Worlds of TESOL
The 42nd Annual TESOL Convention is being held in New York April 2-5, 2008. its-teachers spoke with Lisa Dyson, director of conference services, about the convention and what makes the city of New York so special.
iT's: There always seems to be a special buzz when the annual TESOL Convention is held in New York. I remember the last New York conference - I could hardly move there were so many people. Can you tell us why you think it's such a unique event?
Lisa
Dyson: There's always that buzz, but in New York there's the extra
excitement of being in the place where it's all happening! The extraordinary
range of entertainment, attractions, nightlife and shopping facilities
can be overwhelming. And our program offers so much; some people will
choose not to go out on the town every night. And who can blame them!
iT's: Would you agree that the annual TESOL Convention is more of an institution than just another conference?
L. D.: A core of people - each in some way involved in TESOL - look to the convention as the highlight of their professional year. And some see it as the highlight of their social year, too. Their energy, I am sure, influences their peers, and so the ripples spread.
The TESOL Convention is a way of refreshing one's ideas. It gives people an opportunity to reflect on their own practice while learning from their peers. It's like Thanksgiving for TESOLers! It's a homecoming - wherever the home may be - for a family of professionals to get together annually in a professionally comfortable atmosphere. And this year that haven is New York City.
iT's: The theme of this year's conference is "Worlds of TESOL: Building Communities of Practice, Inquiry, and Creativity". Can you tell us more about the message you'd like attendees to have got when they leave the conference?
L.
D.: In the many worlds of TESOL, our strength lies in our ability
to build communities. Across diverse settings we often struggle against
powers that marginalize and homogenize learners and those who work with
them. As communities of practice, however, we partner with English language
learners in schools, refugee programs, universities, and adult education
programs to build better futures, where the value of English language
learning is recognized. As communities of inquiry, we research English
language learning as a process of individual development and social
transformation. As communities of creativity, we produce innovative
lessons, materials, programs, and policies, embracing the worlds of
science, art, music and drama to enrich our students' learning.
iT's: It must be a challenge putting the program together with 1,500 events going on. How do you go about it? And what are this year's highlights?
L. D.: The majority of our sessions come from the call for proposals, so that helps. The challenge is in trying to schedule them so that there is broad appeal for all attendees on each day. Some of the highlights this year are the evening forums. On Wednesday there will be a peace forum, on Thursday we feature a special education forum and on Friday the forum tackles business English. Another one of the features of this year is the "World in Migration" series.
By the way, the materials used this year for the program book and the complimentary book bag are either recycled or recyclable. We are really making an effort to conserve energy, to be considerate of our environment and to transmit the message to participants that they, too, can exercise socially responsible measures.
iT's: How easy or difficult is it for a teacher to be accepted as a speaker at the conference?
L. D.: It is pretty competitive. This year we received 2,700 proposals and had an acceptance rate of 23 percent.
iT's: The conference exhibition must be one of the largest in the world. How many exhibitors are there this year?
L. D.: TESOL 2008 will feature more than 150 exhibitors.
iT's: Can you tell us a little about the TESOL organization - how it started, and how it works locally and internationally?
L.
D.: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Inc. (TESOL)
is an independent professional organization established in 1966. It
was created out of professional concern over the lack of a single, all-inclusive
professional group that might bring together teachers and administrators
at all educational levels with an interest in teaching English to speakers
of other languages. The formation of the organization was a sign of
TESOL's maturity as a profession. It is worth looking back to where
TESOL has been in order to understand where TESOL, both the profession
and the organization, is today and where it is likely to go in the future.
The creation of the TESOL was the culmination of more than four years of organizational groundwork and discussions centering around three issues: (1) the need for a professional organization that would be permanently devoted to the problems of teaching English to speakers of other languages, at all levels; (2) the need for a pedagogical journal to serve the entire profession; and (3) the need for a register of specialists that might be helpful to foundations, government agencies and universities in their attempt to cope with the ever-growing need for qualified personnel in the area of ESOL.
The question of an association for ESOL teachers, and the related questions of a journal and a roster of ESOL specialists, had been matters of concern for some time not only to the those in universities and professional associations, but also to government agencies and foundations with interests and activities in ESOL.
TESOL is affiliated with 101 independent organizations worldwide (41 in the United States and 60 throughout Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Latin and North America, the Middle East, and Africa), with a total membership of more than 50,000 professionals. The global network of affiliates share ideas and effective practices in organizational management. Leadership development, fundraising strategies, membership retention and development, conference planning and professional development are common topics discussed. Affiliates meet online via discussion groups, and during workshops and meetings at the annual TESOL Convention.
iT's: If someone wants to become a member of TESOL or attend the conference, what should they do?
L. D.: The easiest way to become a member of TESOL or attend the convention is via our website (www.tesol.org). All of the membership information, including the membership application is online. Attendees can look at the schedule, reserve a hotel room and register for the convention at the site.
iT's: Finally, for TESOL members who have never been to New York before, how would you recommend they spend their free time (not that they'll have much!)?
L. D.:: What isn't cool to do in Manhattan? The possibilities are endless. The Empire State Building, Madame Tussauds, The Bodies exhibit at South Street Seaport, or just take a ride on our ferries, subways or water taxis. How about a walk in Central Park? It's very near the TESOL Convention site, too.
___________________________________________ _ _ _
The 42nd Annual TESOL Convention
Worlds of TESOL: Building Communities of Practice, Inquiry and Creativity
April 2-5, 2008
New York Hilton & Sheraton New York
New York, New York USA
www.tesol.org/2008convention
______________________________________________ _ _ _
Just Ask the Locals: Lisa's Insider Tips
Chelsea Market
Did you know that the Food Channel shoots episodes in the Chelsea Market?
It's a very interesting place. There is something here for everyone.
www.chelseamarket.com
Flea Markets
There are two markets in Manhattan with antiques and collectibles, jewelry,
home furnishings, apparel, crafts, ethnic handicrafts, children's items
and a farmer's market. Free admission, Saturday: Greenwich Avenue at
Charles Street, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday: Columbus Avenue at West 77th
Street, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Historic Orchard Street Shopping District
You'll find more than 400 unique shops and restaurants in the heart
of New York's Lower East Side.
Chelsea Piers
You name the sport; it is probably available at www.chelseapiers.com.
NYC Free Activities
These include recordings at television studios, and a list of the museums
that are free on certain nights and have free concerts. Check out the
Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Natural
History and the Planetarium or just take a walk in our many diverse
neighborhoods, each with their own flavor.
Neighborhood Map of NYC
Take a walk in our many quarters:
http://gonyc.about.com/library/weekly/n_neighborhoods.htm
The Latest Activities in NYC
Don't miss a thing!
www.cityguidemagazine.com
CafeWha?
Don't miss the original Greenwich Village stomping ground for greats
such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby and many
others.
www.cafewha.com
Theater Tickets
Order in advance. Good shows often sell out!
www.telecharge.com