Speaker
Description
As English language teaching increasingly shifts toward ESL-oriented realities, communicative competence requires more than mastery of written grammar structures. Research in corpus linguistics has consistently shown that everyday spoken interaction relies heavily on features such as discourse markers, ellipsis, vague language, and other patterns typical of spontaneous speech. However, these features remain largely underrepresented in many published textbooks and classroom syllabi, which may lead to learners’ limited awareness of, and insufficient competence in, authentic interaction in ESL settings. Grounded in corpus-based research on spoken English and theories of communicative and interactional competence, including the role of automaticity, this interactive workshop examines the gap between textbook grammar and authentic language use. When learners are predominantly exposed to written-style structures, their output, while grammatically accurate, may sound overly formal, unnatural, or disconnected from real conversational conventions. Participants will analyze authentic spoken extracts, reflect critically on current materials, and explore practical strategies for integrating spoken grammar into lessons without sacrificing clarity or structural progression. Drawing on classroom-based practice, the session will demonstrate how spoken grammar can be systematically embedded across proficiency levels and age groups. By the end of the workshop, participants will gain both a solid theoretical rationale and a practical framework for incorporating spoken grammar into their teaching in ways that enhance fluency, confidence, and learners’ ability to engage in authentic communication.
Biography
Amir is a Delta-qualified teacher, a Cambridge-certified trainer, a speaking examiner, and a TKT tutor with over 14 years of experience in English language education. He holds an M.A. in TEFL and has written several articles for professional publications in the field of ELT. Throughout his career, he has taught learners of all ages, proficiency levels, and different walks of life in diverse classroom contexts.
He currently serves as the academic manager and team leader of foreign teachers at CB Centres in Vietnam, where he mentors teachers, leads professional development initiatives, and supports curriculum implementation. In addition to his institutional role, Amir works as a freelance educator, running IELTS teacher-training programs, designing exam preparation courses, and delivering tailored workshops for local and international institutions. His professional interests include inclusive practice, learner autonomy, teacher agency, and professional development.
Amir views education as both a responsibility and a lifelong pursuit. He considers himself a reflective practitioner, a committed educator, and a constant work in progress. He strongly believes that professional growth stems from curiosity, critical thinking, and continuous refinement of practice. His personal motto encapsulates this mindset: ''There is always room for improvement and never room for complacency.''
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