Inaugural Conference: Talking Across the World

[Joa]

Have a look! See if you're interested~


INAUGURAL CONFERENCE

“TALKING ACROSS THE WORLD”

English Communication Skills for the ITES Industry

February 24th (Friday) and 25th (Saturday) 2006

MANILA, Philippines

http://www.engl.polyu.edu.hk/conference/



The Information Technology Enabled Services - ITES - Industry is the fastest growing user of English language training in the world. The two major destinations for outsourced processing and call centres are India and the Philippines, with China becoming ever more important. It is thus timely to hold the inaugural ITES English Skills Conference in Manila.



This conference will bring together ITES industry practitioners in outsourcing destinations in Asia with international English language teachers and applied linguistic academics and researchers. At this conference we hope to generate new ideas, cross disciplinary boundaries, and share research and practice about English language in all areas of the ITES industry. It will be a unique opportunity for academics and business to share experience and learn from each other.



Specifically, this conference will address the following language issues which are critical for ensuring appropriate English language skills in non-English speaking countries.



How do we make English language training relevant for companies and participants in the call centre and ITES industries?
What is the value of English language communication for a company?
How do we measure English language skill levels accurately for recruitment and training needs?
What are the issues in developing Quality scorecards that reflect quality targets, communication needs and training agendas?
What is an industry language audit?
What are the current best practices in English language communication, assessment and training, and trainer education for the ITES Industry?


The opening speech will be delivered by Mr. Bong Borja, Chairman of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP).



Key speakers will include:

Neil Elias, President, AIG Business Processing Service Inc, Philippines
Title: Overview of the industry and setting the agenda for the language communication needs within the industry

Tony Bruno, Director, Limebridge (HK) Limited, Hong Kong
Title: Commercial and operational dynamics in contact centres, and their implication on communication

Simon Kriss, President & CEO, Sagatori, Hong Kong
Title: Strategic Advantage - what the Board Level is expecting from the call centre channel

Dr Jane Lockwood and Dr Gail Forey, Hong Kong Institute of Education and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Language research directions and possibilities: How can it help?


Papers from academics and industry practitioners will cover the following sectors:



Call centre operations and communication

ITES English Curriculum

ITES English Assessment

Trainer/coach education and support

Applied linguistics

Discourse analysis

Communication studies

Intercultural / cross-cultural communication

Organisational communication

Quality assurance measurement



Please see enclosed registration and call for papers/speakers forms. The submission deadline is 15 January 2006. All registration fees must be paid by this date. Should payment not be received, your name will be removed from the programme.



Details of Venue & Accommodation:

The conference venue is AIM. For accommodation please contact AIM directly. They offer rooms at a reasonable rate:

Asian Institute of Management Conference Centre
Benavidez cor. Trasierra Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1260 Philippines

E-mail Address: [email protected]
Telephone No.: (632) 750-1010

http://www.accm.aim.edu.ph/



For further details, please contact:



Joanne Lee

Talking Across The World Conference

Department of English

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hung Hom

Kowloon

Hong Kong



Tel. +852 2766 4916

[email protected]

or our the conference website:

http://www.engl.polyu.edu.hk/conference/

[fluffyhamster]

Did you not notice the 'Announcements' forum (immediately above this, the AL one)? By that I mean, no offence, but your post isn't likely to generate much discussion, only views.