ICELT 2026 Recapitulation: Looking back with Pride

09/11/2026

🎉The Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature (EF) proudly announced the success of its 8^th International Conference on English Language Teaching 2026 (ICELT 2026) titled “Toward ESL in the Age of AI”. This year, participants were able to meet, greet, share their teaching experience and research outputs as well as discuss academic issues related to English as a language in general and ELT in particular, exploring diverse topics from AI integration, intercultural communication, sustainable development, and extensive reading. As AI continues to reshape ELT, the discussions shared throughout the conference helped reinforce the critical position of English linguistics and second language acquisition in bilingualism and learner-centered pedagogy toward establishing English as a second language in schools in Viet Nam.

*Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan, President of USSH, VNUHCM, giving the opening speech*

*Dr. Nguyễn Đăng Nguyên, Dean of EF, USSH, VNUHCM, giving the introductory remarks*

✨Specially, in addition to our conventional venue at the luxurious Hotel Grand Saigon, this year’s conference mainly took place at our home - the green spacious Campus 2 in Linh Xuan. Two days of academic exchange, innovative ideas, and meaningful connections came to a close as this year’s conference brought together people from many nations to explore the evolving landscape of ELT in the age of AI and English sociolinguistic changes. ICELT 2026 has brought a fresh new perspective on ELT from other corners of the world.

📌ICELT 2026 highlighted four keynote sessions, one symposium on “Growing Extensive Reading in Vietnam: Problems and Prospects,” alongside six featured sessions, and 75 parallel presentations, and poster presentations with dozens of presenters eagerly sharing their knowledge and expertise. Details regarding the conference publications including the proceedings and the VNUHCM Journal of Science and Technology Development articles will be announced soon.

*The EF-ERF symposium on Extensive Reading in Vietnam*

✒️Another remarkable event of ICELT 2026 was the MOU Signing Ceremony between EF and the Extensive Reading Foundation (ERF) on the opening of future opportunities for collaboration in implementing academic and professional activities between the two parties.

*The EF-ERF MOU Signing Ceremony on Day 1*

🎤On Day 1 at the Linh Xuan Campus, Keynote 1 was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Szczepaniak-Kozak on integrating AI into language and discourse studies, while in the afternoon, Keynote 2 by Dr. Abdullah bin Mohd Nawi highlighted the importance of reflective practice in navigating the growing role of AI in ESL.

*Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Szczepaniak-Kozak presenting her keynote*

*Dr. Abdullah bin Mohd Nawi presenting his keynote*

🎤On Day 2 at Hotel Grand Saigon, Keynote 3 from Prof. Dr. Thomas N. Robb introduced services and resources for teachers from the Extensive Reading Foundation, followed by Keynote 4, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan, which explored learner-centered language assessment.

*Prof. Dr. Thomas N. Robb presenting his keynote*

*Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan presenting his keynote*

🎊The conference concluded with closing remarks, certificate presentations, and a group photo, marking the end of two days of academic exchange and collaboration.

*Dr. Võ Thị Nữ Anh, Vice Dean of EF, USSH, VNUHCM, giving the closing remarks*

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your presence and support through this wonderful journey – special thanks to the Organizing Committee for their immense efforts in making ICELT 2026 a meaningful academic gathering.
See you again at ICELT 2028.💕

📸More photos of ICELT 2026 (embedded links)

🔗Opening Ceremony
🔗EF-ERF MOU Signing Ceremony
🔗Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anna Szczepaniak-Kozak's Keynote (Poland)
🔗Dr. Abdullah bin Mohd Nawi's Keynote (Malaysia)
🔗Prof. Dr. Thomas N. Robb's Keynote (Japan)
🔗Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan's Keynote (Canada)
🔗EF-ERF Symposium
🔗Featured sessions and Parallel sessions
🔗Appreciation of Sponsors
🔗Closing Ceremony
🔗Certificate Awarding
🔗Reception, Poster presentation & Tea break (Day 1)
🔗Reception & Tea break (Day 2)
🔗EF’s traditional AngloFest
🔗Networking Dinner
🔗The Organizing Committee & EF’s Student Volunteers