METU Department of Basic English

16th METU International ELT Convention

Dear esteemed educators, researchers, and ELT professionals,

We are delighted to invite you to the 16th International METU ELT Convention, to be held at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey, on May 8–9, 2026.

This year’s convention carries special meaning as we proudly celebrate METU’s 70th anniversary — seven decades of pioneering education, research, and service to society. Founded on the principles of “Science, Virtue, and Conscience,” and guided by our enduring motto, “We Can Change the World,” METU continues to inspire innovation, critical inquiry, and social responsibility in every field of study, including English language education to build a compassionate global society.

Our theme, “Voices Beyond Algorithms: Reclaiming the Human Touch in Language Learning,” calls on us to reflect on the evolving balance between technology and humanity in the classroom. As artificial intelligence and digital tools increasingly shape how we teach and learn, this convention invites us to reimagine language education as a deeply human endeavor — one grounded in empathy, creativity, and ethical awareness.

At a time when algorithms often mediate our interactions, it is through human connection that meaning, understanding, and belonging are created. This year, we come together to explore how teachers, learners, and researchers can harness the benefits of technology while preserving the heart of education — our capacity for empathy, curiosity, and genuine dialogue.

Aligned with METU’s vision to cultivate individuals who think critically, act responsibly, and contribute to a more just and sustainable world, this year’s convention provides a space to engage in dialogue, collaboration, and reflection. Participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, classroom practices, research findings, and innovations that reflect the human spirit in language learning.

The METU ELT Convention has long been a meeting point for educators, theorists, practitioners, materials developers, and publishers from around the world. Together, we will continue this tradition of meaningful exchange — envisioning new pathways that strengthen our shared humanity and reaffirm the teacher’s role as a bridge between knowledge, empathy, and understanding.

As we mark 70 years of METU’s vision and excellence, we invite you to join us in reclaiming the human touch in education and celebrating the voices that make language learning a profoundly human experience.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ankara, to METU, and to a convention that reaffirms our collective belief that through education, we truly can change the world.