With the theme of ‘English Language Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ VietTESOL Association held its annual international conference, the largest gathering of English language teachers and researchers, this year at UEH (the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City) from 26–28 July 2024. Over 600 people were in attendance, including Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Van Phuc.
This was the perfect opportunity for British Council’s Global Head of EdTech Innovation Dr Adam Edmett to present updated findings (based on our December 2023 AI research publication) into what the latest research, practising teachers and expert witnesses all have to say about the impact that AI is currently having and is likely to have on English language teaching, learning and assessment around the globe, including here in Viet Nam. Some 170 participants joined this keynote presentation to learn about the research findings and pose questions to Adam. If you missed the conference, you can see his full keynote presentation here.
Adam’s keynote presentation was just one part of a much broader 'British Council Signature Series' of nine British Council-related research and projects presented as sessions or workshops as part of VIC 2024. These included information about three of our recent UK/Viet Nam Season 2023 projects. Returning to the theme of AI, the series also included a presentation entitled 'Harnessing the Power of AI and Digital Tools to Foster Learner Autonomy in ELT' delivered by three of our UK/Viet Nam Season scholars who are currently studying an online MA TESOL with Ulster University.
As the conference drew to a close, it was announced that VIC 2025 will be held in Can Tho University, the first time it will be held in the Mekong Delta.
See a video clip featuring our participation in VIC 2024 produced by Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper here.
