TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a field experiencing remarkable growth worldwide. For the past 30 years, the United Arab Emirates TESOL conferences have served as a platform for innovation, support, and professional development, enabling ELT educators to expand their potential. Our faculty was represented at this year’s event by PaedDr. Andrea Dawson, PhD. from the Department of Languages at FCE STU.
The International TESOL Conference, held at the American University in Dubai on February 7–8, 2026, welcomed over 350 academics, researchers, and teachers from 25 countries. During the event, Dr. Dawson presented findings from her qualitative research on the effectiveness of teacher talk in online English language classes, emphasizing the crucial role of self-reflection and ongoing professional development in a teacher’s work. Participants in her session expressed strong interest in issues related to excessive teacher talk and limited student engagement in online classes. Alongside Dr. Dawson, they recognized the need to redefine the teacher’s role in the classroom. In an age shaped by digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence into education, it is vital to abandon teacher-centered instruction, adopt facilitative teaching methods, and foster greater learner autonomy.
The overall focus of the TESOL 2026 conference was on enhancing the quality of English language teaching and empowering learners in an AI-inclusive era. The presentations aimed to encourage participants to re-evaluate and redesign their teaching strategies through impactful pedagogy and the meaningful integration of technology and artificial intelligence, while underlining the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and teaching quality.
Text: PaedDr. Andrea Dawson, PhD. Photo source: American University in Dubai
