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Academic Sessions & InterSections

Academic sessions and InterSections highlight topics of relevance to and across interest sections, providing a collaborative forum for attendees and seeking innovative and cross-disciplinary approaches and solutions. This brief list grouped into a few broad categories is just a sample of the hundreds of sessions that provide something for Everyone.

Adult Education

Credentialing Teachers of Adult English Language Learners: Blessing or Curse?
This session examines the credentialing of teachers of adult English language learners. It gives an overview of states’ credentialing practices, an example of a new credential in one state, and recent thoughts from TESOL and teachers about requiring teachers of adult learners to be credentialed.
Interest Section: Adult Education
Presenters: Nancy Faux, Yilin Sun, Genesis Ingersol

Dealing With Diversity at the Workplace: Perspectives From Administrators
This hour-long discussion opens the floor to ELT administrators in all contexts, working locally or internationally, to share issues regarding diversity at the workplace. The goal is to finish with a bag of tricks featuring ideas, strategies, and resources to help administrators deal effectively with diversity issues.
Interest Section: Program Administration
Presenter: Tarana Patel

English for Specific Purposes: What It Is, How It’s Done
English for specific purposes (ESP) training has emerged over two decades, correlating with globalization and the growth of international reliance on English. What is ESP? How is it offered? Are you teaching it? A panel of experienced practitioners defines ESP, discusses issues, and shares compelling examples of delivery.
Interest Section: English for Specific Purposes
Presenters: Kevin Knight, Anne Lomperis, Margaret van Naerssen, Debra Lee, Charles Hall, Kay Westerfield

The Higher Education Interest Section: Membership, Needs, and Interests
The Higher Education Interest Section welcomes all those interested in higher education at both the community college and university level to join in a presentation and discussion of who is represented by this interest section and what our needs, interests, and issues are.
Interest Section: Higher Education
Presenters: Heather Robertson, Jose Carmona, Denis Hall, Karen Stanley, Lara Ravitch

The Intersection of IEP Objectives and Classroom Activities
This session examines how objectives and activities are developed and then interact. The panelists address how faculty can approach the question of curricular objectives and then develop activities to support the students’ journey to achieving these objectives.
Interest Section: Intensive English Programs
Presenters: T. Leo Schmitt, Deborah Wilson, Winnie Cragg, Heather Weger, Jim Bame

Transitioning Adult Learners to Higher Education in the United States
This session examines the factors needed for adult learners to transition successfully from community college to higher education. It showcases four programs that have facilitated adult learners’ successful transitions and examines how these four programs carry out the factors for successful transitioning.
Interest Section: Adult Education
Presenters: Toni Borge, Jodi Crandall, Stephen Lambert, Denise Daych, Craig Machado, Marian Blaber

Culture

Advocacy and Activism: TESOL’s Bilingual Tea Party
This session highlights ways to advocate for refugees, to address issues related to helping learners maintain their multicultural identities, and to promote multilingualism as an additive factor in today’s societies. Presenters discuss ways to explore collaborative parent–teacher partnerships built on the philosophies of care and courage.
Interest Section: Bilingual Education
Presenters: Khadar Bashir-Ali, Valerie Ooka Pang, Ofelia Garcia, Ester De Jong, Joan Wink

Intercultural Perspectives on Leadership
Approaches to leadership vary within and across cultures, so it is important for TESOL professionals in leadership positions to understand how views of leadership are affected by the different contexts in which English is taught. The panelists share their perspectives on the intersection between Western and non-Western culture(s) and leadership.
Interest Sections: Program Administration, Intercultural Communication
Presenters: Fernando Fleurquin, Joshua Borden

Refugee Resettlement From A to Z: A Multidimensional Perspective
U.S. refugee resettlement is a complex process, from overseas eligibility criteria to local integration. Educators will hear from major players involved in resettlement in order to promote a better understanding of the overall refugee experience and to create an effective learning environment that is more responsive to refugee students’ needs.
Interest Section: Refugee Concerns
Presenters: Pindie Stephen, Sara Tompkins, Jeanette Camarillo, Larry Yungk, Frances Tinsley, Richard Chacon

Social Responsibility: What and Why?
What does social responsibility mean? Does social responsibility equal social justice? Should we, as TESOLers even bother to worry about such issues that might distract from our jobs of teaching the English language? What should our agenda as an interest section be? These and more questions are raised and answered.
Interest Section: Social Responsibility
Presenters: Rob Clément, Amy Hamar, Earlene Gentry, Shelley Wong, Tom Schroeder

