CamTESOL 2013 Plenary Session by Dr. Richmond Stroupe of Soka University, Japan

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• published: 31 Jul 2013
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"The language educator and globalisation: How do we best prepare our learners?" The process of globalisation and increasing interconnectedness through technology, media, and institutional exchanges is leading to greater opportunities and mobility for our students. In response, in an effort to adequately prepare our learners, the nature of our language classrooms is changing. While still based on the fundamentals of improving linguistic understanding and proficiency, emphasis is increasing on the broader role of language classes and language educators focusing on preparing our graduates to enter a global workforce, and developing the concept of global citizenship. As a result, the new and increasing number of expectations placed on our profession lead to new challenges and opportunities for our students and ourselves as language educators. While all of these trends globally affect language instruction in many contexts, the emphasis takes on specific importance for Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, as ASEAN plans on developing a more fully integrated economic community by 2015. How do we as language educators prepare our students for regional and international opportunities in such a time of fast-paced change, increased expectations, and global competition? During this presentation, some current and innovative approaches implemented to address the new challenges which globalisation and internationalisation have placed on the delivery of English language instruction will be discussed. Dr. Richmond STROUPE has worked with university and professional language learners from Asia since 1989. Richmond is currently the Chair of the Master's in TESOL program at Soka University, Japan, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Language Education in Asia online journal. His research interests also include teacher education practices, curriculum and professional development, and developing learners' critical thinking skills.