TESOL International Association is run primarily by member volunteers just like you, with assistance from an office staff based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. If you have ever wondered how TESOL conducts its business or why it does things the way it does, you will find answers here.
TESOL International Association’s mission is to advance professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other languages worldwide.
TESOL International Association is governed by a 12-member elected board of directors. The TESOL executive director serves as an ex-officio member of the board. The three-person Executive Committee includes the president, president-elect, and the past president.
TESOL has 17 standing committees that help the TESOL Board of Directors implement various aspects of the strategic plan and other association business. Ten committees are staffed by volunteer TESOL members and seven are staffed by board members.
The bylaws and standing rules will tell you why TESOL does things the way it does. You can find out everything you ever wanted to know about TESOL International Association--and probably more.
The TESOL strategic plan provides goals and objectives to guide the association over the next three years. The current strategic plan was approved by the TESOL Board of Directors in March 2011 and will expire in 2014.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, TESOL's original name, was founded in 1966. This history was written by James Alatis, TESOL's first executive director.