Nonnative-English-Speaking Teachers (NNEST)

Challenges and Triumphs for Nonnative-English-Speaking Teachers in IEPs
What are the needs of nonnative-English-speaking teachers working in intensive English programs (IEPs)? Presenters discuss issues in teacher training preparation, examine administrative concerns in EFL and ESL environments, and reflect on experiences in the classroom.
Interest Sections: Intensive English Programs, Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL
Presenters: Denise Murray, Silvio Avendano, Ann Frentzen, Leo Schmitt, Julie Yang

NNESTs and Teaching English Around the World: Issues and Measures
The presenters discuss various issues concerning the teaching of English across the globe by re-examining the current English teaching practices in EFL contexts, NNEST and NEST teacher-training programs, adaptation to local cultures, world Englishes, and diversity in the workplace. Measures in redefining the role of TESOL are provided.
Interest Sections: Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL, English as a Foreign Language
Presenters: Aya Matsuda, Eileen Ariza, Mary Romney, Sally Harris, Suhanthie Motha

NNESTs in the K–12 System: Issues and Practices
This colloquium, designed for instructors of all linguistic backgrounds, assembles various professionals to explore the role of the nonnative-English-speaking instructors in the K–12 system in the ESL and EFL context. Presenters describe challenges and walk audience members through concrete strategies in a variety of settings.
Interest Section: Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL
Presenters: George Braine, Davi Reis, Tunde Csepelyi, Janet Orr, Masaki Oda, Aiden Yeh

Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking Approaches and Materials to Teaching Listening Microskills
Listening comprehension includes top-down and bottom-up approaches. Panelists discuss the microskills involved in teaching listening, the balance between the two approaches, and the ways materials can be used to integrate listening. Selection of authentic materials and material creation are highlighted.
Interest Sections: Materials Writers, Speech/Pronunciation/Listening
Presenters: John Flowerdew, Lida Baker, Deborah Gordon, Laurie Frazier

Can Oral Skills and Pronunciation Be Taught Effectively Online?
The suitability of online environments for oral skills is not always clear. This panel addresses such questions as, Under what conditions can oral communication be taught with success online? What are the advantages and limitations? What specific tools, techniques, and programs have instructors used with success?
Interest Sections: Speech/Pronunciation/Listening, Computer-Assisted Language Learning, International Teaching Assistants
Presenters: Deborah Healey, Holly Gray, Kathi Cennamo
Session and Webcast sponsored by the Computer-Assisted Language Learning Interest Section

From Conversation Analysis to Language Learning
Presenters use conversation analysis (CA) of naturally occurring talk to show how sequences of turns organize social actions such as interviewing and group problem solving. Presentations focus on samples of classroom small-group talk and everyday conversation. Discussion includes issues of cross-cultural variation, pedagogical implications, and models of teaching activities.
Interest Sections: Applied Linguistics, Intercultural Communication
Presenters: Donna Fujimoto, Noel Houck, David Olsher, Hansun Waring, Jean Wong

Linking Second Language Literacies: Reading, Writing, and Other Literacy Practices
How does second language (L2) reading interact with L2 writing? How can teachers connect literacy practices for language learning? Presenters suggest connections between reading and writing and other media interactions and share research from two different course contexts, including a chemistry writing course and a reading course for developmental immigrant students.
Interest Section: Second Language Writing
Presenters: William Grabe, Fredricka Stoller, Cathryn Crosby, Alan Hirvela

Re-Imagining L2 Writing in a Digitized World
New technologies are reshaping how we teach. This InterSection features new directions and possibilities for teaching L2 writing in a digitized world. Speakers explore theories, research, strategies, and tools.
Interest Sections: Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Second Language Writing
Presenters: Deborah Crusan, Paul Kei Matsuda, Paige Ware, Mark Warschauer

Re-Imagining Pronunciation: Why, What, and How
Leaders in the fields of linguistics, TESOL, and computer-assisted language learning share their vision of how pronunciation should be taught. Learn what we should be teaching, why we should be teaching it, and how we can best help our students succeed.
Interest Section: Speech/Pronunciation/Listening
Presenters: Xinchun Wang, Debra Hardison, John Levis

