Rawalpindi, The Islamabad Chapter of the Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) concluded its 26th SPELT International Annual Conference in collaboration with the Oxford University Press and Fatima Jinnah Women University here on Monday.

In the three-day conference, more than 70 international and national experts delivered lectures and conducted workshops on various aspects of English language teaching. It provided an opportunity to the English language teachers to benefit from the internationally renowned scholars. The conference also included an IT Village by British Council, a book launch by the Oxford University Press and a book exhibition by renowned publishers.

In the opening session, SPELT Coordinator Dr. Umar Farooq welcomed the presenters and participants and explained the theme of the conference.

Noreen Mirza presented a review of the academic activities of SPELT, explaining that seven academic sessions were held in the previous year. She talked about the future endeavours of SPELT highlighting its importance as a forum for professional development of English language teachers. She mentioned that the recommendations of this conference would be presented to the government in order to bring a positive change in the current scenario of English language teaching in Pakistan.

Professor Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Arts at FJWU, addressed the audience and mentioned that she has been a member of SPELT since its inception. She expressed the hope that after attending the conference, the participants would go back as more aware professionals.

Sohail Barki, representative of the Oxford University Press, welcomed the participants and underlined the importance of the conference as a platform for personal and professional growth for English language teachers.

He stressed on the need for upgrading textbooks in order to raise the standard of education.

Nabeel Alvi, a British Council representative, thanked SPELT and Fatima Jinnah Women University for hosting the conference and looked at it as an agent of development and change in English language teaching. He talked about the role of British Council in the development of English language teaching, as two hundred sessions were held in different parts of the country in the past year.

He also talked about the IT Village, which was organised by the British Council during the 26th SPELT international conference.

Mr. Mike, a USIS representative, welcomed the audience and talked about the support provided by the United States of America in improving the current English language teaching scenario in Pakistan. He explained different projects, which include English Access Micro Scholarship Programme, from which five thousand students across Pakistan will benefit. In addition, a training conference will be held for professional training and growth of teachers.

FJWU Vice Chancellor Dr. Saeeda Asadullah Khan addressed the audience and appreciated the record of SPELT in providing support to English language teachers for their professional development. She appreciated the role of SPELT as the courses and lectures conducted by practitioners are beneficial for professional development of teachers. She highlighted the role of Fatima Jinnah Women University in empowering women.