1,000 ENGLISH TEACHERS MEET IN BALI

Sanur, Bali, August 2 (ANTARA) - Some 1,000 English teachers from 34 Asian countries grouped in the Asia Teachers of English as a Foreign Language association (TEFL) hold the 6th International Conference on English Teaching in Sanur, Bali, 1-3 August 2008.

"We expect from this conference opportunities for English teachers to share their experience, knowledge, and hope so that English teaching skills will improve," Suwarsih Madya, chairperson of the conference said here Friday.

The international conference scheduled to be attended by many famous speakers such as Karen Konnerth (United States), Jack Richards (Australia), Thomas Farrell (Canada), Yong Lin Yang (China), David Nunan (Hong Kong), Melani Budianta (Indonesia), Paul Nation and Rod Ellis (New Zealand), and Jeremy Harmer (UK).

From Indonesia alone, there will be 50 speakers sharing their thoughts about English teaching issues, and some 300 others from 33 other countries.

English is playing has a very significant role in the world.

Although in Asian region, Mandarin is used by a huge population throughout the continent and Bahasa Melayu became some sort of "lingua franca" in several South-East Asian countries, English is still considered the important tool in communications among people throughout the world.

Asia TEFL is a non-profit organization established in 2003 and based in Seoul, South Korea.

This organization aims to increase research work, distributing information, and facilitate cross-cultural knowledge among people who study English in Asia.

Up till now, Asia TEFl has more than 10,000 members from 56 countries around the globe.

It also has developed project networks, published several of academic journals, held seminars and conferences, and enhanced skills in using English.