional efficiency of the English teachers at all levels and helping them insert creativity in teaching and classroom management is the prime target of this seminar. As part of its socio-educational commitment, AIUB is ever-ready to extend its hand for any sort of faculty-development programmes like this.'
The theme of this mega event was "Bringing Innovations into the ELT Classrooms". Topics of some interesting sessions were: 'Student Heritage in the EFL Classroom', 'Grammar Dictation and Other Grammar Fun', 'Vocabulary Learning: Theory and Techniques', 'Using the Native Culture to Teach the Target Language', 'Preparing Students for Exams', 'Classroom Assessment Techniques: CATs', 'Classroom Management: A Velvet Approach' etc.
The certificate-awarding ceremony was held on 3 July at 5 pm in the study room of Campus-7. Prof. Dr. Anwar Hossain, Pro Vice Chancellor of AIUB, attended the ceremony and distributed certificates among the participants and the volunteers. The program also featured a multicultural event performed by university students from USA (who came on a cultural exchange programme) and the foreign students of AIUB, and to the pleasant surprise of all, the Dr. Charles Villanueva and English faculties Ms. Soheli Akter and Debasish Biswas, whose rendering fascinated everyone.
Massive thanks go to the AIUB management, especially to the Vice Chancellor Dr. Carmen Zita Lamagna, for her unique, relentless support for making this entire event a grand success. The participants rightly echoed their appreciation towards AIUB for managing such a big event in a flawless, professional manner.
Partnerships
