Background

The “English in South-East Asia” Conference series has been held annually since 1996. The series are the result of collaboration between the National Institute of Education (Singapore), the University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), the University of Brunei Darussalam, Curtin University of Technology (Perth, Australia), Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City, the Philippines), Hong Kong Baptist University, Sanata Dharma University (Yogyakarta, Indonesia), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, and Waikato University, New Zealand. Each country has taken annual turns in organising the conferences. Previous ESEA conferences have been held in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia. This 12th conference in the series will be held by King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok Thailand in 2007.

Conference Themes

• SE Asian varieties of English
With the use of English increasing in South-East Asia, evidence of varieties of English specific to the region has emerged. The best-known regional variety is Singaporean English but other national and local varieties also exist. This sub-theme examines the varieties of English, as used both by proficient speakers and by learners, in South-East Asia.

• The role of English in education
The demand for learning English in South-East Asia, and indeed throughout the world, is high. This sub-theme examines the role of English in both private and public education as a subject to be learnt and as a medium of instruction. Focuses of papers in this sub-theme include language planning and policy, bilingual education and the goals of English language teaching.

• English in occupational genres
With English playing such a prominent role in the workplace, many jobs now require English communicative abilities. Papers in this sub-theme explore the use of English in the workplace by investigating occupational genres requiring English. Focuses include occupational language needs analysis, workplace communication and support for occupational uses of English.

• English in the new technologies
The new technologies, such as the Internet and mobile phones, utilise English more than any other language. This sub-theme examines the nature of English used in these new technologies, web-based and mobile English language learning, and the impact of future technological trends on English use and learning.

• Language and culture
Language and culture interact to such an extent that they are inseparable. In this sub-theme, issues concerning language and culture will be examined, including the nature of culture and its relationship with language, the teaching of culture, and context-specific cultures such as business and classroom cultures.

• Critical approaches in analysing English
The prominent role played by English in areas such as advertising, politics and journalism means that understanding how English can be used in showing and forming beliefs and perspectives is crucial. Such understanding is the goal of critical approaches to analysing English, and the theories, methods and applications of critical approaches will be explored in this sub-theme.

• Lifelong learning of English
With the role of English in work, study and, indeed, everyday life continuing to expand, it is important for educationalists to promote abilities for continual lifelong learning of the language. This sub-theme explores the promotion of lifelong learning of English, including non-formal English education, language learner autonomy and classroom-based training for lifelong learning.

Dates and Venue

The conference will be held from December 12th -14th , 2007 at School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)

 

Submission of abstracts

Download the proposal form Word (.doc) and fill in the information. Submit the form as an e-mail attachment to Richard Watson Todd by July 31, 2007.

 

 

Important dates

Deadline for the submission of the abstract: July 31, 2007
(acknowledged within a week of receiving it)

 

Deadline for pre-registration: December 7, 2007

Notification of Acceptance: August 31, 2007

 

 

Conference fees

Registration fee includes a conference pack, lunches, morning and afternoon tea, and a cultural night:

Local speakers Bht 2,500   Speakers from *member countries $US 80   International speakers $US 100           Pre-registration       Local participants Bht 2,800   Overseas participants $US 120   Students Bht 2,000   or $US 80           Onsite registration Bht 3,000   or $US 130

*Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Philippines