The 1st International Forum “Innovative Strategies in Foreign Language Learning” (IFFT-2023) starts its work
Within the framework of the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” the 1st International Forum (IFFT-2023) “Innovative Strategies in Foreign Language Learning” has started its work at UNEC.
The opening of the forum was attended by the rector, Prof. Adalat Muradov, Fergus Auld, the ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to our country, Anar Hasanov, the chairman of the board of “Yelo Bank”, Tahir Karimov, the personal translator of Heydar Aliyev, a graduate of Harvard University, as well as foreign language teachers of local and foreign educational institutions.
At the opening of the event, the dear memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs were honored, and then the National Anthem was played. Great Leader Heydar Aliyev’s speech on June 13, 2002 at the 70th anniversary of Azerbaijan State University of Economics was shown.
The rector of UNEC, Professor Adalat Muradov, voiced the thoughts of great leader during his speech at the 70th anniversary of the university: “In order to move the economy forward, to join the complex financial and economic system of the world, we need modern, prepared young people who know foreign languages and have mastered world experience.” The Rector pointed out that UNEC’s strategic goals are based on the Great Leader’s recommendations, and talked about the innovations implemented at the university in this direction. He pointed out that UNEC is an IELTS partner of the British Council and that Language Centre has been established in order for young people to better acquire foreign language skills and possess at least one foreign language upon graduation. He also noted that the foreign language is taught for 2 years on 4 skills, based on international experience.
Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Fergus Auld said that promoting the English language in Azerbaijan is one of the main priorities of the embassy. Ambassador appreciated the fact that UNEC is an IELTS partner of the British Council and emphasized the importance of young people acquiring foreign language skills. He shared his personal experience in learning a foreign language and noted that he learned the Azerbaijani language during his stay in our country.
Harvard University graduate Tahir Karimov, who was the personal translator of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, spoke about the Great Leader’s approach to the use of foreign languages in the country’s diplomacy, the reforms he carried out in this direction and the successful results.
Chairman of the board of “Yelo Bank” Anar Hasanov said that he was proud to be at the university he once graduated from. A. Hasanov, who shared his memories of the Great Leader’s visit to the University of Economics, highly appreciated the innovations carried out in the university based on the National Leader’s recommendations. He pointed out that cooperation between UNEC and “Yelo Bank” can be useful in this direction.
The moderator of the forum, the head of the UNEC Language Center, Associate professor Aysel Khalilova, informed participants about the program of the forum. He said that 14 workshops will be organized in the forum on different topics and with the speeches of different trainers.
After the speeches, the forum continued with presentations by representatives of the British Council, as well as local and foreign universities, with panel discussions on the difficulties in teaching English, their solutions, assessment of students’ knowledge, trends and opportunities.