TESOL Inc.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TESOL Inc. (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other languages) is a global education association for English language teachers to speakers of others languages with individual and institutional members and extensive affiliations worldwide.
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[edit] Mission
TESOL's mission 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.
[edit] History
TESOL Inc was founded in 1966 and has corporate headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. TESOL Inc. has more than 13,000 members in more than 120 different countries. TESOL Inc. is designated an NGO under the United Nations Department of Public Information.
[edit] Affiliates
TESOL is affiliated with 97 independent organizations worldwide (50 in North America and 49 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'
[edit] 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'
[edit] Annual conference
TESOL Inc convenes an annual conference with papers, symposia, key note speakers, workshops, and annual meetings for the various Special Interest Groups and caucuses. The event is also renowned for a large book fair wherein most of the major publishers have displays. It is also a primary recruiting occasion for those hiring EFL and ESL teachers.
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 this organization.
TESOL has nearly one hundred affiliates with other language education groups representing approximately 47,000 members world wide. About half of the affiliates are outside the USA.
[edit] 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 is not exclusive of education acts, learning diversity, immigration policy, discrimination against non-native speakers of English in TESOL, assessment and accountability, English-only legislation, teacher qualifications, US citizenship exams, teachers' work and employment conditions and status, professional development, language varieties and multilingualism.