Rethinking L2 Writing Programs for Increasingly Complex Learners and Contexts
This session addresses the importance of rethinking writing programs when student audiences shift. Connecting program administration and second language writing, the session provides detailed cases of programmatic change in a variety of contexts, including an intensive English program, a community college, and an American research university’s branch campus in Qatar.
Interest Sections: Second Language Writing, Program Administration
Presenters: Tony Silva, Dudley Reynolds, Doreen Ewert, Lara Ravitch

Teacher Education

Applying Linguistics to Support ELLs
Linguistics can support English language learners (ELLs). First, engaging students in comparative analysis of English and home languages can develop critical inquiry, foster interest in language, and legitimize languages other than English. Second, a critical Understanding of language acquisition can inform the interpretation of learner errors and mitigate the misdiagnosis of language impairment.
Interest Section: Applied Linguistics
Presenters: Suzanne Flynn, Daniel Ginsberg, Maya Honda, Wayne O’Neil

Enhancing Instructional Efficacy: Issues in ESP Teacher Development
Because ESP is a specialized language instruction package driven by learners’ needs, practitioners should be thoroughly oriented in field-specific language instruction and adequately skilled to cope with the dynamic nature of ESP programs. This session focuses on issues in ESP teacher development with a view to maximizing instructional efficacy.
Interest Sections: English for Specific Purposes, English as a Foreign Language, Teacher Education
Presenters: Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan, Feyza Doyran, David Kertzner, Lise-Lotte Hjulmand, Jane Lockwood

Features and Application of Successful Professional Development and Postcertification Programs
In 2008, a roundtable of experts identified best practices for professional development (PD). An international panel of experts analyzes features of PD programs in the light of these findings, sharing issues, problems, and successful strategies in the Implementation of best PD practices across different cultures and contexts.
Interest Sections: Teacher Education, Elementary Education, English for Specific Purposes
Presenters: Hema Ramanathan, Julia Austin, Laura Lukens, Elizabeth Hanson-Smith, Donna Albrecht, Gabriel Díaz-Maggioli, Hyunsoo Hur

International Teacher Development in Multilingual Contexts
This session presents perspectives on teacher training that seeks to prepare teachers of English in multilingual settings; to promote validation of all dialects spoken in countries such as India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Guatemala; and to train K–12 bilingual teachers in border communities.
Interest Sections: Bilingual Education, Teacher Education
Presenters: Mayra C. Daniel, Hema Ramanathan, Shelley K. Taylor, Jayashree Mohanraj, Alcione Ostorga, Jan Dormer

Observation Tools and Techniques for Administrators and Teachers
This session addresses the needs of elementary ELL teachers who coach administrators to observe classrooms with language learners. Participants will be introduced to background research and key features of a variety of protocols to guide both short and long observations. Many examples from ESL, EFL, and content classrooms will be presented.
Interest Section: Elementary Education
Presenters: Laura Lukens, Janet Orr, Ari Sherris, Deborah Sams, Ken Weaver

Qualitative Research in TESOL Teacher Education: Issues, Questions, and Findings
Six panelists provide in-depth perspectives on curriculum in teacher education programs, roles and responsibilities of teachers, teacher beliefs, and teacher identity in the field of TESOL in various countries and contexts. Significant issues, problems, and questions in research procedures are discussed.
Interest Section: Teacher Education
Presenters: Hema Ramanathan, Karen Johnson, Simon Borg, David Freeman, Vaidehi Ramanathan, Khadar Bashir-Ali

Re-Imagining the Role of the Elementary ESL Teacher
How do we envision diverse roles for elementary ESL teachers across program models for students, based on research and practice? How can teacher education programs best prepare candidates for these roles? During this InterSection, hear and join multiple voices, including elementary ESL teachers, program supervisors, and teacher educators.
Interest Sections: Elementary Education, Teacher Education
Presenters: Laura Lukens, Betty Ansin Smallwood, Judith B. O’Loughlin, Jennifer Brown, Albert Mogavero, Candace Harper, Christel Broady

Technology

The Emergent Role of Educators in E-Learning Environments
How are the roles of educators and participants in e-learning environments evolving? What are some effective strategies for establishing and managing an individual’s e-presence in online communities? Presenters discuss their experiences, research, and observations in this dynamic area, drawing on their work with remote, on-site, and hybrid ESOL populations.
Interest Section: Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Presenters: Rita Abdelnour, Deborah Healey, Leslie Opp-Beckman, Karen Price, Joan Kang Shin

