International language conference concludes at BRAC University

A three-day international conference, "Language Metamorphosis: Implications for Language Education in Decolonial Contexts," ended at BRAC University.

Organised by the BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL), it addressed the lasting effects of colonial legacies on language education and explored transformative, inclusive pedagogies.

With over 300 participants from Bangladesh and beyond, the event featured six keynote speeches, two plenary sessions, a colloquium, and 151 presentations.

Key topics included linguistic diversity, multilingual education, decolonial curriculum development, language policy, linguistic racism, and innovative strategies for inclusive teaching.

Keynote speakers included globally renowned scholars, namely, Professor Suresh Canagarajah from Pennsylvania State University, Professor Sender Dovchin from Curtin University, Professor Stephen May from the University of Auckland, Professor Emeritus Robert Phillipson from Copenhagen Business School, Professor Emeritus Sirpa Leppänen from the University of Jyväskylä, and Professor Emeritus Alastair Pennycook from the University of Technology Sydney.

The invited speakers included Dr Pramod K. Sah from the Education University of Hong Kong, Dr Obaid Hamid from the University of Queensland, Professor A. M. M. Hamidur Rahman from Daffodil International University, and Dr Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh from Universiti Sains Malaysia. 

They addressed critical issues related to translingualism and its role in shaping meaning, the social dimensions of language in pedagogy and assessment, language policy in the Global South focusing on indigenous languages, and the hybridity of multilingual identities.

The conference also addressed linguistic imperialism, multilingualism in digital communication, the psychological effects of linguistic racism, and language's role in societal change.

Professor Asifa Sultana (BRAC University) and Dr Rafi Saleh (University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh) presented critical research on decolonial language education and the intersection of language, identity, and social change.

In the closing ceremony, Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, Advisor and Founder of BIL, highlighted the conference's commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable world and expressed optimism about its potential to drive transformative change in language education.

Dr. Arifa Rahman, Advisor, Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA), and former Director and Professor, Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka, praised the BIL's initiatives in organizing the conference and emphasized the importance of providing education in a language children understand, noting that 40% of people still lack access to such education.

Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, PhD, Pro Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University, stressed the importance of depoliticising education and emphasised that developing communication skills to use a language effectively is as important as merely learning it.

Professor Shaila Sultana, Phd, director of BIL and conference convener, emphasised the need to challenge traditional approaches to language education, Professor Shaila Sultana, PhD, Director of BIL, and the conference convener shared key insights. She offered critical policy recommendations and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the event's success.

Mr. Scott E. Hartmann, Director for Public Engagement, Public Diplomacy Section, US Embassy, also spoke in the event. The event concluded with a cultural evening showcasing performances by BRAC University students and Joler Gaan.