Letter From the Chair: CETC Supports TESOL’s Strategic Goals
Gena Bennett, genabennett@yahoo.com
As of February 20, 2007, the Christian Educators in TESOL Caucus (CETC) had 958 members. These 958 members of TESOL receive support and professional development through CETC. These 958 members also help further TESOL's Strategic Goals by being members of CETC.
Below are the overall TESOL Strategic Goals and Objectives and my own description of how CETC contributes to these goals and objectives. At the end of this letter is a special call to CETCers to help exemplify the important role CETC plays in the overall role and success of TESOL. Please read, consider, and respond.
TESOL Strategic Goals for 2005-08
GOAL: Policy Promotion for the Profession—to fulfill its standing as a recognized authority on the teaching of English as an additional language by providing critical insights for policymakers.
Objectives:
- Increase TESOL's professional visibility
- Identify, develop, and approve policies on professional issues
- Develop the role of English in multilingual/pluralingual societies
- Strengthen the status of English language teaching as a profession
CETC Contribution:
As members of a professional organization that strengthens the status of English language teaching as a profession, Christian language teachers who are members of CETC have an influence on the institutions and organizations in which they serve.GOAL: Professional Development—to provide a wide variety of learning, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities relevant to the changing needs of ESL/EFL professionals worldwide.
Objectives:
- Ensure that professional development programs, publications, activities, and resources are relevant to the changing needs of the profession worldwide
- Revise and strengthen leadership programs
CETC Contribution:
Many CETC members participate in conferences not only locally, but also internationally. More than 15 sessions at the international TESOL convention in 2007 were presented by CETC members, without any official TESOL sponsorship (unlike Interest Sections). In addition, CETC members around the globe are active in TESOL affiliates.
GOAL: Research—to monitor, evaluate, and encourage the association's research-related activities in coordination with association entities involved in conducting research and disseminating research results.
Objectives:
- Promote the value of and increase research for TESOL teachers worldwide
CETC Contribution:
Many CETCers are active researchers, involved in research relating not only to the goals of CETC but also to English language teaching in general. Research projects and publications are ongoing by CETC members. (A list will not be printed here, so as not to leave anyone out, but please respond to the call at the end of this article.)GOAL: Standards-to facilitate and promote the development of teacher, learner, content, performance, and opportunity-to-learn standards and frameworks that influence curriculum development and assessment in local contexts worldwide.
Objectives:
- Augment organization resources for developing and implementing TESOL's standards-based projects
- Become a resource for the development of standards for English language teaching in new contexts
- Develop and promote TESOL standards for new and emerging areas in the field of TESOL
CETC Contribution:
As members of a professional organization, CETCers have access to TESOL benefits such as the e-list, the convention, and the new TESOL Resource Center, all of which allow members to be more informed professionals and provide better resources for nonmember colleagues.GOAL: Worldwide Professional Participation-to expand worldwide involvement of TESOL affiliates in collaborative research-based activities.
Objectives:
- Increase collaboration between TESOL and other organizations in the field
- Conduct research toward establishing profiles of English language instructors
- Support efforts to encourage professional participation in local organizations and TESOL affiliates
CETC Contribution:
More than 50 members of CETC are internationally based. Internationally based members represent countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Indonesia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Madagascar, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, Tanzania, China, Malaysia, Philippines, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Thailand, Lebanon, Vietnam, Tunisia, and South Korea.GOAL: Organizational Sustainability and Growth-to cultivate and sustain the financial and human resources, structures, and processes that support and extend TESOL's mission.
Objectives:
- Fulfill fiduciary role
- Increase TESOL membership worldwide
- Expand nondues revenue sources to support member programs and initiatives worldwide
- Support implementation of a new leadership structure
- Analyze costs/benefits of association programs and services
- Establish mechanism for members' input into decision-making about member benefits
CETC Contribution:
An institutional member has a responsibility within that institution to hold leaders accountable and contribute to the wellbeing of the institution. By attending the CETC business meeting at the annual convention, which reports to the overall TESOL organization, CETC members are an active part of organization sustainability. Over 100 members attended the CETC annual business meeting in 2007!
Call for Participation
The Christian Educators in TESOL Caucus, as well as the other five TESOL caucuses, plays an important role in furthering the Strategic Goals of the organization. A few examples are discussed above, but I know contributions reach far beyond my short description. As a CETC member, please consider each TESOL Strategic Goal. Reflect on how you and/or other CETC members contribute to that goal. Write in to the e-list explaining your and others' contributions. Write an article for the newsletter detailing contributions. Let's let TESOL know that CETC is important not only to members as individuals, but to the TESOL organization as a whole!
