Chia Suan Chong Plenary Speaker

Plenary topic:

Helping students become successful international communicators

"This is an extremely relevant topic for English language educators of today. ELT practitioners need to go beyond their usual focus on linguistic competence and consider how they can develop the communication skills and interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully across cultures."

Biographical information

Chia Suan Chong is a writer, communication skills trainer and a teacher trainer. She is the author of Successful International Communication, where she presented her ADAPT model as a framework for dealing with intercultural conflict. Delivering both online and face-to-face training to teachers and learners around the globe, Chia specializes in interactive workshops that encourage reflection for more effective international communication and improved collaboration. Currently based in York, Chia was English Teaching Professional’s award-winning resident blogger between 2012 and 2019. She developed and co-wrote the Pearson ELTD – an online teacher training course, has contributed extensively to the British Council Learn English website and holds a DELTA and a Masters in Applied Linguistics and ELT. Chia is a co-author for Voices, an integrated series by National Geographic Learning for adult learners of English.

Abstract

With English as the global language of business, education and science, English users of different backgrounds are having to find ways to successfully communicate with each other across cultures. But what specific skills do our learners need to communicate more effectively and build relationships with people who might behave and communicate in ways different from themselves? And how can we develop these skills in the language classroom? In this interactive workshop, Chia will be using critical thinking activities, storytelling, roleplays and a touch of drama to explore some ways we can help learners develop an awareness of different communication styles and cultural expectations, spot communication breakdowns when they happen, and become better international communicators.

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