Speaker
Description
This interactive session supports English teacher development by introducing effective, research-based multisensory strategies for teaching English structures to very young learners. Drawing on foundational theories of child development and language acquisition (Piaget, 1970; Scott & Ytreberg, 1990; Donaldson, 1978), the session highlights key characteristics of very young learners such as limited attention spans and a strong reliance on sensory input which have direct implications for instructional planning.
Participants will explore how engaging multiple senses including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory can significantly enhance language comprehension and retention. Theoretical insights are connected to classroom practices such as Total Physical Response, visual storytelling, sensory play, and music-based activities (Asher, 1977; Ćirković-Miladinović et al., 2023; Fidyaningrum et al., 2021). These methods not only support language learning but also contribute to learners’ motor skills, collaboration, and confidence.
Designed to enhance teachers' instructional flexibility and creativity, the session provides a practical toolkit of adaptable, classroom-ready strategies. English teachers will engage in demonstrations, reflect on their own teaching contexts, and discuss implementation techniques with peers. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and renewed insight into how sensory-informed instruction can strengthen very young learners' grasp of English structures while enriching their own teaching practice.
Biography
HA CAO THI HONG THU is a senior lecturer in the English Department at the National College of Education in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She has nearly three decades of experience in English language education, spanning teaching, curriculum development, and teacher training. She has worked with educators of young learners - from preschoolers to teenagers - at her college as well as at other universities, local departments of education and training, and publishing companies.
She holds a Master's degree in TESOL from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, part of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. For over 15 years, she has served as a speaking examiner for Cambridge English Language Assessment, contributing to the standardization of English proficiency evaluations.
Deeply committed to professional development, she has actively participated in numerous international and local TESOL conferences as a presenter, coordinator, reviewer, and volunteer. Her presentations often center on language pedagogy and teacher development, reflecting her passion for training educators and fostering a collaborative environment for the exchange of effective teaching practices.
