The International Conference on English Language Studies (ICELS) is an ongoing collaboration between Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Khon Kaen University (KKU), Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU) and Mahasarakham University (MSU). The conference venue rotates each year among the four host universities. These four distinguished public universities located in the Northeast of Thailand co-organize the conference to provide a platform for academics, researchers and teachers of English so that they may discuss and share experiences with fellow professionals within all sectors of English language teaching and present their academic work to a wider audience. The main purpose for the ICELS is to promote communication between academics, researchers and teachers of English language, coming from various international environments and backgrounds.
This year’s conference will be organized by the School of Foreign Languages at Suranaree University of Technology. SUT was established as the first public autonomous university in Thailand, outside the civil service system, under the supervision of the Royal Thai Government. It is a university town which aims to promote internal and external efficiency and academic freedom in its operations and to be a community of scholars in the arts, sciences and technology, to benefit both the individual and society. SUT is located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province about 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. Nakhon Ratchasima is a large province on the northeastern plateau and acts as a gateway to other provinces in the northeast. The venue is set in a lively and self-contained campus that is only 19 km away from the city center, making it easily accessible for both national and international participants of the ICELS. The content and environment of this conference is sure to be beneficial to all individuals involved, both intellectually and socially for their ongoing futures in English language teaching and learning.