HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM – The Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (USSH VNUHCM) and the Language Academy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) collaborated to organise the 7th International Conference on English Language Teaching (ICELT2024). The conference focused on the theme “Glocalization and ELT” and was held on August 30-31, highlighting the fusion of global and local perspectives in English language teaching.
The programme attracted nearly 300 participants, including scholars, educators, and researchers from a wide array of countries—such as Poland, Japan, United Kingdom, Thailand, Morocco, Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada and Germany.
The two-day event was packed with academic sessions, featuring five plenary talks, a Vietnam-Malaysia symposium, and three parallel tracks where dozens of presenters shared their expertise in various subfields of English language teaching (ELT). Participants were exposed to fresh perspectives on classroom teaching, curriculum design, and educational technologies that are shaping the future of ELT.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the Vietnam-Malaysia Symposium, where representatives from UTM’s Language Academy presented insightful research and innovative approaches in English language education. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadina Habil, Chair of Language Academy, led the session with a thought-provoking presentation titled “Introducing Intercultural Communication through Virtual Classroom”. Dr. Hadina explored the dual benefits of exposing students to intercultural communication: raising students’ awareness of different cultural perspectives and providing instructors with insights into developing relevant content for international virtual classrooms. She emphasized that this approach could serve as a foundation for joint international classes, thereby strengthening cross-border collaborations in education.
Dr. Norhanim Abdul Samat delved into the emerging intersection of digital culture and education with her presentation, “Embracing Digital Culture: Exploring the Educational Possibilities of TikTok”. Highlighting how TikTok, the globally popular short-form video platform, can be leveraged as an educational tool, Dr. Norhanim demonstrated how various forms of instructional content on the app align with the VARK model (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic learning styles). Her research showed that TikTok holds immense potential for enhancing students’ English language proficiency while encouraging creative and engaging learning methods.
Concluding the session, Dr. Abdullah Mohd Nawi presented his work titled “Aligning Language Testing and Evaluation with CEFR: Insights from Malaysia”. Dr Abdullah shared insights into Malaysia’s adoption of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as a standard for language testing and evaluation. His presentation underscored the evolving landscape of language assessment in Malaysia and offered valuable takeaways for educators looking to align their testing practices with international standards.
The symposium underscored the deepening relationship between UTM and USSH VNUHCM, solidifying a partnership that has been growing over the years. In fact, UTM and USSH VNUHCM have signed a Letter of Collaboration, with plans to formalize their relationship further through a Memorandum of Understanding in the near future.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, both institutions have been at the forefront of creating online global classrooms, involving over 200 students in collaborative learning experiences. The introduction of joint virtual classrooms has allowed students to engage with peers from different cultural backgrounds, fostering a global learning environment.
In 2023, USSH VNUHCM’s Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature visited UTM’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities for an academic and cultural exchange. The visit, led by the Dean, included student delegates and served as a vital step in strengthening academic and cultural ties between the two institutions. With both universities committed to promoting globalized education, the future holds exciting prospects for enhanced collaboration.
The collaboration between UTM and USSH VNUHCM through ICELT2024 signifies a vital step toward strengthening cross-border partnerships. By strengthening academic ties, sharing innovative research, and promoting intercultural understanding, both institutions are paving the way for future advancements in academia. Full report of ICELT2024 can be found on this link https://hcmussh.edu.vn/nva/icelt2024. Photos of activities between the two universities are available on FSSH Facebook Page, Humanities@UTM.
Photo credit: ICELT2024 USSH VNUHCM