19th Annual International TESOL Arabia Conference and Exhibition opens

The theme of this year's conference, which runs from March 14-16, is 'From KG to College to Career', focusing on the learning of English language in education at all levels in the region, particularly extending the usual focus on the mainstream educational years to young learners and also to continuing education for adults after formal education is completed.

As well as the plenary sessions, the 1,600 conference-goers will be able to choose from almost 200 break-out sessions given by presenters from about 20 different countries in this region and further afield.

TESOL Arabia 2013 features a number of well-known international speakers, including Professor Jack Richards, Carolyn Graham, Ken Wilson, Dr Luke Prodromou, Dr Barbara Sinclair, Professor Dr Kurt Kohn, Dr Linda Price, David Gibson and Professor Pauline Rea-Dickins.

With this highly-rated lineup of speakers the TESOL Arabia International Conference continues to be the premier professional educational development event in the region.

TESOL Arabia is supported by a wide range of sponsors prominent in the educational field: the British Council, and IDP-IELTS are the Platinum Sponsors; the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE, and the American Center for Press and Cultural Affairs are Gold Sponsors; Arab Gulf Education, the University of Wollongong in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates University, International House Dubai, and AMIDEAST are Silver Sponsors; and CORE Education & Consulting is our Bronze Sponsor. TESOL Arabia is very grateful for their generous support, and their contribution to the professional development of educators in the Arab Gulf region.

There was a special pre-conference course on 13 March: 'Mobile Learning for the 21st Century Classroom'. An additional special certificate course, 'Masterclass in ELT', with prominent international experts, will run during the three days of the main conference.

The TESOL Arabia conference also offers delegates the opportunity to peruse the latest in up-to-date language teaching materials and software in its Exhibition Hall. Teachers interested in gaining employment can meet and interview with prospective employers in the Job Fair.

TESOL Arabia is the region's foremost teachers' association. It is a volunteer-run organisation, based in the UAE, providing professional development opportunities for its members, who are mostly educators involved in teaching and using English as a medium of instruction.

The conference this year is co-chaired by Les Kirkham and Sandra Oddy from Al Ain, UAE.