Sustainability
in English Language Teaching
National Geographic Learning Conference 2023
We are delighted to extend your exclusive invitation to the National Geographic Learning Conference, to be held October 6-8 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, near Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
With Ankor in the background, this year’s conference will focus on “Sustainability in English Language Teaching”. Together we will explore how educators can use the idea of sustainability to promote effective classroom practice, to build enduring institutional growth models, and to empower learners and teachers to become effective stewards of the planet.
Through captivating speeches by industry leaders, enlightening talks by National Geographic Explorers, thought-provoking discussions with peers, and relevant real-world experience, we will collectively uncover best practices and surface innovative ideas for integrating sustainability into our work.
Your presence will enrich the discussions and contribute to a collective vision of sustainability for all – come to collaborate, learn, and shape the trajectory of our field.
Thank you for your support of National Geographic Learning. We hope to have the pleasure of your presence.
Speakers
Ribhu is a National Geographic Explorer and co-founder of WasteLess, based in India. He is passionate about education and dreams of a world without waste, where the concept of waste is only found in history books in schools. For the past 11 years, Ribhu has been searching for powerful educational experiences that can be scaled to reach many young minds. In November 2022, the WasteLess team launched Sea Change, an innovative curriculum about the microplastic cycle funded by the National Geographic Society. This is the first curriculum of its kind and is focused on educating children from government schools with the latest science.
Ribhu Vohra
Presentations
01
Teaching for Tomorrow – Learning that Lasts
Laura Le Dréan
"Education needs to do more than prepare young people for the world of work; it needs to equip students with skills to become active, responsible and engaged citizens.” This powerful quotation from 'The Future of Education 2030' position paper by OECD shines a light on the importance of sustainable skills. How should educators respond to this, and what does it look like in the classroom? In this session, Laura Le Dréan, Executive Editor at National Geographic Learning, will explore these questions and share her perspective on the fundamental shifts needed in English language teaching to better equip students for the future. Laura believes engaging and informative materials can empower learners to develop the skills and mindset that will help them achieve their long-term social, academic, and work goals. By addressing these needs today, students can build important habits to enable lifelong learning, extending the impact of education until long after graduation.
02
Adapt or Perish: Agility, Change, and the Future of Education
Ribhu Vohra
History is littered with the remnants of once-flourishing civilisations. The beautiful ruins share a cautionary tale of how we need to adapt to change. To 'build to last', we must be agile, adaptable, and ready for the future. The plastic pollution crisis is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century affecting everyone on the planet. National Geographic Explorer, Ribhu Vohra is on a mission to create change. He believes that change starts with winning hearts and minds, and that story begins in the classroom. Ribhu's Sea Change curriculum tackles the issue of microplastics in our oceans. To measure the influence Sea Change has had on learners, Ribhu has undertaken a large-scale impact evaluation study. As well as measuring knowledge gained, the innovative approach also measures how attitudes, social factors and emotions affect intention, which can drive behaviour. In his talk, Ribhu will share how every educator and institution has a role to play in this story. To empower learners to address the world's toughest problems, schools have a responsibility to connect with and inspire students to gain the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to bring about the lasting changes our world needs.
03
Harnessing the Power of Data for an Enhanced Student Experience
Matt Nespoli
Educational institutions around the world collect data on the performance and engagement levels of their students. However, based on extensive global qualitative and quantitative research with ELT administrators and teachers, it is clear that few institutions are collecting and using this data strategically, as a means for sustainable long-term improvement of their programs and curricula. Matt Nespoli, Vice President of Technology for National Geographic Learning shows how ELT administrators and teachers can use data and insights to create an enhanced and customized user experience for their students. Using the example of how National Geographic Learning built its own digital strategy on a deep foundation of data, Matt illustrates how all educators can do the same – using data from NGL’s learning platforms – to sustainably elevate the quality and impact of their programs.
04
The Role of English Learning in an Evolving Job Market
Christy Le
Christy Le, a renowned tech entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Alabaster, invites you on a journey through the transformative power of English. From humble beginnings with English learning in Vietnam in 1986, Christy attained impressive academic achievements at Oxford and MIT, followed by a successful career in international business. Her personal history is a testament to the boundless professional and academic opportunities that proficiency in English can unlock. In this session, Christy will delve into the enduring relevance of English in today's job market, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping careers and fostering global connections. Drawing upon her extensive experience as a tech leader and investor, she will examine the evolving landscape of English learning and teaching, particularly in the face of the impending AI revolution, and explore how individuals and institutions might adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Agenda
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The Signal App
In the lead up to and during the conference, we will be sending regular updates using the Signal App. Signal is a free and secure messaging app that collects virtually no user data. Please join the conversation by first downloading the app and then entering the "NGL 2023 Conference -- Siem Reap" group.
Photography and Videography
During the event, photography and video will be captured and shared via the conference communication channel and during the event. Please inform our staff if you do not wish to have your likeness included.
CONFERENCE COMMUNICATIONS
Hotel
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Accommodation
During the conference, guests will be staying at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort. A two-night reservation will be made under each guest’s name at the hotel from October 6 to 8, 2023. Reservations include a single room and all meals. Learn more about the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort.
Extra Services
Accommodation, group meals and travel to the hotel are all covered. Extra services such as telephone calls, consumable items from the minibar, laundry, room service, spa, prepaid movies, and beverages will be charged to guests’ personal accounts, and each guest will be responsible for payment upon checkout.
Check-In and Check-Out
Check-in time is any time after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023
Check-out is at noon on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Latest by 1:00 p.m.
A National Geographic Learning representative will be at the lobby from 10:00 a.m. onward to assist you with check-in and any other inquiries about the event as well as hotel amenities.
Airport Transfer on Arrival - Friday, October 6, 2023
We have arranged for free transportation from the airport to the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Specific details will be shared with you by our local team a few weeks before the conference.
Excursion to Angkor Wat
In the afternoon of Saturday, October 7th, an excursion has been arranged to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat. Please note that Angkor Wat is still an active spiritual site, and we request that guests follow the APSARA National Authority guidelines for visitors. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen.
Dress Code
The dress code for conference activities in all sessions is 'business casual'. For dinners and social activities, the dress code is 'casual'. Please Dress respectfully during the excursion to Angkor Wat. Avoid revealing clothing such as shorts and skirts above the knees or showing bare shoulders. A National Geographic Learning polo t-shirt will be provided for the excursion and group photograph.
Sustainable Menu
As part of our commitment to sustainability, wherever possible, we will endeavor to provide a sustainable menu based on National Geographic Society event planning guidelines:
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Vegetarian-first options wherever possible
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All foods served should be: fresh, locally grown, organic
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Seafood should be “ocean-friendly” meaning it has been caught or farmed using environmentally and socially responsible methods or has been sustainably harvested.
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Where meat is on the menu, pork and poultry will be favored, as they have less than half the carbon footprint of lamb or beef.
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Whenever red meat is offered, we will seek out products actively reducing carbon in their production (for example: reducing methane production, fertilizer use, and habitat destruction.)