The 8th International Conference on TESOL was successfully held by the English Language Center (ELC) at Shantou University from April 15th to 17th, 2016.  The theme of this year’s conference was “Bridging ELT Theory and Practice: Innovations and Reservations in the Digital Age”.  The opening ceremony started at 8:30 a.m. on April 15th, with our guests of honor: Prof. Lin Danming, Vice President of Shantou University; Prof. Roland Sussex, Research Professor in the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation at the University of Queensland, Australia; Professor He Lianzhen, Dean of the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University; Prof. Arthur McNeill, Director of the Center for Language Education at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Mr. Li Hongzhao, Vice Chairman, Shantou Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese; Ms. Yang Rong, Director of Academic and Societies Affairs Department, Shantou Association for Science and Technology; Dr. Lawrence Liao, Deputy Director of the Office of the President of Shantou University and Head of the International Cooperation Department; Prof. Quan Hongling, Former Dean of College of Foreign Languages, Xinjiang Normal University; Prof. Joanna Radwanska-Williams, Editor of the Journal of Intercultural Communication Studies and Professor of English at Macao Polytechnic Institute; Mr. Jack Purdie, Director of Office of Development and External Relations, Washington State University; Madame Julia Hsiao, Director of International and Special Projects, Li Ka Shing Foundation, sent her regards to the success of the Conference. The chair of the Academic Committee, Mark McAndrews, hosted the ceremony and the Director of English Language Center Professor Mao Sihui gave a welcome speech.