Background

The field of English Language Teaching (ELT) has been undergoing swift transformation in response to the technological advancement, artificial intelligence, global literacy needs, sustainable development issues, and the altering landscape of education in a disruptive era. ELT is no longer limited to classroom-based language learning, it is also expected to contribute to broader social, cultural, environmental, and global development.

In response to these developments, the English Education Department, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Manado recognizes the need to establish an international academic forum that brings together lecturers, researchers, teachers, students, education practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of ELT. This forum is expected to provide a space for the exchange of ideas, research findings, best practices, and innovations in English language teaching and learning that are relevant to future educational challenges.

Therefore, the English Education Department, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Manado will organize its first international conference under the title International Conference on Future ELT (ICoFELT). This conference is expected to become a sustainable academic agenda that strengthens the contribution of Universitas Negeri Manado to the development of ELT and practice at both national and international levels.

Proposed Keynote Speakers

  • Prof. Pauline Jones, Ph.D. - University of Wollongong
  • Dr. Itje Chodidjah, M.A. - Teacher Educator, Executive Chair of Indonesia, National Commission for UNESCO period 2021 - 2025
  • Prof. Paul Kei Matsuda - Arizona State University
  • Jefri Saiful, Ph.D. - Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya
  • Prof. Utami Widiati, M.A., Ph.D. - Universitas Negeri Malang and President of TEFLIN
  • Prof. Ika Lestari Damayanti, M.A., Ph.D. - Head of Language Center of UPI Bandung and President of PELTIN
  • Pramod Shah - The United States of America

Theme of the Conference

The main theme of ICoFELT 2027 is:

ELT Reimagined: Sustainability in Disruptive Era

This theme highlights the importance of rethinking directions, approaches, and practices of English Language Teaching to ensure that they remain relevant, sustainable, inclusive, and adaptive to global changes, particularly in an era shaped by technological, social, cultural, and educational disruptions.

Sub-themes

The sub-themes of the conference include, but are not limited to:

  1. AI Literacy in English Language Teaching
  2. AI-Assisted Language Learning
  3. Assessment and Evaluation in ELT
  4. Curriculum and Materials Development in ELT
  5. Eco-ELT and Sustainability
  6. Global Englishes
  7. Inclusive Education in ELT
  8. Intercultural Communication
  9. Literature in ELT
  10. Local Voices and Global Perspectives in ELT
  11. Mental Health in Language Learning and Teaching
  12. Multilingualism and Translanguaging
  13. Systemic Functional Linguistics and Genre Pedagogy in ELT
  14. Teacher Professional Development
  15. Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)
  16. Technology-Enhanced Language Learning

Through ICoFELT, the English Education Department, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Manado is expected to strengthen its role in advancing innovative, sustainable, and globally impactful English Language Teaching.