JELTA closes its 10th English conference with a burst of new spirit
The Johor English Language Teaching Association (JELTA) concluded their 10th English Conference at New York Hotel, Johor Bahru on the 29th July 2019, on a high note with special guest renowned author and activist, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi.
Also present at the closing ceremony were the Deputy Head of Academic Sector Johor State Education Department, Shahilon Abd Halim, JELTA President, Vincent D’Silva, teachers, students and other guests.
Parallel to the conference’s theme of “Multiple Perspectives in the Teaching and Learning of English as a Second Language”, Marina in her special address as an author, columnist and social activist, told her story on how going back to learning creative writing formally helped her discover the need to be critical on what we have consumed daily. She also encouraged teachers to pass on the importance to read and write, taking examples of how the world gets to know popular countries like China and India because of the books that were written by their local authors.
Nik Nazmi brought up the importance of learning and teaching the English language to equip teachers, tutors, and anyone who are in charge to teach or lead in the language department and most importantly for the next generation. He cited that the English language has remained the main medium of communication including educational materials like journals, periodicals, text books and many more. Taking example from neighbouring country, Singapore, he talked about the importance to strengthen the core of national school’s education and becoming the first choice for parents to enroll their children into.
One plenary and 2 workshop were held on the final day of the conference and it officially closed after a session of group photography and handing out the token of appreciation to the special invited guests.
