BIL News Bulletin: October, 2024

The MA in TESOL program of BIL organizes the Thesis Defense Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Language Education

On October 31, 2024, BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) organized its third MA in TESOL Thesis Defense of the year, providing 7 graduate students an avenue to showcase and defend their research findings. Faculty members, supervisors, external examiners from home and abroad, alumni, and fellow students joined the defense session, promoting stimulating discussions on the impactful research carried out by the promising researchers.

The graduate dissertations explored areas including learner autonomy, curriculum design, transition challenges in English Medium Instruction (EMI), primary-level teacher readiness in EMI contexts, artificial intelligence in language teaching, professional English writing skills, and the influence of gender on language learning motivation and performance. Each research agenda emphasized the challenges in Bangladeshi language instruction and added insightful viewpoints pertinent to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).

The list of external examiners included Professor Bijoy Lal Basu, Department of English, University of Dhaka, Dr. Zulfeqar Haider, Professor and Senior Curriculum Specialist, NCTB, Dr. Iffat Jahan, University of Queensland, Australia, Professor Dr. Mohammad Moninoor Rashid, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, Dr. Mian Md Naushaad Kabir, Associate Professor, Department of English Language, IML, University of Dhaka, Harunur Rashid Khan, Former Associate Professor and Chair of English Department, Southeast University, and Professor Dr. Mahmud Hasan Khan, Department of English and Modern Languages, School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Independent University, Bangladesh.

This occasion recognizes the high standards of research and academic rigor that BIL aims to maintain as it contributes to the TESOL community of the Global South. Ms. Hasna Khanom, Senior Lecturer at BIL coordinated and anchored the thesis defense event.

A glimpse of the presenters, examiners, mentors, and audience following the successful thesis defense

BIL Organized Orientation Program to Welcome MA-TESOL Freshers

On October 20, 2024, the BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) organized an orientation program to welcome freshers from the Fall 2024 intake of the MA in TESOL program. The BIL faculty members and alumni representatives welcomed the new entrants nurturing a sense of belonging within the graduate program. Ms. Hasna Khanom, Senior Lecturer at BIL anchored and coordinated the program.

Following an introduction session by the new students, Professor Dr. Shaila Sultana, Director of BIL, delivered an insightful speech highlighting the rising demand for TESOL among learners in Bangladesh, her expectations from the newcomers, and the institute's future goals.

Afterwards, Ms. Hasna Khanom gave an overview of BIL's projects, activities, and programs. She also introduced the MA in TESOL program aligning it with the university’s mission and vision, while highlighting its merits. She explained how the MA in TESOL program blends theory with hands-on practice and research and informed the freshers about the ways the faculty and alumni of the program support its students in their research and career paths.

The session aimed at acquainting the new MA in TESOL intake with the courses, and policies, while also motivating them to explore the professional development opportunities provided by BIL and BRAC University.

The orientation was followed by student advising and a meet-and-greet with faculty members.

Freshers attending the orientation event of Fall 2024 of the MA in TESOL program

BIL’s MA in TESOL Program Offers Free English Language Course

Intending to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 10, focusing on quality education and reduced inequalities, the MA in TESOL program of BIL, Brac University is pleased to offer a Free English Language Course designed specifically for Bangla medium students currently in classes 8 and 9 (ages 14-16) in the Fall 2024 semester, for the second time in 2024.

Classes are conducted in English, free handouts and worksheets are given, language skills are integrated into each lesson (e.g., listening, reading, speaking, writing), and grammar activities are practiced. The primary aim is to promote learners' confidence in speaking English and help reduce their fear/shyness about using the English language.

The pre-service teachers of a core MA-TESOL course titled TSL507: Teaching Practicum-1, contribute to these SDG goals by designing tailored lessons and teaching materials and conducting interactive classes for children from low-resourced schools at the BRAC University campus. This initiative seeks equitable access to learner-centered, multimedia-enhanced language classrooms for underprivileged communities.

This practicum course is the first hands-on training course for pre-service teachers and an integral part of BIL's MA in TESOL program. In addition to improving the teaching abilities of TSL507: Teaching Practicum-1 students, it gives them a gratifying opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their society, in alignment with the core ethos of BIL and BRAC University.

The classes will start on November 15th, 2024, and run every Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM until December 20th, 2024. There will be 12 classes in total. Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the course. The deadline to register for this course is November 7th, 2024.

MA in TESOL Graduates from BIL Serve as Instructors in the Refugee Higher Education Access Program (RhEAP)

Muhammad Hossain, Shaikat Das, Nusrat Tasnim, and Rafsana Amin - four graduates from the MA in TESOL program, from BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL), BRAC University, have joined the Refugee Higher Education Access Program (RhEAP) as instructors for Academic Writing and English for Academic Purposes (EAP), marking a major milestone in creating academic pathways for marginalized communities. Currently, this initiative operates across Kenya, Jordan, and Bangladesh, co-led by OSUN Hubs and the Centre for Peace and Justice at BRAC University.

In addition to approaches tailored to cater to the psychological and emotional demands of displaced learners, RhEAP emphasizes fostering the best teaching practices, such as project-based, student-centered learning. With the assistance of instructors and trained refugees serving as on-the-ground facilitators, modular courses offered in this program are taught in hybrid mode.

