News for the Profession

• TESOL's first annual book drive generated nearly 2,000 books contributed by both publishers and members during The 38th Annual TESOL Convention and Exhibit in Long Beach, California, USA. Books were distributed to several countries as well as in Southern California through a partnership with BookEnds, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California. TESOL's International Black Professionals and Friends Caucus initiated the book drive idea.

• Take part in the 2004 Critical Issues Survey. This survey is one step in TESOL's process for identifying critical issues within the field that are important to the association's goals and mission, particularly with regard to positions and public policy. By providing the Board of Directors with the information requested, you will help to ensure that the results truly represent the opinions of TESOL's membership. TESOL appreciates your help in identifying issues of importance to the profession. Take part online by June 20, 2004, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=82120459653 (you will need cookies enabled for this survey).

• New TESOL position statement on accreditation for intensive English programs in the United States (PDF): With its mission to ensure excellence in English language teaching, TESOL has long supported efforts to advance professional standards and practice in the English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) field. As demonstrated by its development of program standards and the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), TESOL supports and recommends accreditation for intensive English programs (IEPs) in the United States. Other official positions of the association are available under Advancing the Profession: Positions.

• TESOL International Research Foundation Call for Research Proposals. The TESOL International Research Foundation (TIRF) invites proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Grants and Priority Research Grants in the field of applied linguistics and/or English language education. The 2004-05 Research Priority is "the demonstrable effects of the use of computer-based technology on students' learning of English as a second or foreign language." The deadline for receipt of complete proposals is May 31, 2004 (11:59 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time--on the west coast of Canada/USA). Please consult the foundation's Web site for more information (http://www.tirfonline.org/).

• Overview of Board Reconfiguration: In October 2003, the TESOL Board approved reconfiguration of the Board of Directors. Changes include how the Nominating Committee and the Board election slate will be structured. To fully implement the Reconfiguration plan, several changes will be necessary in TESOL governance documents. This reconfiguration will result in a TESOL Board that fulfills its responsibility to serve all members and its fiduciary role. The Board will truly be a policy-making entity. Restructuring the governance process helps TESOL carry out its Strategic Plan and provides the basis from which TESOL launches that future.

• Essential Teacher: The second issue of Essential Teacher, TESOL's new magazine for members, was mailed in March 2004. For language teachers and administrators in varied ESL and EFL workplaces, Essential Teacher also offers guidance to mainstream teachers who work with non-English-speaking students. TESOL professionals have stories to tell, questions to pose, issues to ponder, and thoughts to express. Essential Teacher invites you to read about the work of your colleagues and to submit writing that inspires, informs, and situates the diverse practice of English language teaching within theoretically sound perspectives. Compleat Links, Essential Teacher's online complement, guidelines for contributors, and tables of contents are posted online.

Highlights From TESOL Publications

About TESOL

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
700 South Washington Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 USA
Tel. 703-836-0774, Fax 703-836-7864
E-mail: info@tesol.org

Read What is TESOL?, our essay about the field of TESOL and its relation to the organization.

TESOL's Vision Statement
Effective communication among communities and their individual members is essential for peaceful coexistence and for solving many of the problems now facing the world. The constant flow of information from country to country and continent to continent in our shrinking world creates the need for institutions that encourage and support the development of language and intercultural communication skills. TESOL, an association of English language educators who work with learners from diverse cultural backgrounds in a wide variety of settings, is uniquely positioned to give a coordinated, knowledgeable response at the international, national, and local levels to issues affecting institutions that foster the development of effective human communications.

TESOL Mission Statement
TESOL's mission is to ensure excellence in English language teaching to speakers of other languages.

TESOL values

• professionalism in language education
• individual language rights
• accessible, high quality education
• collaboration in a global community
• interaction of research and reflective practice for educational improvement
• respect for diversity and multiculturalism