English Language and General Studies Education in the United Arab Emirates Theoretical, Empirical and Practical Perspectives

Christine Coombe has a Ph.D in Foreign/Second Language Education from the Ohio State University.  She is currently Associate Professor of General Studies at Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's Campus.  Christine has over 50 books in various topics in TESOL/ELT. Dr Coombe serves as the editor of the SCOPUS-indexed Q1 Brief Reports section of the Asia TEFL Journal (2016 to present).  Christine has lived and worked in the Gulf for the past 28 years.  She served on the TESOL Board of Directors as Convention Chair for Tampa 2006. Christine served as TESOL President (2011-2012). Christine’s recent honors include the British Council’s International Assessment Award (2013), being named to TESOL’s 50@50 which “recognizes professionals who have made significant contributions to the TESOL profession within the past 50 years” and  receiving the 2018 James E. Alatis Award which recognizes exemplary service to TESOL.  Her most recent honor was being named to the US Department of State’s 30@30 English language specialists in 2021.  This list recognizes English Language Specialists who have made an impact on the teaching and training of English language teachers around the world in the last 30 years.  Lana Hiasat has a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a specialization in educational technology. She is currently Program Team Leader of the General Studies department at Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men’s Campus in addition to being Senior Lecturer. Lana is Senior Fellow HEA (SFHEA) and certified in future foresight, intercultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and Kaizen Creativity. Lana has published in the areas of future foresight, emotional intelligence, smart learning, blended learning, educational leadership, intercultural intelligence, and online teaching and learning. Lana has served as the co-chair for several international conferences. She is a member of the Social Science Curriculum Development team, a taskforce to develop the national social sciences curriculum in the UAE and has developed a certified leadership course on emotional intelligence for educational leaders.  She is a proud Toastmasters communicator and leader.Georgia Daleure is General Studies Dean at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and Social Studies (KG1-G12 Advanced) Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the UAE Ministry of Education. Combining her love of history, social science, and humanities with an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and professional certifications including future strategic foresight, forensic genealogy, and others, she leads projects to develop motivating curricula and engaging technology infused learning materials and delivery methods for students from KG through higher education.