TESOL conference in HCMC during September 25-26

On September 25 and 26, a conference on English teaching and organization of a national TESOL was held at SEAMEO RETRAC in HCMC. Conference participants included: Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training; Mr. John Scacco, Regional English Language Officer; PAO Patricia Norland; Dr. Do Huy Thinh, Director of SEAMEO RETRAC; two former ThaiTESOL presidents; and representatives of key universities throughout Vietnam, including Hanoi, Hue, Danang, HCMC and Cantho.  Others in attendance included Dr. Toni Hull, English Language Fellow from Hue College of Foreign Languages, and executive members of the HCMC TESOL Association. During this two-day conference, participants discussed English teaching-related issues and the establishment of a TESOL Association in Vietnam. Dr. Sonthida Keyurarvong and Dr. Arunee Wiriyachitra outlined their experiences over ThaiTESOL's 28-year history and provided valuable background for establishment of a VietTESOL.  As former presidents of ThaiTESOL, they shared candid insights on issues spanning association activities, national conferences, the role of affiliates, and many other "lessons learned" in maintaining a national TESOL organization.  This intense exchange among Vietnamese and ThaiTESOL experts on how to launch and run a successful TESOL association serves as a valuable step on the road toward expected establishment of a national TESOL organization in Vietnam.