GMS-TESOL Forum 2007
Teaching English as an International Language: A View from the Inside
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 Rationale:

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) is defined geographically by the path of the Mekong River. From its beginnings in the Tibetan highlands of China, the Mekong River flows through Yunnan Province of China, Laos PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia before it flows into the South China Sea from the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Since ancient times, this 4,000-kilometre-long river has been nurturing the diverse civilisations and cultures in the lands through which it flows, giving rise to a large-scale on-going socio-commercial exchange along the trans-Indochinese region. At the present time, with a combined population of over 240 million people, abundant natural resources, and increasing cross-border transport and commercial linkages, the GMS is not only a region of rising potential, but it is also playing an increasingly important role in various issuessuch as economics, politics, education and human resourcesall of which pertain to overall regional and continental development.
With the growth of the economy and human-resources development of the GMS countries, English is fast becoming adopted as the regions medium of communication. In order to cope with this growing demand for English-language proficiency, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), initiated a fellowship programme in the academic year 2004. The programme supported professors and graduate students who were interested and enthusiastically involved in the development and improvement of English-language teaching and learning.
As a follow-up to the fellowship programme, an international conference on English teaching and learning in GMS was held between September 16 and 18, 2005 at Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai Province. In this conference, notable professors and scholars from universities in GMS countries and from US universities/institutions were invited to MFU to give lectures on subjects pertaining to their areas of research or expertise related to TESOL/TEFL.

Determined to serve as an educational centre in the GMS, Mae Fah Luang University strongly considers it a policy to stage a GMS-TESOL Forum biennially in order to promote the regions progress in English learning and teaching innovations. In the academic year 2007,in collaboration with The Commission of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Thailand-United States Educational Foundation (TUSEF/Fulbright); the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, the Regional Institute of Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) and British Council, we will host our second GMS-TESOL Forum from 7 to 9 September at our campus in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Apart from trying to fulfill the following objectives, we intend this Forum to be part of our nations celebration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadejs 80th birthday anniversary.

This conference will place a major emphasis on the claim of English as an international language which has an impact on some scenarios of the English language teaching and learning itself. These scenarios are represented by the emergence of an English/international program at numerous institutions in ESL/EFL contexts, which enforces English as a primary medium of instruction. Additionally, English is used as a default language in international media as well as international public fora. Lastly, English is often adopted by gatekeepers as a determinant of education success and career opportunities.

The circumstances under which English is approached will be discussed in order for ELT professionals and stakeholders to share their views, to define their appropriate roles and to brainstorm for implementations and recommendations of ELT in the future.

Objectives:

• To showcase local research and discuss ways to improve English education for the GMS region
• To allow TESOL/TEFL experts in the region and other stakeholders to share and exchange ideas
• To facilitate greater cultural appreciation and understanding among the GMS countries
• To establish a connection of English language practitioners and provide an opportunity for foreign professors and students to get to know MFUs campus and facilities

Who should attend:

Expected number of participants is 200-250, including:

• Professors and teachers
• Language researchers
• Administrators of international programs
• College and post-graduate students interested in English Teaching and Learning
• Interested public

Sub-themes:

English as a medium of Instruction
Curriculum Development
Educational Technology
Language Testing
Teaching Methodology
Research in ELT/EMI/EIL
Cross-cultural communication
Linguistics and language acquisition
Self-access learning
Resources and material development
Teacher development
English for Specific Purposes

Conference Venue:

Mae Fah Luang Universitys Campus in Chiang Rai