NEWSBUZZ

40th SPELT International Conference
ends on an optimistic note

December 2024

40th SPELT International Conference
The 40th International Conference of the Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) was an awe-inspiring event, buzzing with energy and ideas. Held on November 16th at four different venues across Karachi and culminating on November 17th at Habib University, the conference drew over 600 enthusiastic educators. With a rich program of symposia, panel discussions, keynotes, talks, and workshops, the event offered a transformative experience for participants.

The conference featured prominent international speakers such as Alan Mackenzie, John Baker, Dr Rob Waring, and Zhou Fein, alongside nationally recognized figures like Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Tina Hameed, Shabana Chaudhary, Dr Anjum Halai, Dr Shah Jamal Alam, Dr Stephen Lyon, Dr Bushra Khurram, Salma Alam, and Mohsin Tejani. Educators from all over Sindh and beyond convened, creating a melting pot of perspectives and strategies for teaching. A highlight was the innovative World Café hosted by Prof. Abbas Husain, which provided a unique platform for collaborative discussions and reflections.

A particularly memorable aspect was the presence of SPELT’s founding members, who were celebrating 40 years of the organization. Amberina Kazi, Farida Faizullah, Anisa Mumtaz, Fauzia Shamim, Fatima Shahabudin, Zakia Sarwar, and Abbas Husain. Along with the founding members, seasoned senior SPELTers such as Khalida Saadat, Dr Nasreen Hussain, Gul Jaffri, and Lubna Punjwani were honoured in recognition of their longstanding services. A posthumous dedication and service excellence award was also awarded to (late) Lubna Mohyeddin. Younger educators deeply appreciated their mentorship and dedication.

The conference’s central theme revolved around Artificial Intelligence and its educational implications. Discussions across venues delved into AI’s potential to transform teaching and learning and the challenges it poses. Speakers reflected on how technological advances, from the printing press to television, have historically reshaped societies. However, the impact of AI on intellectual professions like teaching has created a sense of urgency and unease.

The conference also underscored the resilience and hope embodied by young educators. Teachers emerged as central to shaping the educational landscape, capable of driving meaningful change despite challenges.

SPELT’s landmark Celebrations started on a high note with a well-received “Celebratory Press Meet and Greet” on 5th Oct’24 at the PACC. Two engaging panel discussions were held on the thought-provoking topics of “Education in a State of Emergency - Focus on Teacher Training” and “Has Media Deteriorated as a Source of Educational Values and Coherence?”. Distinguished panellists of scholars, authors, and educationists such as Baela Raza Jamil, Dr Farid Panjwani, Muneeza Shamsi, Hameed Haroon, Ghazi Salahuddin, Mazhar Abbas, Seema Tahir Khan, and Zebunnisa Burki captured the audience’s attention with their in-depth conversations.

The SPELT 40th International Conference was a remarkable celebration of teaching, learning, innovation, and the voluntary spirit. The event affirmed SPELT’s vision of empowering educators. The conversations sparked during the conference will continue to shape teaching practices across Pakistan, offering hope and inspiration for years to come.