KARACHI: The Society for English Language Teachers (SPELT) held a virtual press conference to celebrate their 37th anniversary on Friday.

Congratulating the SPELT team, former senator Javed Jabbar joked that they say life begins at 40, but at 37 SPELT has not even begun, and still achieved so much.

He said that despite the passage of 37 years, the core values of SPELT, such as transparency, meticulous attention, fulfilling the needs of students, etc, were still being maintained.

Stressing the importance of the English language, he said that English was far too important a language to be left to the British alone, and that there were more speakers of English even in China today.

He stressed the need for teachers to read more.

Brian Dare from Australia said he was honoured to be attending the celebration.

Rubina Khan from Bangladesh said that she attended the annual SPELT Conference in 2010 and 2014 and was impressed by the warmth and hospitality of the people here.

Dr Rajni Badani of India joined from Chicago. “The unique thing about Spelters is that they encourage and motivate you,” she said.

Veteran Pakistani journalist Zubeida Mustafa thanked Prof Zakia Sarwar for introducing her to SPELT all those years ago.

“Zakia told me all about SPELT and I wrote about it for the Herald magazine. We had teaching and pedagogy problems with our teachers but these brave ... teachers responded to it by setting up SPELT and I feel so privileged to be here today on SPELT’s 37th anniversary. I have witnessed SPELT’s work as I have attended many of their conferences. SPELT has grown, and grown stronger,” she said.

Dr Ganga Gautam from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, called SPELT his organisation Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association’s elder sister.

Hemanthi from Sri Lanka said she first attended the SPELT Conference in 2002.

“As a small school teacher, the experience of attending that conference has helped me grow in my profession.”

Linda Ruas from the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language, UK, also congratulated SPELT.

Journalist Beena Sarwar also joined in from the US to congratulate SPELT.

Dr Naeema Hann said that SPELT knew teachers and the warmth and happiness spread by these teachers were like a fragrant flower.

Khalid Mahmood, managing director and CEO of Getz Pharma also sent a recorded message where he stressed the importance of the English language.

Arshad Saeed Hussain, managing director, Oxford University Press, in his recorded message said SPELT was the leading teacher’s training organisation in Pakistan.

Michael Houlgate of the British Council called SPELT’s work so far amazing in his video message.

Zohra Yusuf from Spectrum Communications sent a video message and wished SPELT all the best.

Danish Farooqui from the Happy Home School System appreciated SPELT.

Earlier, SPELT founder Prof Zakia Sarwar declared the celebrations open.

Senior Spelter Gul Jafri shared the happy story of how the SPELT seed was sown so many years ago.

Founding member Spelter Prof Abbas Husain explained why the organisation was formed.

Another founding member Prof Dr Fouzia Shamim provided an overview of the organisation’s plans for the future.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2021