Clark to host 1st Tesol convention

Monday, November 22, 2010

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Education City (CEC) will hold the first "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages" (Tesol) convention on November 25 to 27.

The activity will be held inside CEC's campus amphitheater (former Clark Expo) in this Freeport, officials of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced.

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"We are honored to be part of the 1st International Tesol Convention in the Clark Freeport Zone. The event affirms the standing of Clark Freeport as investment and tourism destinations, and a catalyst for economic progress," CDC president Benigno Ricafort said.

The International Conference expects to draw at least 2,000 participants from the academe and call centers.

Tesol takes into account the various context and purposes for which English is learned and used.

A Tesol Certification is required for instructors teaching English overseas.

Kingsley Peter Clark, chief executive officer of Clark Education City, said the event is significant to CEC because it will provide a forum for participants to review current Tesol teaching practices, with particular focus on the Filipino context.

Clark said lectures will be conducted by international professors and recognized authorities on the latest developments and opportunities in the English teaching industry. One of the lecturers he mentioned was world-renowned Linguistics Professor and author, Rod Ellis.

Participants at this conference will have the opportunity to discuss and debate current issues in Tesol, explore new perspectives in teaching English as a Second Language and investigate networking opportunities available to them, Clark said.

"I see Clark International Convention for Tesol as the beginning of an ongoing process for the promotion and development of good teaching practices in the area of Second Language learning as well as an increasing awareness of the necessity of such professional qualifications," Clark said.

He said their local and overseas students are provided with a high standard of education based on skills recognition. This, he added, will integrate the students in the appropriate work environment.

Clark Education City is run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG).

"The CEC's partnership with Tesol Professional Group and the Asian EFL Journal International reflects our commitment to promote Central Luzon to the International Community as one of the country's best destinations for learning English," said Clark.

Professors and educators from English teaching faculties across the world will come to CEC to present their research findings and current and future teaching ideas.

Ricafort said the establishment of the CEC is a boon to investment, employment and education.

"Current and future teaching praxis that will be discussed in the course of the convention will redound to the benefit of local and overseas students, where the high standard of education will facilitate their integration into the appropriate work environment," the CDC president said.

He added that CDC will continue supporting CEC in making the Freeport a venue for development and pathway to success. (Reynaldo G. Navales)