The Association of English Teachers of Montenegro ELTAM, at the Faculty of Philology in Nikšić, organized a two-day tenth national and fourth international conference for teachers of English and other foreign languages entitled "Education as a Passport to the Future".
The event was opened by US Ambassador to Podgorica Judy Rising Reinke, who emphasized that the anniversary, ten years since the renewal of ELTAM, represents "a decade of growth, commitment, and collaboration in English language teaching in Montenegro", but also "deepening partnerships, including the partnership between the United States and Montenegro".
"Education is truly a passport to new opportunities, and learning English unlocks the door to a more prosperous future. Today's economy, technological advancement, trade, and even security are unimaginable without knowledge of the English language," said Reinke, adding that the US Embassy in Podgorica was proud to support national and international conferences organized by ELTAM.
According to her, in addition to providing financial support to the aforementioned association, they brought experts from the USA who "contributed their expertise to events that were crucial for the professional development of English language teachers", but also enriched the educational landscape of Montenegro".
"In addition, the US has continuously supported the professional development of local teachers. Over the past ten years, more than 200 teachers from Montenegro have become alumni of online exchange programs funded by the State Department, implemented by prestigious American universities. More than ten ELTAM members have had the opportunity to participate in one of the State Department's renowned exchange programs in the United States," the ambassador emphasized, listing the direct support they have provided to English language teachers and students in Montenegro.
As she pointed out, good language skills are a powerful tool that opens up new opportunities.
"The aim of the event is to improve the professional competences of teachers through expanding knowledge about innovations, creative methods and work techniques, as well as the use of modern technology in teaching, exchange of experiences and good practices. This is the conference that has, so far, gathered the largest number of teachers, around 140, even though these days are external graduation and assessment, which is an indicator that teachers like to come to ELTAM days and that they have something to hear, learn and apply in teaching," stressed Dragana Radoman, president of the Association.
The conference brought together around 145 teachers of English and other foreign languages from Montenegro, 45 international speakers and guests.
"There are five plenary sessions, 21 workshops, eight demo classes and 14 presentations. Teachers can choose the lectures they want to attend, depending on their interests. The program has information about what age group it is for, what the topic is, so they choose what they think they will be able to apply in their teaching," said Radoman.
The conference was supported by the US Embassy, as well as the State Department's Regional Office for the Promotion of English Language Programs RELO, headquartered in Belgrade, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, the Institute for Education, the Center for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe in Graz, the Faculty of Philology in Nikšić, the Pearson publishing house in Belgrade, the British Council, Data Status, and the SOL organization, and over 80 awards were provided for teachers and conference participants.
At the opening of the conference, in addition to the US Ambassador and Dragana Radoman, the Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United Kingdom, Sara Pilbim, the Director General of the Directorate for Higher Education and Student Standards at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Dragana Ćetković, and the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Dr. Igor Lakić, also addressed the audience.
Bonus video:
