Tashkent Faculty Present at International Conference on Education, Linguistics

Five faculty members from Webster University in Tashkent presented at the 2nd International Conference on Education and Linguistics: Energizing English Language Teacher Research and Practice. The event was hosted by Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) on May 21, 2021.

The Webster instructors presented on different topics related to how language teaching and learning research can contribute to effective teaching in practice. Dr. Vinodhini Reardon, director of the Webster Tashkent MA TESL program, discussed the concept of “alternatives” in assessment within the overall context of instructional goals and learning outcomes as they relate to ESL (English as a Second Language), EFL (English as a Foreign Language), and SPED (Special Education) populations. Her presentation focused on how alternatives in assessment can shape teaching or learning outcomes, especially when dealing with students who have special needs. The campus MA EDIN program coordinator, Rokhatoy Boltaeva, presented on the topic “Energizing EFL Learners on Creative Writing activities.”

ESL and TESL instructors Marija Kovac and Gulbakhor Mamadiyeva shared their knowledge on the topic, “Language Planning and Policy: bringing about the change you want to see.” They explained how proposal writing can create ground for innovation to move bottom-up.

For the faculty members, participation meant they not only shared their knowledge, but networked and learned the experience of others. “During the coffee break and lunchtime, we met with new people and had interesting discussions about education and teaching," Mamadiyeva said. "Overall, the conference was a meaningful [and] I was able to exchange knowledge and experience with colleagues from different parts of the world.”

The conference had more than 100 participants attending offline and 50+ joining online. Three international organizations were involved as well: the American Council, British Council, and RTI International Talks. Participants could choose among 30 parallel presentations and had the opportunity to hear two keynote speakers present via Zoom from abroad: Dr. Richard Smith from the University of Warwick, UK, and Penny Ur, known for her books for English teachers, such as Five-Minute Activities, and A Course in English Language Teaching.