The 2010 Graduate Student Forum
at the 44th Annual TESOL Convention and Exhibit
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Wednesday, March 24, 2010

• Graduate Student Forum Registration
• Proposal Submission Form
  

FAQ

What is the purpose of the forum?
The forum provides a venue at the TESOL convention that allows MA-level students to:

• share the results of their research, their teaching ideas and experiences, and the materials they have developed;
• meet and network with graduate students (and faculty) from other universities; 
• formally participate in the TESOL convention without having to meet the early deadlines for submitting proposals or to compete with experienced professionals for time on the convention program; 
• experience the process of organizing a conference, adjudicating proposals, and so forth.

When will the forum be held?
The 2010 Graduate Student Forum will be held on March 24, 2010 from 8:30 am to 5 pm, as part of TESOL’s 2010 convention in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For general information on the 2010 convention, visit http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/convention2010.

Who are the organizers of this year’s forum?
The Graduate Student Forum is a student-run mini-conference. This means that graduate students not only give presentations but also are in charge of the forum from start to finish. Submitted proposals will be refereed by graduate students at Brigham Young University and Eastern Michigan University. Students from Brigham Young University will also arrange the program and host the forum sessions.

How can you register to attend or present at the forum?
You must register to attend the 2010 Graduate Student Forum. Registration for the 2010 Graduate Student Forum is a separate process from registering for the TESOL Convention, which requires a registration fee. Although there is no extra registration fee for students attending the Graduate Student Forum, separate registration is still required because space limits attendance. To register, fill out the registration form and submit by February 25, 2010. All registrations must be submitted online.

General information on accommodations and registration for the full TESOL Convention will be available December 1, 2009 (watch for updates on the TESOL website).

Who can submit a proposal?
Full-time or part-time students enrolled in graduate programs leading to a master's degree in TESOL (or related fields) at any institution of higher learning can take part in the Graduate Student Forum, either as presenters or as participants. (Please note that there is a similar but separate forum for doctoral students.)

What kinds of presentations are being solicited?
Proposals for three types of presentations are being solicited: papers, demonstrations, and poster sessions*.

A paper (15 minutes) is an oral summary, with occasional reference to notes or a text, that describes or discusses something that the presenter is doing or has done in relation to theory or practice. Handouts and audiovisual aids may be used.
A demonstration (15 minutes) shows, rather than discusses, a technique for teaching or testing. No more than 5 minutes is spent explaining the theory underlying the technique. The presenter provides handouts and may use audiovisual aids.
A poster session (1 hour) allows for short, informal discussions with other participants during the 1-hour time period that a self-explanatory exhibit is on display. Posters can display research, teaching tips, curriculum development ideas, and many other areas of interest. The exhibit is presented on a large (4' x 8') display board that includes a title, the name and institutional affiliation of the presenter(s), and brief text with clearly labeled photos, drawings, graphs, or charts. No other audiovisual equipment is allowed. This year will include two separate poster sessions.

*Please note that an equal number of poster sessions and panel presentations will be accepted this year. Proposals must be submitted by November 23, 2009, and notices of acceptance will be sent via email on December 9, 2009 by 12:00 am MST.

For more detailed information about submitting a proposal, including details about proposal guidelines, please view the Call for Proposals.