The Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN) proudly highlights the participation of Maria Hidayati as its representative attending the 60th RELC International Conference, held by Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Language Centre.
The conference, themed “Global Trends and Innovations in Language Education: Theory, Research, and Practice in Action” was held from 9 – 11 March 2026 at the RELC International Hotel in Singapore. This prestigious international event brought together educators, researchers, and practitioners from across the globe to discuss the emerging trends and innovations in language education. This conference invited a distinguished lineup of speakers from diverse regions, including Barry Bai (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong), Gary Barkhuisen (The University of Auckland, New Zealand), Betsy Gilliland (University of Hawaii Manoa, US), Rodney Jones (University of Reading, United Kingdom), Victor Lim Fei (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Dat Bao (Monash University, Australia), and other prominent speakers. Their participation reflects the strong international representation of Asia-Pacific, Oceania, North America, and Europe, enriching the conference with diverse perspectives on language pedagogy, teacher education, and technological innovation in English Language Teaching.
Representing TEFLIN, Maria Hidayati delivered a featured presentation entitled “Bridging Policy and Practice: Teachers’ Professional Growth through TEFLIN Deep Learning Training and Workshop.” Her presentation addressed the critical gap between educational policy and classroom practice, highlighting how TEFLIN’s professional development initiatives contribute to enhancing teachers’ pedagogical competence through deep learning approaches. Her participation underscores TEFLIN’s active engagement in global academic forums and its commitment to advancing English language teaching in Indonesia.
The conference also provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and future collaboration with international scholars and institutions. Through this international platform, TEFLIN continues to strengthen its role in fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and promoting innovation in language education. Insights gained from the conference, aligned with its theme, are expected to strengthen TEFLIN’s programs in Indonesia. The focus on innovation and the integration of theory, research, and practice can be translated into teacher training initiatives that incorporate AI and digital tools. In addition, the emphasis on global trends such as multilingualism and intercultural competence supports the development of more context-sensitive and inclusive classroom practices.