The novice teachers undertook a five-day visit to Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, exploring the learning center operated by the Refugee Studies Unit (RSU), the flagship initiative of the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) at BRAC University. This experience allowed them to interact closely with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, gaining insight into their living conditions and the psychological challenges hindering academic success. This understanding enabled the teachers to facilitate inclusive online classes more effectively.

Through their active participation in such humanitarian initiatives, the engaged students are not only contributing to creating an improved academic environment for refugees but also advancing the more general objectives of quality education and reduced inequality.

Graduate students pose with RSU members overseeing learning centers in Ukhiya

One of the instructors facilitated a session on Study Skills for refugee learners

BIL Faculty conducts voluntary training for English teachers from Qawmi Madrasas

BIL faculty, Ms. Hasna Khanom, Senior Lecturer conducted a workshop on Teaching English Language Skills on May 17, 2024, at the day-long training event for Qawmi Madrasah English language teachers at the Institute of Modern Languages (IML), University of Dhaka. The event was organized by the TESOL Society of Bangladesh, a voluntary association of English teachers in the country, supported by Hornby Educational Trust (UK) and IML for the project ‘Enhancing the Effectiveness of English Teaching at Qawmi Madrasas in Bangladesh.’ Sixty-one Qawmi English language teachers across the country from Dhaka, Chattogram, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj, Sherpur, Cox’s Bazar, Mymensingh, Tangail, Khulna, Sylhet, and Kushtia attended the workshop.

The training event consisted of seven workshops, reinforcing some of the pivotal components of language teaching such as teaching grammar and mechanics, active learning in the 21st century,  utilization of technology in ELT practices, teaching English language skills, and developing reading skills in culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP). The esteemed educators from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Brac University, State University of Bangladesh, and American International University- Bangladesh carried out these sessions. Ms. Hasna Khanom played a key role in organizing the training event at IML, the University of Dhaka.

The workshop featured an engaging and interactive session with English teachers from Qawmi Madrasahs

BIL Faculty published article in the “Journal of Teacher Education”

BIL-affiliated faculty, Mr. Abdul Karim, correspondingly published a research paper titled “Preservice Teachers’ Reflecting on Reflections of Critical Incidents: Effects on Professional Development and Identity Construction” in the Journal of Teacher Education (Indexed in SSCI-Q1), the flagship journal of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education along with Muhammad Kamarul Kabilan, Shahin Sultana, and Mohammad Mosiur Rahman. This interpretive phenomenological study reports the effects of reflecting on reflections concerning Critical Incidents (CIs) on the pre-service teachers (PSTs) professional development and conceptualization of their identity as TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teachers. The study involved nine PSTs specializing in TESOL and doing their teaching practicum. The main instrument of the study was reflective writing, which required the PSTs to report CIs, write reflections, and share these for receiving peers’ reflections to further reflect on self-reflection and reflection of peers. The process enabled the participants to pursue professional development and conceive identity as TESOL teachers. This seemingly engaging, thought-provoking and meaningful reflective practice can be additive to the existing reflective practices, which have been questioned and debated in the literature. In pursuit of professional development and teacher identity, PSTs can be assigned to reflect on reflections with diverse focus elements alongside CIs.

BIL signs a local partnership with Hotel Intercontinental, Dhaka

Hotel Intercontinental, Dhaka is the Hospitality Partner of the international conference titled “Language Metamorphosis: Implications for Language Education in Decolonial Contexts” (LMLEDC) hosted by Brac Institute of Languages (BIL), Brac University. Dr. Shaila Sultana, Director and Professor at BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) signed the  Memorandum of Intent (MOI) in presence of a few conference committee members and representatives from Hotel InterContinental, Dhaka, on 31 October, 2024.

This international conference will bring together scholars, researchers, language practitioners, and students from around the world to explore the transformative shifts in language education.

Vice-Chancellor of BRACU visits BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL)

On 20th October 2024, Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, the Vice-Chancellor visited BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) to discuss strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the institute’s objectives and enhancing the skills of language educators. The visit underscored the university’s dedication to fostering excellence in language education. The meeting included the presence of the Advisor, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, the Director, Dr. Shaila Sultana, and the faculty members of BIL.

The session began with an introduction of BIL faculty members, followed by an inspiring overview of BIL's journey and key milestones shared by Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed. A few distinguished senior faculty members of the institute showcased the language courses offered at BIL and the innovative teaching methods and educational goals of BIL which align with Sir Abed’s philosophy. The meeting also spotlighted the SDG-focused projects and academic initiatives undertaken along with BIL’s outreach efforts in collaboration with organizations like UNICEF and ILO, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to modern language education. The successes of the MA TESOL program and the professional growth of its graduates were also emphasized. Among the key highlights, faculty research achievements were shared, reflecting BIL’s strong standing in academia.

The session concluded with valuable advice and insightful discussions on shaping BIL’s future direction, allowing faculty to voice their challenges and aspirations. The Vice Chancellor strongly urged faculty to recognize and embrace the multifunctional nature of the English language, encouraging an exploration of its usage from various perspectives and for different purposes. He also motivated the faculty to deepen their involvement in research and remain committed to lifelong learning opportunities. The Vice Chancellor’s visit was met with enthusiasm, inspiring the BIL community to pursue excellence in their language education efforts.