STATEMENT ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE 60th PALT ANNIVERSARY AND 2020 PAC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
June 03, 2020
The Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc. (PALT) wishes to announce its decision to postpone the conduct of the 60th PALT Anniversary and 2020 PAC International Conference originally scheduled to be held at the Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines on December 3-5, 2020.
PALT is saddened by this development because it has been looking forward to welcoming its friends and partners from its affiliates from the Asia Pacific and beyond to its celebration of its 60th anniversary and its hosting of the Pan-Asian Consortium of Language Teaching Societies (PAC) International Conference on Language Education. This milestone in PALT’s history as a professional organization would have been a perfect opportunity for language teachers, researchers, planners, and policymakers to engage in discussions that promote sharing of the latest trends, developments, and practices in the teaching of language in Asia.
However, after a thorough evaluation of conditions we all find ourselves in, PALT has decided that the gravity and the uncertainty of the situation demand that we act with due caution, mindful of the participants’ welfare and safety as our primary concern. More importantly, PALT strongly feels that at this time, everyone must devote one’s time and resources to ensuring the well-being of our families, communities, and countries.
Despite this challenge, PALT hopes to hold this anniversary conference next year once the circumstances permit it. Meanwhile, PALT will continue to keep in touch with its affiliate organizations and its general membership on matters pertaining to this conference as well as on other activities that the association has lined up for the year. In this connection, members and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to visit the website, https://www.paltphilippines.com, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PALTNationalConference/, for the latest information. They can also go to the membership page, https://www.paltphilippines.com/regular, for instructions, renewal of membership, and other concerns.
PALT is one with the nation and the world in this time of pandemic. Together, we, the community of language scholars, stand united in our efforts to conquer this disease and prove that our ideals will prevail.
STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING, INC. ON ITS 2020 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
March 31, 2020
As the nation and the world continue to face the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc., wishes to announce that the 2020 National Conference and Convention slated at Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines from 7 to 9 May 2020 has been postponed due to this continuing health emergency. Instead, the national conference and convention will be merged with the 60th PALT Anniversary and 2020 PAC International Conference in Language Education to be held in Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines from 3 to 5 December 2020
The difficult decision was made by PALT’s Board of Trustees after taking into consideration the developments of the past few months in which hundreds of thousands of people across the globe have been infected by the disease. These infections have led many nations, including the Philippines, to severely restrict domestic and international travel. The Philippines has also imposed enhanced community quarantine on Luzon, where Saint Mary’s University is located, which led to the closure of government and private offices, businesses, and establishments not deemed essential by local authorities. These decisions have made it difficult for PALT to organize a national gathering in May. It is for these reasons and PALT’s concern for the health and well being of its members and participants that it arrived at this decision to postpone the confab. More importantly, this postponement will allow PALT’s will allow its officers and members to focus on more essential concerns of the community and the nation.
Despite the postponement of its national convention, PALT will continue to accept online applications for membership. Those who are interested in becoming PALT members will find detailed instructions here: https://www.paltphilippines.com/regular.
PALT is constantly evaluating the situation in order for it to make an updated guidance on its upcoming activities and engagements, especially information related to its international conference in December. The latest details for this international conference can be found on this page, https://www.paltphilippines.com/2020icon-1, while those interested in presenting their papers can submit through this link: https://forms.gle/ikrcbSrsGoo9kfVe7. The organization also encourages you to regularly visit PALT’s website, https://www.paltphilippines.com, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PALTNationalConference/, for updated and relevant information.
PALT is one with the nation and the world in this fight against this dreaded disease. With everybody’s cooperation, proper communication of information, and concerted and coherent government action, PALT believes that humanity will conquer this pandemic.