Overview

Language for Specific Purposes (LSP), be it English or any other languages, has been able to stimulate writings, research and discussions around the world. LSP has also helped to equip students and individuals working in the public and private sectors with the language competency required to cater to the demand in their specific fields. The interest and the requirement/need to train and to produce professionals who are fluent in the various science and technology fields prompted the Language Academy of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to organise an international conference on language for specific purposes. This conference will be a platform for the discussion of research findings and the dissemination of information on research trends, the usage and the teaching and learning of language for specific purposes.

The 3rd International Conference held in the year 2000 marked the shift in the scope of the conference. Originally called English for Specific Purposes (ESP), the conference was renamed Language for Specific Purposes (LSP), to reflect its broader scope which includes not just English but all other languages such as Arabic, French, Japanese and the like. This shift in focus helped to attract a wider range of paper presenters and participants that would be able to benefit from the conference.

The previous conference, LSP 2008 attracted about 100 papers from Malaysia and all over the world with presenters from 20 different countries. LSP 2010 brought together language practitioners from the industry, institutions of higher learning, and all other institutions to share both their knowledge and skills to enhance human capital development through good language practices and effective communication skills.

Hence, the 8th international conference is an extension of the previous seven conferences which were successfully organised – two at national level and five at international level. The theme for this upcoming seminar is "Aligning theoretical knowledge with professional practice" which we hope to gather academics, educators, language practitioners and professionals, teachers and teacher trainers, students at institutions of higher learning and industries.

Below are the objectives of the seminar:

• To provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, insights, research findings and expertise among LSP practitioners
• To investigate LSP developments in teaching and teacher training, professional areas, communication, research and language consultancy
• To align theoretical knowledge with professional practice within LSP
• To strengthen collaboration between institutions of higher learning and corporate sectors and industries

Who Should Attend

Academicians, undergraduates and postgraduates, government agencies, corporate bodies and non-governmental organizations who are directly involved with social responsibility field are welcome to participate. Companies who are interested to promote their products, specialities and technologies to enhance social responsibility activities are also invited to take part in the exhibition.