22nd Malaysian English Language Teaching Association International Conference Innovations in English Language Education: Evolving Policy, Envisioning

Curriculum, Empowering Practitioners 28th 30th May 2013 Persada Johor Convention Centre, Johor Bahru

The 22nd MELTA International Conference aims to deliberate on the need to audit and review existing policies and practice, examine current transformation programmes and construct new frameworks and strategies for English language education. It will take into cognisance the changing nature of the English language, its transforming purpose, its use in changing contexts and its role in reframing transnational communication. The conference centres on the idea that innovations in teaching and learning should target not only the development of linguistic knowledge but also the nurturing of appropriate learning abilities and the competencies to think and function independently, framed by the learners expanding awareness of identity, culture and the needs of society.
The conference aims at creating awareness that like knowledge, language and its use is transient, thus necessitating the construction of new epistemologies about teaching and learning that are anchored in the contexts of current and future needs. Strategic innovations are the cornerstones of new advances in education but innovation for the sake of novelty alone is a foolhardy engagement. MELTA invites education policy makers, practitioners and scholars to deliberate on various aspects of innovation in English language education. Conference Sub-themes Papers, workshops, panel discussions, poster presentations and demonstrations can address innovation in English language education related to: education policy programme design curriculum teacher education evaluation and assessment language arts and literature technology multiple literacies
Key Presenters: Royal Lecture DYMM Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, DK., SPMJ., SPCM Keynote Director General of Education, Malaysia

special education needs differentiated instruction linguistics and language awareness teaching and learning modes and resources public-private partnership projects corporate social responsibility programmes and projects methodologies for the teaching of language skills and competencies

Prof. David Wray UK Prof. Willy A. Renandya Singapore Dr. Sisilia S Halimi - Indonesia Dr. Wichian Sunitham- Thailand Dr. Fiona Hyland - Hong Kong Ms. Mallika Vasugi - Education Columnist The STAR

Prof. Hai Xiao Wang Nanjing University Prof. Dr Guangwei Hu Singapore Dr. Liz England - USA Professor Hisatake Jimbo - Japan Mr Md Jamal Hossain - Bangladesh

Special Events Apart from truly engaging academic presentations, the conference also promises the following special events:

Hyacinth Gaudart Outstanding English Language Teacher Award This award is presented annually to an English language teacher who has been involved in ELT activities or situations of teaching that are considered exceptional, and beyond the ordinary duties of an English language teacher. Candidates involvement in community work, research and publication will be an advantage. The award is open to Malaysian ELT teachers teaching at pre-school, primary school or secondary school level. Entry details are available on the website. Award Partner: Pearson Education Malaysia

MELT-A-HEART Participants are encouraged to contribute books or educational materials suitable for primary schools for the MELT-A-HEART social responsibility initiative. With the help of the state education departments, MELTA will identify schools to benefit from this project. All items donated should be new. Participants can drop off their items during the conference. Project Partner: UBSM

The Basil Wijasuriya Best Malaysian Teacher Presenter Award The three best presentations by teachers , as judged by the MELTA judging panel during the conference, the Gold, Silver and Bronze Basil Awards. Malaysian conference will receive Wijasuriya

The Malachi Edwin Creative Teacher Showcase Award MELTA invites interested participants to showcase teaching innovations and/or teaching simulations of effective methods/practices. The best three presentations will receive the Gold, Silver and Bronze Creative Teacher Showcase awards. Teachers in Malaysian schools are eligible .

Award Partner: elc International School

Award Partner: Erican Education Group

The MELTA Presidents Award for Outstanding School ELT Project. This is an award presented to schools in the State where the annual MELTA conference is held. It is presented to schools that have organised and implemented creative and interesting English language projects on a school-wide scale. Award Partner: Erican Education Group

MELTA - Smart Kids Way With Words Competition (Malaysian schools) The MELTA-Smart Kids Way With Words Competition is held in conjunction with the MELTA International Conference. The competition open to all Malaysian schools is a fun-filled activity that assess students overall English language competency. It is a team (3 members per team) event and each school may send a maximum of three teams to participate in each category.. Partner: Expomal Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Member/ Student In Malaysian Institution# Non-Member International Presenter/Participant Product Demonstration Presenter ** Registration fee does not include accommodation Mode of Payment Local: Cheque / Bank Draft / Money Order /Local Order / Cash/ International: Bank Draft / Electronic Transfers (include bank charges) * A 30% charge will be levied on cancellations made in writing by 30 APRIL 2013. No refunds shall be given for cancellations after this date. # RM RM 360 400

USD 150 RM 600

Proof of student status required All payments must be made in favour of: MALAYSIAN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING ASSOCIATION Account Number : 1440-0008094-05-7 Bank Name : CIMB Bank Berhad SWIFT Code : CIBBMYKL

CONFERENCE ACCOMMODATION
Conference Hotel: Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru, Johor Room Rates: Princess Deluxe Single - RM190++ Imperial Deluxe Single RM210++ Rooms of other class are available at higher rates Contact information: How To Get There By Air Fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and take a connecting flight to Johor Bahru Airport in Skudai, Johor Fly to Changi International Airport, Singapore and take a short taxi, train or bus ride across the causeway. Double RM 210++ Double RM230++

By Road Accesible via highway from any part of Malaysia

Important Deadlines Submission of Abstract and biodata: 15 February 2013 Registration and Payment: 19 April 2013 Submission of full paper for Conference CD* : 19 April 2013 *Papers submitted for inclusion in the conference CD proceedings will be considered for publication in either of the two MELTA journals (Malaysian Journal of ELT Research and The English Teacher). The CD will have an ISBN. Presentation Format/Duration Presentations may be in the form of paper presentations (30 mins), poster presentations (30 mins), workshops (60 mins), panel discussions (60 mins) & commercial product demonstrations (60 mins). Creative Teacher Showcase (Full day exhibition) All presentations shall be made in English.

Presenters Responsibilities Presenters must submit a 250-word abstract of their presentations and a 50-word biodata (include email address). Presentations selected for the conference must not have their conceptual content changed substantially after acceptance.

The lead presenter is responsible for informing the co-presenter(s) of all correspondence received.
Presenters should check the MELTA website (www.melta.org.my) for updates. All presenters must complete the registration process by 19 April 2013, failing which the submitted abstract will be considered withdrawn. Notification of Abstract Acceptance Notification of abstract acceptance will be made by 25 March 2013. Presenters who do not hear from us should contact MELTA for clarification.

PARTNERS