Ester de Jong, TESOL's president from 2017-18 and a professor at the University of Florida, said the choice of the theme for the assembly — "English Education in China: Striding Into a New Era" — reflects that change is the one constant in today's world.

"All these trends of technology, migration and the global marketplace influence what, where, how and why we teach. As teachers, we need to become lifelong learners ourselves and help our students become lifelong learners, too," she said.

Also attending the assembly's opening were Zong Wa, deputy director-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange; Qu Yingpu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily; and Christopher Powers, executive director of the TESOL International Association.

From Friday to Sunday, more than 100 domestic and foreign experts will address the assembly, sharing their experiences in academic research and practical teaching. Participants will discuss topics including the differences between first language acquisition and foreign language learning, and teacher development.

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn