العربية 
English H. E. Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniya Patronizes Fourth International Specialized Conference on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Middle East College
Under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniya, Minister of Education, Middle East College today hosted the Fourth International Specialized Conference on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), bringing together the region’s leading English language educators to confront the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence in classrooms and workplaces.
The conference, held under the theme “ELT in the Dynamic Age of AI and the World of Work,” comes at a pivotal moment as educational institutions across the Sultanate grapple with integrating emerging technologies while maintaining pedagogical excellence. With generative AI tools rapidly reshaping learning environments and labor markets, today’s gathering addresses questions being asked by educators from Salalah to Sohar: How do we prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist? What does authentic English language proficiency mean in an AI-augmented world?
Distinguished speakers, researchers, and practitioners from across the GCC countries and international institutions will share cutting-edge research and practical strategies throughout the day-long event at the Student Hub. Panel discussions will examine AI-enhanced language learning methodologies, digital literacy imperatives, and the evolution of workplace communication skills in an increasingly automated economy.
The Minister’s patronage underscores the conference’s alignment with Oman Vision 2040’s emphasis on educational innovation and human capital development. As the Sultanate positions itself as a regional knowledge hub, the conference activities today demonstrate the commitment to equipping Omani students and educators with the competencies required by tomorrow’s economy.
The conference has secured a strategic partnership with Sohar Islamic and Sohar International, a move that reflects the private sector’s growing recognition of the importance of English language proficiency and technological literacy as two fundamental pillars for achieving Oman’s economic diversification goals. Both institutions have demonstrated their steadfast commitment to supporting educational initiatives that bridge the gap between academic qualification and labor market requirements.
Key sessions will tackle pressing concerns including the ethical dimensions of AI in education, assessment authenticity in the age of ChatGPT, and strategies for developing critical thinking skills that transcend algorithmic capabilities. Attendees will explore how teachers can leverage AI as a pedagogical tool rather than viewing it as a threat, and how language instruction must evolve to emphasize uniquely human communication competencies—creativity, cultural intelligence, emotional resonance, and complex problem-solving.
The Fourth Conference builds on three successful previous editions that have established Middle East College as a convener of consequential conversations about English language education in the region. This year’s focus on AI integration responds directly to feedback from previous participants who identified technology adoption as their most pressing professional development need.
Beyond the immediate educational community, today’s discussions carry implications for Oman’s broader competitiveness in attracting international investment, tourism, and knowledge-based industries where English proficiency remains a gateway skill. As AI tools democratize access to language translation, the conference explores what it means to truly master English as a medium for innovation, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Educators, policymakers, and industry representatives gathering at Middle East College’s Student Hub today share a common recognition: the convergence of AI and English language teaching is not a distant future challenge but a present imperative requiring collaborative solutions, innovative thinking, and the kind of regional knowledge exchange that events like this conference enable.
