TESOL International Association

TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.) is a global education association for English language teachers to speakers of others languages with individual and institutional members and extensive affiliations worldwide.

Mission

TESOL's mission as a profit-making organization involves research and improvement of education and training, promoting professional standards in language education, networking and cooperation internationally, and advocacy of language rights and access to quality language education.

Interest Sections

TESOL has a number of "Interest Sections" (IS), special interest groups which seek to promote research and continuing education in areas of key concern to TESOL members. Current Interest Sections include the following:

• Adult Education
• Applied Linguistics
• Bilingual Education
• Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Elementary Education
• English as a Foreign Language
• English for Specific Purposes
• Higher Education
• Intercultural communication
• Intensive English Programs
• International Teaching Assistants
• Materials Writers
• Non-native English-Speaking Teachers
• Program Administration
• Refugee Concerns
• Second Language Writing
• Secondary Schools
• Speech, Pronunciation, and Listening
• Teacher Education
• Video and Digital Media

Caucuses

TESOL used to have several caucuses for professionals interested in social issues or with particular identities or characteristics that often placed them at disadvantages in the workplace. The initial caucuses were the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Friends (LGBT caucus); the part-timers and friends caucus; the non-native and friends speaker caucus; and the African American and friends caucus. These groups were active in pushing forward issues often not discussed in the industry such as how part-timers were often affected financially, how many places refused to hire non-native speakers, or how ESL learners often perceived African Americans to possess a "lesser" form of English. Later, the Christian caucus, the only religion-based caucus, was formed, and later a group concerned with social responsibility. In 2006, lawyers of the organization convinced TESOL to remove the caucuses based on the idea that groups were exclusionary, and that the existence of such groups could lead to legal action by members. Note that the original groups included "friends," allowing anyone to join. It has been suggested that concern over religion-based causes in a professional organization was really behind the move to remove all caucuses.

History

TESOL was founded in 1966 and has corporate headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. TESOL has more than 13,000 members in more than 120 different countries. TESOL is designated an NGO under the United Nations.

Affiliates

TESOL is affiliated with 98 independent organizations worldwide (41 in the United States and 57 residing throughout Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa) with a total membership of more than 47,000 professionals worldwide. Affiliate directories are available at 'World Wide Affiliate Directory'

Governance

The board of directors is elected by members in good standing in an open election. Each member in good standing receives one ballot. All regulations and guidelines for administration of TESOL as well as responsibilities and restrictions on the board of directors is available at 'Bylaws and Standing Rules'

Annual conference

TESOL convenes an annual conference with papers, symposia, keynote speakers, workshops, and annual meetings for the Interest Sections. Presenters speak on topics ranging from practical advice for the classroom to new theories for explaining language learning. The event is also renowned for a large book fair wherein most of the major publishers have displays. It is a primary recruiting occasion for those hiring EFL and ESL teachers. Begun in 1966, the conference is typically attended by around 10,000 people. Attendance has varied greatly, depending on world events. Thus, for example, while there were easily 10,000 people at the conference in 2001, in 2002, after 9/11, attendance dropped to 5,000. Since that time, attendance has been steadily growing, but the industry is sensitive to world events such as terrorist attacks and dramatic changes in global markets.

The annual conference is also the site for the Annual General Meeting. TESOL has a board of directors elected by the membership and a professional staff in the Alexandria headquarters dealing with the day-to-day logistical aspects of the organization.

Advocacy

To advance its goal of improving public policy and understanding as outlined in its strategic plan, TESOL takes official positions on a broad range of issues related to the field of English language teaching. These positions are published as statements and papers, and they become official when the TESOL Board of Directors approves them.

TESOL posts its current Position Statements and Papers at "Access the Latest Position Statements and Papers Documents".

Areas of concern include but are not limited to education advocacy, learning diversity, immigration policy, discrimination against non-native English speakers, assessment and accountability, English-Only legislation, teacher qualifications, US citizenship exams, teachers' work and employment conditions and status, professional development, language varieties, and multilingualism.

Awards

Each year, after a nomination process, TESOL grants four awards, each to one of its members.

• The James E. Alatis Award for Service to TESOL
This award acknowledges outstanding and extended service by TESOL members at international, regional, and local levels.
• The TESOL Virginia French Allen Award for Scholarship and Service
This award honors an ESOL teacher who has shared scholarship and provided service at the affiliate level.
• The D. Scott Enright TESOL Interest Section Service Award
This award acknowledges outstanding and extended service to and leadership in TESOL interest sections.
• The TESOL Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award honors educators considered by their colleagues to be excellent teachers. The award is sponsored by Heinle, a part of Cengage Learning.

External links

• TESOL Iran
• TESOL Home Page
• TESOL France Home Page
• TESOL Greece Home Page
• Dates and locations of past TESOL Conferences
• TESOL Asia http://www.tesol.asia
• TESOL India Home Page
• TESOL Costa Rica Home Page
• TESOL courses
• Global TESOL Certificate