The Department of English Language Teaching (DELT), Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna, proudly presents its inaugural International Conference on Decolonizing English, scheduled to take place from August 11th to 13th, 2025. This ground-breaking event is designed to foster critical conversations about the role of English in postcolonial societies and to reimagine English Language Teaching (ELT) in ways that embrace local identities, knowledge systems, and cultural contexts.

The conference will feature a three-day international forum, two-day workshop on mentoring to publishing, and an optional tour package to explore the rich cultural landscape of the Northern Province. This multidisciplinary event brings together academics, practitioners, and students from
around the world to share insights and strategies for decolonizing English in theory and practice. We are honoured to receive generous sponsorship from Prof. Suresh Canagarajah, Evan Pugh University Professor at Pennsylvania State University.

Theme: Decolonizing English

Decolonizing English involves challenging the dominance of English as a global language and addressing the ways it has been used as a tool of colonialism. This process seeks to dismantle linguistic hierarchies, promote multilingualism, and validate Indigenous and marginalized
languages that have been suppressed or devalued through colonization. Decolonizing English also includes recognizing the cultural, political, and historical contexts in which English spread and addressing inequalities it creates, both in education and global communication. It advocates for
more inclusive and diverse linguistic practices, ensuring that non-English voices are heard and respected.

Decolonization in English Language Teaching (ELT) involves critically examining and reshaping how English is taught, moving away from traditional approaches that often reflect colonial power structures. Historically, ELT has promoted native-speaker norms and Western-centric content,
marginalizing local languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. Decolonizing ELT means incorporating diverse perspectives, valuing multilingualism, and acknowledging the global varieties of English without privileging one over another. It also calls for rethinking curricula,
teaching materials, and assessments methods to ensure they empower learners, reflect their cultural contexts, and resist reinforcing colonial legacies. This shift aims to create a more inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive approach to teaching English.

Sub-themes

• The politics of English in Asia
• Globalization of English
• Technology in communication
• Local diversity in English
• Localizing the Teaching of English
• Multilingualism in South Asia
• Sociolinguistic issues in the region

Objectives of the International Conference on “Decolonizing English” are:

• To offer a platform for scholars to present and share their research, contributing to diverse and critical conversations on English and English language teaching from decolonial perspectives.
• To mentor emerging scholars by providing practical guidance on research methodologies, academic writing, and publishing, fostering the next generation of thought leaders.
• To connect global scholars and facilitate interdisciplinary dialogues, encouraging the exchange of ideas across regions, contexts, and linguistic traditions.
• To engage with innovative research and explore evolving practices that challenge colonial legacies in English studies and ELT, promoting inclusive and transformative pedagogies.
• To showcase the cultural heritage of the Jaffna peninsula through a guided tour, offering participants a meaningful local experience that complements the academic discussions.