Turkmenistan’s first TESOL conference, co-organized by the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, was held last week in Ashgabat. 250 English language teachers from across Turkmenistan and American experts from the International TESOL Association gathered for the event at the International University of Humanities and Development. Over the course of five days, they held sessions on the latest innovations in language learning, from technology in language learning to experiential learning and inclusive classroom experiences to exchange experiences of innovative approaches to teaching English, the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan reported.
The conference was jointly opened by U.S. Ambassador Matthew Klimow, Rector of the International University for Humanities and Development Maral Kulieva, and Director of the National Institute of Education Bayram Bashimov.
“As teachers, you know the value of English in today’s global economy. Over the next five days, you will hear about the latest methodologies, state-of-the-art innovations, and challenges that teachers of English as a foreign language are experiencing in virtually every country on earth,” said Ambassador Klimow in his opening remarks on January 8.
The first-of-its-kind conference builds on ongoing U.S.-Turkmen cooperation in the field of education, particularly English language education. This cooperation has brought together U.S. and Turkmen experts in a variety of formats, including exchanges, seminars, and faculty residencies by U.S. professors at Turkmen higher education institutions.
