Contents

1. Why
2. What
3. How
Preparation
Presentation
Participation
Networking
4. Q & A

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 Conference
Choose 1 adjective to describe the word conference
and explain why you chose it

(noun)
A formal meeting of people with a shared interest,
typically one that take place over several days.
(verb)
[no object] (usually as noun conferencing)
Take part in a conference or conference call
(Oxford online dictionary)

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 WHY conference?

In groups, discuss and write down some

Pros & Cons of conferencing

Pros Cons

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 Pros Cons
Opportunities to:
+ learn / develop your profession - lots of stress
+ get instant feedback, ideas, advice - extra workload
+ get published, get invited to write / - investment
present similar papers of time &
+ share research interests energy
+ form special groups of interests - challenge
(community of practice)
+ invite or get invited to collaborate on
research projects
+ get inspired to continuing PD
+ get updated with current trends
+ get to know new materials (displays)
+ travel, explore different lands & cultures
(Simpson, 2014; T. Nguyen, 2015; X. Nguyen, 2015; Wallace, 2015)
 WHAT conference?
In groups, share what conferences youve been to.
Would you recommend them to others? Why (not)?

Some common conferences in ELT & Education:

1. AsiaTEFL
2. CamTESOL, ThaiTESOL, KoreanTESOL, VietTESOL
3. JALT (Japan Association for Language Teaching)
4. Asian Conference in Education
5. GLoCALL, KAMALL, ICT for Language Learning
6. ALAA/ALANZ/ALTAANZ

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 WHAT conference?
Conference sites:
+ http://iafor.org/
+ http://conference.pixel-online.net/
+ http://www.iises.net/

Conference alerts:
+ http://www.conferencealerts.com/index
+ http://www.allconferencealert.com/
+ http://www.tesol.org/attend-and-learn/calendar-of-events

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 WHAT conference?
Discuss what makes you choose a conference?
Things to consider:
Themes
Key note speakers
Onsite / online?
Date & venue
Registration fee (free? discount? grant?)
Expenses & your budget
Financial support (participation fee, accommodation?)
Bonus (free publication? free tours?)

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 HOW conference?
What do we need to do before the conference?
Study the conference
Abstract, conference proceedings
Pay conference fee
Presentation materials (Ppt slides & poster, handouts)
Other materials (e.g.: markers, paper, etc.)
Check list
Presentation notes, prompts, scripts
Rehearsal
Predicting questions, preparing answers, predicting
potential problems Back-up plan(s)
Travel logistics & arrival
Room layout & size
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 Presentation
Compare and contrast teaching in a classroom
and presenting at a conference
Teaching Presenting
in a classroom at a conference

Similarities

Differences

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 Presentation
Watch the video and make notes of 10 tips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5WT2vweFRY
1. Focus on the audience
2. Delete all excess text from your slides
3. Keep it simple
4. Rehearse
5. Make friends with people
6. Dress to impress
7. Be comfortable
8. Stand still
9. Tell a story
10. Be enthusiastic
(Willis, 2011)
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 Tricks of the trade
Stick to the time allowance
Backup slides
Prepare for computer problems
Give handouts (if any) at the end of the presentation
Positive self-talk to address worries & anxiety
Use silence for audience attention, and to think and
breathe
Always speak in your own accent
Slower and stronger is better and better
(Dubriwny, 2011; Lewis, 2013; Simpson, 2014; Wallace, 2015)

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Techniques to start our presentation
Ask questions
Use a story
Make a surprising comment (often a statistic)
Use a quotation
Create curiosity
Mention the importance of the topic
Involve the audience
Refer to the occasion
(Wallace, 2015)

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 Handling Q&A session
Ask the person to stand up and project their voice
Ask for their name
Listen to the entire question
Take notes therere more than 1
Thank for the person for asking the question with their name
Repeat respond review
Check if your answers are satisfactory
Dont get led away by interesting but unrelated questions

(Simpson, 2014; Wallace, 2015; X. Nguyen, 2015)

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 Handling Q&A session
What if we dont know the answer?
Suggest someone in the audience more qualified answer
the question. Professor M. has studied this extensively.
Delay, Thats a good question...
Ask a question: Can you clarify what you mean?
Admit you dont know but will research it for them.
Repeat the question in a different way: Is this what you
are asking? [Then say a question you can answer]
If you dont have a good answer after these delaying
tactics, say: Lets talk about that after my talk.
(Wallace, 2015)

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 Presentation materials
Tips:

Prezi for slideshow

Template: the conference template, conference
logo and other details
Free downloadable templates:
http://www.free-power-point-templates.com/
Free downloadable posters:
http://www.posterpresentations.com/html/free_post
er_templates.html

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 Active participation

Discuss how to make the most of a conference

Read the conference programme

Plan a schedule
Pay attention, show interest
Join discussion
Take notes, photos, record
Ask questions
Give comments
Network

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 Networking
In groups,
Match the picture with the strategies / tips
Put them in the appropriate groups below:
1.Getting ready to network
2.Making an impression
3.Following up

Keys

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Q&A

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 References
Allen, S. (2015). Top 10 conference networking tips. Retrieved from
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/b/2009/03/13/top-10-conference-networking-
tips.htm
Dubriwny, T. (2011). Effective conference presentations. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-WD4X4IKEs
Lewis, K. (2013). Tricks of the trade: Becoming a confident conference presenter.
Paper presented at the Development and Skills Conference, Birmingham.
Simpson, A. (2014). How to present at a language teacher's conference.
Retrieved from https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/526652
Wallace, S. (2015). How to present a paper at an academic conference.
Retrieved from www.editing.tw/files/SpeechD.ppt
WikiHow. (2015). How to network at a conference. Retrieved from
http://www.wikihow.com/Network-at-a-Conference
Willis, R. (2011). Presenting and public speaking tips - How to improve skills &
confidence Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=Q5WT2vweFRY

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