The premier pedagogical event of The Saudi Association for English Language Education (Saudi TESOL) drew in over 700 national and international guests at a 5-hour landmark occasion on the 23rd of December.
Consecutive to the auspicious and formal inauguration on 10th December, when the Kingdom joined a network of more than 70 countries and regions worldwide with national TESOL associations, Wednesday's webinars were presented online by 3 accomplished ELT professionals bringing a wealth of experience to the several hundred national and international attendees, some joining from as far as Indonesia.
The keynote, Mr Jason Anderson, a multi-award-winning author, and consultant to national ministries of education, delivered an exploratory workshop on Project-based learning in Saudi universities.
In a second and related session, Mr Chris Taylor, a materials' writer for Macmillan and more recently of Cambridge Assessment, investigated Flipped Learning. These two theory-based webinars were in response to how the second-language teacher might help learners find the requisite intrinsic motivation for success in their language studies.
Ms Marie Willoughby, a teaching fellow at King's College London and teacher trainer at International House London, provided a practical contrast to her co-speakers with insight on how the language teacher can best engage learners online. Ms Willoughby's ideas and take-away materials personalizing content for learners' enjoyment proved popular -- most of those in attendance currently teaching through digital platforms while the pandemic endures globally.
Saudi TESOL resides at the English Language Institute at King Abdulaziz University. As such Dr. Turki Alsolami, the Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at the Institute formally welcomed guests, warmly hosting on behalf of Dr Abdullah Al-Bargi, the Dean of the English Language Institute and Chairman of the Saudi TESOL Founding Committee. Assisting the guest speakers was Mr Ian Dickie, also of the ELI, head of professional development.
Full videos are available below:
Project-based learning in Saudi Universities - Jason Anderson
Flipped learning in ELT - Chris Taylor
Practical ideas for encouraging learner enjoyment online - Marie Willoughby
