Workshop

NSU Presents Workshop on Pathways to Excellence: Tools and Strategies in ELT

Asma Afreen

The Department of English at North South University (NSU) presented a special workshop 'Pathways to Excellence: Tools and Strategies in ELT' on December 3, 2012 to bless the participants with the golden opportunity of enriching themselves with the valuable thoughts of two eminent personalities, Mr Fife MacDuff, the Regional English Language Officer of US State Department, USA and Ms Jimalee Sowell, an English Language Fellow of US State Department, USA. This great event was attended by a good number of graduate students of different universities and faculty members of various institutions.

Mr Fife MacDuff, the Regional English Language Officer of US State Department,
USA with the organisers of the workshop.

In the welcome speech, Dr Shireen Huq, Chair of the Department of English at North South University highlighted the importance of the workshop as it assists us to keep ourselves updated in this challenging world. While inaugurating this special event, the honourable chief guest, Dr M Abdus Sattar, Acting Vice Chancellor of NSU gave immense appreciation to the organisers of this workshop and pointed out the importance of pedagogical innovations.

The trainers disseminated their professional expertise in four sessions. Throughout the event, the participants were mesmerised by the innovative thoughts of these two personas. Mr Fife MacDuff elucidated the concept of reflective teaching. The participants enjoyed when the trainers engaged themselves in various teaching activities which enabled themselves to know, interact and exchange their views to discover new and better ways to teach and learn the English language.

At the end of this vibrant workshop, Mr Bilal Faruqi, the Cultural Affairs Officer of the American Center, Dhaka and Dr Shireen Huq thanked the respectable trainers for their precious and vigorous support, and honoured the participants with certificates for their invaluable participations.

(The writer is a student of MA in TESOL, North South University)