From January 9 to January 11, 2025, an international seminar was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, organized on the initiative of the British organization British Council. The International training seminar for English language specialists and teachers was held at the Uzbek State World Languages University and was dedicated to the topic ” Accelerating English language learning in Central Asia.” The seminar was attended by representatives of leading universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as experts in the field of teaching English.
Special attention at the seminar was paid to the role of continuous professional development and reflective practice in the framework of English teacher training programs.
The international seminar was attended by a senior researcher at the National Institute of Education of Turkmenistan, English language teachers from Makhtumkuli Turkmen State University and Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages.
The main objectives of the seminar were identified:
- To introduce the concept of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) journeys and reflective practices across a teacher’s career journey from PRESETT (Pre-service Training of Teachers of English) to schools.
- To unify participants’ understanding of reflection, reflective practices and the reflective cycle.
- To explore and understand the reflective practice materials and tasks developed for the AELLCA (Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia) project.
- To explore the role of CPD within PRESETT in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
Participants of the seminar discussed key aspects of the reform of English language teaching in public educational institutions. Particular emphasis was placed on the significance of continuous professional development and reflection in the process of teacher preparation. They also noted the need for a shift from the transmission of theoretical knowledge towards the development of practical skills during teacher training, as well as the significance of aligning curricula with international standards.
In addition, special attention was paid to the development of clear criteria for assessing students’ language competence both at the initial stage of study and at its completion. The teachers noted the importance of continuous self-improvement and development.
Undoubtedly, the seminar will make an important contribution to the process of improving the quality of English language teaching in each of the Central Asian countries. The valuable knowledge and tools acquired by the seminar participants will help improve their work efficiency, as well as give them the opportunity to share their experience with their colleagues.