TESOLutions: Embracing digital transformation in Vietnam
Exploring English language classrooms of the future
10 March 2023 I The Queensland Institute
Fiona Wiebusch (centre stage) shares insights with TESOL graduates at Horizon TESOL event in HCMC.
As TESOL educators, we understand the importance of embracing new technologies while staying focused on the human aspect of learning and teaching.
This was the message shared at the recent "Digital Transformation in Teaching and Learning" workshop event in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, co-hosted by Horizon TESOL and HCMC TESOL, an affiliate of TESOL International Association. The event on March 4th, 2023, was part of the graduation celebrations for more than 100 TESOL diploma recipients in HCMC.
Ms. Fiona Wiebusch, Co-Founder of The Queensland Institute, presented a keynote titled "Simple TESOLutions: Strategies to Engage Learners in the Language Classrooms of the Future." During her presentation, Ms. Wiebusch shared low-preparation, high-engagement strategies that help teachers start new topics, keep learners engaged throughout a lesson, and reflect on learner progress. These strategies are applicable to both physical and virtual classrooms, and their relevance extends to multimodal classrooms of the future.
Ms. Wiebusch emphasised the importance for early career teachers to embrace new technology while staying focused on three things that will always be important in the language classroom: establishing rapport, scaffolding learning, and checking learner progress regularly. Through each strategy, Ms Wiebusch highlighted the importance of teachers' humanity in building classroom communities and fostering authentic communication. These core principles underpin successful language learning and teaching. Ms Wiebusch shared,
“Today's TESOL graduates enter an exciting era of embracing new technologies, facilitating new ways of learning, and ensuring our students thrive in the language classroom. It's always a privilege to welcome my new colleagues to the teaching profession."
In addition to Ms. Wiebusch's presentation, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Mr Khoa Do, and Mr Nhat Minh provided a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential application in language education. They demonstrated how AI can be used to make efficiencies and personalize learning, using ChatGPT as a key example. The speakers shared practical tips on how English teachers can integrate AI into their teaching practice, such as streamlining lesson planning, personalising lessons with customised content to meet individual student needs, and providing prompt and effective feedback.
Fiona Wiebusch (centre) shares practical strategies with lecturers at Ton Duc Thang University, HCMC.
Ms. Wiebusch also shared her views on classrooms of the future at a special workshop hosted by Ton Duc Thang University. More than 60 lecturers from the Creative Language Centre attended the event. English Lecturer, Mr Huy Pham, shared,
“Ms Wiebusch drew upon her extensive experience in language education and exchanged ideas with participants from their own experiences. Attendees all praised Ms. Wiebusch's ideas for student engagement, particularly the demonstration of the 5-finger model and the final discussion on digital learning and teaching, and ChatGPT.”
Both events encouraged educators to adopt a multi-dimensional view of language classrooms, embracing digital transformation while staying true to our humanity and core teaching principles. This enables us to personalise learning and equip students with the necessary skills for future success.
