APAC Convention 2009

Few of us would have believed - 20 years ago - when the use of internet and web-related applications started to enter our lives, that our profession would be so affected by this new development. The spread of internet has been very influential in the consolidation of communicative language teaching and in the introduction of humanistic approaches which require shared responsibilities between teachers and students and imply a shift in power relationships in the classroom.

But some teachers think that things have gone too far, that the tables have been turned on us. Internet has changed our students radically and we find it difficult to adapt to our new context. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach. Specialist literature describes us teachers as digital immigrant educators and refers to our students as digital natives, which clearly states our disadvantageous situation. Things have changed, and we need to change in terms of approach and in terms of content. There is no going back.

Past APAC conventions have already addressed a variety of ICT related topics and uses. Our 2009 Convention plans to have The NET as the centre of the debates and sessions. Gavin Dudeney and Jeremy Harmer have already confirmed their participation, and we look forward to learning about the expansion of Second Life and how it may impact our already complicated real life. Other equally experienced EFL speakers have already shown interest in coming.

Finally, we extend a big invitation to attend the Convention sessions at the Pompeu, 26th., 27th., 28th. February next.
See you there!