Symposium - Transforming TESOL Teacher Education: Humanistic Approaches to Technology and Pedagogy

School of Education and Languages Symposium - Transforming TESOL Teacher Education: Humanistic Approaches to Technology and Pedagogy

Join us for the Hong Kong Metropolitan University TESOL Teacher Education Symposium on  20-21 January 2026, under the theme Transforming TESOL Teacher Education: Humanistic Approaches to Technology and Pedagogy. This two-day event brings together global leaders in English language education to explore innovative, human-centered strategies for teaching and teacher well-being.

Day 1 features inspiring keynotes and presentations on generative AI, teacher questioning, pedagogic discourse, task-based language teaching, and teacher emotions.

Day 2 offers hands-on workshops on fostering teacher well-being and applying the appraisal framework for discourse analysis. Designed for English teachers, researchers, and teacher educators, this symposium provides practical tools, reflective discussions, and networking opportunities to transform your practice. Be part of the future of TESOL education in Hong Kong and beyond!

Hosted by Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the TESOL Teacher Education Symposium 2026 (20-21 January) is a premier event for English language educators seeking to reimagine their teaching through humanistic, innovative approaches.

Day 1 showcases cutting-edge research and practical strategies from renowned scholars like Prof. Angel M. Y. Lin, Prof. Guangwei Hu, Prof. J R Martin, Prof. Shaofeng Li, Prof. Peter De Costa and Prof. Christoph Hafner, covering generative AI, productive questioning, pedagogic discourse, task-based learning, and teacher emotions.

Day 2 deepens the experience with interactive workshops: one exploring teacher well-being through reflective dialogue and another applying Systemic Functional Linguistics' appraisal framework to analyze educational discourse. Whether you're a classroom teacher, researcher, or teacher educator, this symposium offers actionable insights, collaborative opportunities, and a vibrant community to advance TESOL education.

Day 1: Inspiring Talks (20 January)

  • Prof. Angel M. Y. Lin: Discover ethical, practical ways to use generative AI in English teaching, guided by the PAA Model (plurilingualism, affect, agency).
  • Prof. Guangwei Hu: Learn a framework for productive teacher questioning to boost student engagement in EMI classrooms.
  • Prof. J R Martin: Explore pedagogic discourse through Systemic Functional Linguistics to scaffold teaching and learning.
  • Prof. Shaofeng Li: Dive into task-based language teaching, with evidence-based strategies for real-world communication.
  • Prof. Peter De Costa: Understand teacher emotions and their role in fostering well-being and effective teaching.
  • Prof. Christoph Hafner: Digital multimodal composing in the age of AI: Rethinking language education again.

Day 2: Interactive Workshops (21 January)

  • Enacting Teacher Well-Being: A Research-Practice-Reflection Dialogue (Prof. Peter De Costa): Engage in a collaborative discussion on teacher agency, emotional labor, and well-being, using case studies and reflective group activities to empower your professional practice.
  • Working with Appraisal: A Re-appraisal (Prof. J R Martin): Apply the Systemic Functional Linguistics appraisal framework to analyze evaluation in educational discourse, exploring implicit/explicit attitudes, lexical metaphors, and multimodal elements like emojis.

Practical Takeaways: Leave with tools like AI prompt patterns, questioning frameworks, task design strategies, emotion regulation techniques, and reflective practices to transform your teaching.

Networking: Connect with Hong Kong's TESOL community and global experts to share ideas and build collaborations.

Prof. Peter De Costa
Michigan State University
Prof. Christoph Hafner
City University
of Hong Kong  
Prof. Guangwei Hu
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Shaofeng Li
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Angel M. Y. Lin
The Education University of Hong Kong
Prof. J R Martin
The University of Sydney
Prof. Peter De Costa
Michigan State University
Prof. Christoph Hafner
City University
of Hong Kong  
Prof. Guangwei Hu
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Shaofeng Li
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Angel M. Y. Lin
The Education University of Hong Kong
Prof. J R Martin
The University of Sydney

(Registration Deadline: 14 Jan 2026)

Don't miss this chance to transform your English language teaching practice at the TESOL Teacher Education Symposium 2026, 20-21 January, at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. From cutting-edge talks on technology and pedagogy to hands-on workshops on teacher well-being and discourse analysis, this event equips you with the tools to thrive in today's classrooms. Early bird registration opens soon—secure your spot now and join a global community dedicated to humanistic, innovative TESOL education!

For Educators

Empowering English Teachers

The TESOL Symposium 2026 is tailored for English language educators seeking practical, human-centered strategies.

  • On Day 1, learn how to integrate generative AI, craft engaging questions, design real-world tasks, and nurture emotional well-being in your classroom.
  • On Day 2, participate in workshops to reflect on your professional well-being and analyze classroom discourse using the appraisal framework. Walk away with actionable tools to balance technology and pedagogy while keeping your students' cultural and emotional needs at the core of your teaching.

For Researchers and Teacher Educators

Advancing TESOL Scholarship and Practice

The TESOL Symposium 2026 is a must-attend for researchers and teacher educators exploring the future of English language education.

  • Day 1 offers research-driven insights into generative AI, teacher questioning, pedagogic discourse, task-based learning, and teacher emotions.
  • Day 2's workshops dive deeper, with opportunities to discuss teacher well-being through case studies and apply the appraisal framework to analyze educational texts across primary, secondary, and tertiary contexts. Engage with leading scholars, contribute to global TESOL conversations, and explore collaborative research opportunities.

Venue: Multi-Purpose Hall, 10/F, Main Campus, Hong Kong Metropolitan University 

Address: 30 Good Shepherd Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

📍Please click here to download the route guide.

MC
MC10

Organizer:

Research Institute for Bilingual Learning and Teaching (RIBiLT)

Sponsor: 

HKMU QEM Fund

TESOL Teacher Education Symposium 2026 Organizing Committee:

Prof. Andy Chi-on Chin, Prof. Peppina Po-lun Lee, Dr. Winfred Wenhui Xuan; Ms. Macharlie Ng, Mr. Michael So, Ms. Noelle Yuen, Ms. Lina Ye, Ms. Cassie Lin