MEET THE 04 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS - INTESOL INTERNATION CONFERENCE

4 keynote speakers, 4 unique journeys – all converging at the INTESOL 2026 International Conference. Let’s meet this year’s keynote speakers!

Theme: “Towards English as a Second Language in Vietnam: Pedagogical, Policy, and Practice Perspectives”

1. Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong Van

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong Van

INTESOL Worldwide Trainer

Integrating Debate-Based Pedagogy to Support Vietnam’s Transition from EFL to ESL.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong Van is the Founder of VEDUCON and INTESOL Vietnam, the Master Franchise of INTESOL Worldwide in Vietnam. With more than 30 years of experience in education, she has made significant contributions to teacher development and educational innovation. She is also the author of ALAP’s certified teacher training course, Teaching Debate: A Professional Training Course for Educators. Guided by her belief that “sharing knowledge brings happiness,” Dr. Van is dedicated to empowering educators and bringing critical thinking into classrooms across Vietnam.

2. Prof. Alfinur Galiakberova

Prof. Alfinur Galiakberova

Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University, Russia

Transfer of Pedagogical Models: The Experience of Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University in Digitalization and Internationalization of Education.

Prof. Alfinur Galiakberova is a Russian educator and economist currently serving as Rector of Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University. She holds the title of Candidate of Economic Sciences and Associate Professor. Her leadership focuses on digital transformation, innovative teaching practices, teacher training, and international partnerships that strengthen educational quality and regional development.

3. Dr. Gulnur Polkina

Dr. Gulnur Polkina

Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University, Russia

Integration of Local History and Cultural Material into English Language Teaching as Basis for the Development of Multicultural Personality

Dr. Gulnur Polkina is an Associate Professor at the Department of Romano-Germanic Languages and Methods of their Teaching and Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology at Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University, Russia. Her research interests include intercultural communication, identity formation in foreign language education, and integrating regional cultural content into ELT.

4. Ada Hou

Ada Hou

Senior Academic Services Consultant, National Geographic Learning

From Now to Next: Developing Essential Future-Ready Skills

Ada Hou is a Senior Academic Services Consultant for National Geographic Learning based in Beijing, China. With more than a decade of experience in English language teaching and teacher training, she has worked with language institutions and private schools. She holds the TEFL International English Teaching Certificate, the National Senior High School English Teaching Certificate of China, and Cambridge TKT and CLIL Certificates. Her academic interests include student engagement, learner autonomy, and the integration of authentic materials into English language teaching.

Conference Date: August 7, 2026

Location: HUFLIT - 828 Su Van Hanh, Hoa Hung Ward, HCMC

We look forward to seeing all teachers, lecturers, and professionals at the event!