Innovative Uses of Video in Pronunciation and Oral Language Classrooms
Instructors in oral-skills-focused classes (international teaching assistants, accent reduction, general pronunciation, etc.) often use video for a variety of activities and assessment. With the affordable accessibility to video technology, the possibilities for creative video use in classrooms are expanded. Presenters share examples of video use and equipment; discussion/sharing is encouraged.
Interest Sections: International Teaching Assistants, Speech/Pronunciation/Listening, Video and Digital Media
Presenters: Nicolas Gromik, Janet Goodwin, Virginia Maurer, Laura Sicola

The Power of Video Tutorials in the Language Classroom
The role of the video tutorial and its potential applications for both teachers and students in the language classroom are gaining strong interest. This session focuses on a selection of video tutorials that serve as valuable tools for both teachers and students in the language classroom.
Interest Section: Video and Digital Media
Presenters: Peter Vahle, Katharina Schuhmann, Laura Lau, Robert Elliot, David Smith, Murali Venugopalan

Producing Video Training Tutorials for Teachers and Students
This InterSection addresses the design and integration of video training tutorials and materials in language curricula. It explores the possibilities for delivering these to both language educators and learners and it provides examples in various settings. The session concludes with a discussion.
Interest Sections: Video and Digital Media, Intensive English Programs, Speech/Pronunciation/Listening
Presenters: Nicolas Gromik, Lisa Leopold, Lilia Savova, Laura Sicola, Danielle Pelletier

Re-Envisioning EFL in the Digital Age: Challenges, Options, and Opportunities
Technological advancement is constantly reshaping the TEFL environment worldwide and posing tremendous challenges to EFL professionals. How should EFL teachers adapt their curriculum and methodology to meet these challenges? This workshop examines major challenges EFL professionals face in the Digital Age and explores Webcast, online robot, and Second Life.
Interest Sections: English as a Foreign Language, Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL, Second Language Writing
Presenters: Ke Xu, Aiden Yeh, Barbara Dieu, Ron Chang Lee, Linglan Cao, Jason Ward, Dafne González, Carla Arena

Videos, Social Responsibility, and Refugee Awareness: A Critical Thinking Intersection
Videos and podcasts are suitable resources to enhance students’ social awareness of issues ranging from refugee concerns to racism and bullying, and to develop their critical thinking skills. This session offers examples of videos, ready-to-use materials, and approaches for integrating socially centered videos in the language classroom.
Interest Section: Social Responsibility
Presenters: Rob Clément, Nicholas Gromik, Duysevi Karan-Miyar, Khadar Bashir-Ali

Special Interest

Generation 1.5 Students in Higher Education: Challenges and Recommendations
A panel of community college and university faculty and administrators discusses Generation 1.5 students and the challenges they pose in their schools. The presenters make recommendations for classroom and program enhancements to help these students, with a focus on writing skills.
Interest Sections: Higher Education, Second Language Writing
Presenters: Hannah Moeckel-Rieke, Theresa Pruett-Said, Cathryn Crosby, Jan Frodesen, Shawn Ford, Gigi Taylor

Interpretation and Misinterpretation With ITAs
Languages, cultures, and academic backgrounds combine to create an environment rich in potential for both understanding and misunderstanding. How are intentions made known and meaning clarified? Presenters discuss ways of negotiating the interaction, with application to the training of international teaching assistants.
Interest Section: International Teaching Assistants
Presenters: Barbara Gourlay, Douglas Margolis, Colleen Meyers, Pamela Pollock

Materials Writing for Intercultural Communicative Competence in a Globalized World
How and what cultural information should be included in materials needs to be re-examined because English is fast establishing a place as a global lingua franca. Panelists discuss how materials writing can contribute to enhancing learners’ overall intercultural communicative (IC) skills and to teaching effective IC strategies and pragmatics.
Interest Sections: Intercultural Communication, Materials Writers
Presenters: Fumiko Kurihara, Kristin Johannsen, Andrea DeCapua, Minh Nguyen

Negotiating ESL/EFL Publishing Contracts
Transparency in how textbooks come to life informs us all. A panel of ELT authors and publishers, with input from a legal expert, examines common issues surrounding publishing contracts and how new challenges in the publishing industry will affect negotiations. This is a useful session for new or experienced materials writers.
Interest Section: Materials Writers
Presenters: Robyn Brinks Lockwood, Keith Folse, Dorothy Zemach, Laura LeDrean, Pietro Alongi, Stephen Gillen

