Plenary session by Jun Liu

This plenary session looks at recent trends and future needs in the ELT field.

About the session

ELT tomorrow

ELT tomorrow is today! What we think, what we do, and what we are inspired to change all have an impact on the future of the field. From language planning to curricula design, from methodology to assessment, from teacher development to learner characteristics, everything will be transformed to address the future needs of the field. In this plenary, Liu draws on the most recent data from his research via document analysis, surveys, and interviews to highlight salient patterns and themes that have evolved over the past few decades in the ELT field. Liu shares his analysis of the data, interpretation of its meaning, and speculation about the future trends with regard to research foci, teacher expectations, and emerging learning styles as English continues to play the role of a world language. Liu's conclusion, featuring the six abilities a competent English teacher should have for the next decade, will leave audience members reflecting on their own practice and anticipating the new direction of ELT.

About the speaker

Jun Liu is Associate Provost for International Initiatives and Senior International Officer at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. He supervises International Students and Scholars Services, Study Abroad Programs, International Initiatives and Partnerships, International Strategic Planning and Development, and Confucius Institute at GSU. Prior to this position, he was Professor and Head in the Department of English and Director of Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona. Dr Liu's research interests include language policy, globalization of language education, intercultural communication, curriculum and standards development, teacher education, and second language acquisition. He has published extensively in these areas. A Past President of TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a leading global association of English language teachers), he is now on the Board of Trustees of TIRF (The International Research Foundation in English Language Education), and Vice President of TCSOL (Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages). An international leader in language education, Dr Liu has been invited to give over 80 plenary speeches in over 30 countries and regions in the last decade.

Research and insight

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