Prof Richmond Stroupe of Soka University at the OpenTESOL International Conference 2019. Photo courtesy of the HCM City Open University. (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) -Developing global citizens has increasingly become a focus at tertiary,secondary and even primary levels of education, Prof Richmond Stroupe of SokaUniversity in Japan said at an international TESOL conference in Ho Chi MinhCity on May 26.
“Learners today are required tolearn independently and think critically,” said Stroupe, who has worked withuniversity and professional language learners from Asia since 1989.
Students should be able to uselarge amounts of information, understand cultural perspectives of others, havecritical thinking skills, and work collaboratively and in leadership positions,he said.
Stroupe spoke at the OpenTESOLInternational Conference 2019 on Innovation and Inspiration: Building theFuture of Language Education.
Many of these skills are nowbeing incorporated into education curricula that provide content throughEnglish-language instruction, which is increasing expectations placed onstudents and instructors alike, according to the professor.
“After graduation, prospectiveemployers of our graduates are no longer satisfied with only a higher level ofEnglish language proficiency, but also require additional skills that shape awell-rounded global citizen,” Stroupe said.
Teachers also need to overcomeobstacles when they teach these skills by using specific strategies, whichStroupe described in his presentation. These strategies can help them have theskills necessary for success within the global community.
The conference also highlightedthe importance of information technology in promoting independent learning, anddiscussed the psychology of learners, applied linguistics and assessment forteachers.
Tran Thi Huong, lecturer at HongBang International University in HCM City, said that information technology inthe form of internet sources enhanced students’ attitude and sense ofresponsibility for independent learning.
Creative methodologies forEnglish teaching such as Theater in Education, which is used at HCM City OpenUniversity, were also discussed at the event.
Nguyen Thuy Nga, chair of theOpenTESOL Conference Organizing Committee, said that new ways and ideas ofteaching would improve students’ learning and skills.
The two-day conference, which hasbeen organised by the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Graduate School of HCMCity Open University since 2012, attracted more than 200 administrators,university lecturers, and high school teachers. Postgraduate and undergraduatestudents from different international organisations and institutions alsoattended.
The conference shared ideas aboutpedagogical methods used in different learning and teaching contexts, andstrengthens ties between foreign language teaching communities in Vietnam andother nations.
All Vietnamese university studentsare required to take a foreign language.-VNS/VNA
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