Reshaping EFL Curriculum for the 21st Century
What are the social and political issues facing EFL professionals worldwide in the 21st century? How will these issues affect the design and adaptation of EFL curriculum and methodology? Examine the social, political, cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical aspects of the 21st century EFL curriculum.
Interest Section: English as a Foreign Language
Presenters: Jane Hoelker, Ke Xu, Kathleen Graves, Zohreh R. Eslami, Suchada Nimmannit, Slobodanka Dimova, Rosemary Orlando, Amanda Wiehl

Advocacy & Professional Issues

What are the education priorities of President Obama’s administration? What is happening with major education policies affecting the field? To answer these questions, TESOL has arranged for a broad array of U.S. government officials and guest speakers to present information on education laws and policies, new initiatives, and advocacy, including the following:

The Civil Rights of English Language Learners
Presenter: Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education

ELLs, Immigrant Students, and the Law
Presenters: Elizabeth Bagdon, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Boston, MA, USA; Roger Rosenthal, Migrant Legal Action Program, Washington, DC, USA Enrollment, Legislative, and Advocacy

Updates for Intensive English Programs
Presenters: Gerald Krzic, Christie Ward, Beata Schmid, Scott Stevens

National and State Initiatives in Adult ESL
Presenters: Sue Barauski, Nancy Faux

SEVP Developments
Presenter: JoAn Taylor, Student Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

SEVIS II Update
Presenter: JoAn Taylor, Student Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Title III — Coordination, Communication, and Collaboration
Presenters: Supreet Anand, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education; Richard Smith, Office of English Language Acquisition, U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Federal Update
Presenter: John Segota, TESOL

 

Citizenship Sessions
In October 2008 a new U.S. naturalization exam was launched. Learn more about the new exam and elements of immigration policy and citizenship with these special workshops sponsored by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of Citizenship:

• U.S. Citizenship and Adult ESL
• Becoming a U.S. Citizen: The Naturalization Process
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Resources and Materials
• The Skills Required to Pass the U.S. Naturalization Test

Special Cosponsored Colloquia

In addition to presentations from several of TESOL’s colleague associations, the 2010 convention highlights special colloquia cosponsored by TESOL and other colleague associations. For more details about these colloquia, please see the Program Book on-site.

 

Promises and Challenges of RTI for ELLs
Cosponsored by the Council for Exceptional Children and TESOL
Speakers: Alfredo J. Artiles, Nancy Cloud, Catherine Collier, Alba A. Ortiz

Communication, Language, and Reasoning in Mathematics for English Language Learners
Cosponsored by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics and TESOL
Speakers: Henry S. Kepner, Jr., Eleanor Linn, Suzanne Irujo, Linda Gerena, Shelly Chasse

Re-Imagining Advocacy for Bilingual Education
Cosponsored by the National Association for Bilingual Education and TESOL
Speakers: Jose Agustin Ruiz-Escalante, Eudes Budhai, Nancy Dubetz, David Schwarzer

AAAL Special Session
Cosponsored by the American Association for Applied Linguistics and TESOL
Speakers: Lynn Fogle, Natalia Jacobsen, Paola Uccelli, Eric Friginal, Jack Grieve

Is this your first TESOL Convention? With hundreds of sessions, there is a lot to take in. Get a head start on making the convention as useful as possible for you by planning to attend the First-Timers Orientation sessions. These sessions will be offered three times: on Thursday, 7:30 am–8:15 am and 11 am–11:45 am; and on Friday, 10 am–10:45 am.

New Member Orientation

Welcome to TESOL!
Thursday, March 25, 5:30 pm–6:30 pm

Have you joined TESOL since the last TESOL convention? Planning on becoming a member before this year’s convention in Boston? Then join other new TESOL members at the New Member Orientation to learn about your benefits and a chance to win a free TESOL membership renewal! You must be present to win. Even if you are a seasoned TESOL member, you are welcome to participate in this event as a refresher course in what TESOL is doing for you.

This event features a panel presentation with the TESOL president, membership committee chair, members of the Board of Directors, and the member services director. The orientation focuses on resources available to new members so they can get the most out of their memberships.

Note: This event is not to be confused with the First-Timers’ sessions for first-time convention attendees held on Thursday, 7:30 am–8:15 am and 11 am–11:45 am; and on Friday, 10 am–10:45 am, although you are encouraged to participate these sessions as well.

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