What is TESOL.org?

Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL.org) is a professional organization that endeavors to ensure excellence in English language teaching. Teachers in the field enjoy perks with a TESOL.org membership.

TESOL.org has affiliates located in regions around the world. These TESOL.org affiliates offer networking, professional development activities at the local, state/provincial, and/or national levels, and publications.

Caribbean and Central American Regional ASCOPI of Colombia, Dominican Association of Teachers of English, Honduras TESOL, MEXTESOL (Mexico), Panama TESOL, Puerto Rico TESOL, VenTESOL (Venezuela)

Midwest Regional Illinois TESOL/BE, Indiana TESOL, Kansas TESOL, Michigan TESOL, Mid-America TESOL (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska), Minnesota TESOL, Wisconsin TESOL

Pan-Asian Conference Korea TESOL, JALT (Japan), Thai-TESOL

Rocky Mountain Regional Arizona TESOL, Colorado TESOL, Intermountain TESOL (Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming), New Mexico TESOL

Southeast Regional TESOL Alabama-Mississippi TESOL, Carolinas TESOL, Georgia TESOL, Sunshine State TESOL (Florida), Kentucky TESOL, Louisiana TESOL, Tennessee TESOL, Virginia TESOL

Southern Cone Regional ARTESOL (Argentina), BRAZ-TESOL (Brazil), TESOL Chile, FENAPIUPE (Ecuador), Paraguay TESOL, Peru TESOL, URUTESOL (Uruguay)

TriTESOL BCTEAL, Oregon TESOL, WAESOL (Washington State)

TESOL.org membership fees vary. A membership does not include membership to regional TESOL.org affiliates, nor does membership with a TESOL.org affiliate include membership in the worldwide TESOL.org membership.

TESOL.org holds conventions each year and the 2008 convention was in Denver, Colorado, USA. The TESOL.org worldwide calendar of events is here, which includes affiliate events. The plethora of exhibits at TESOL.org conferences provide the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other professionals -- it's a great way to network and keep up to date on the trends in the industry.

TESOL.org conventions host many publishers in the field who are eager to present their latest books available for purchase. Regional affiliates also hold conferences, and although they are not as large, they cater more specifically to individuals working within those regions. They also enable members to attend conferences at lower cost and save on travel.

Informative presentations abound at the conventions and cover a wide range of topics such as publisher workshops, teaching techniques in a multitude of areas, teaching different age groups, utilizing authentic materials, Generation 1.5, teaching different skill areas and much more. TESOL.org conventions are a relatively an easy way for professionals to stay connected and to get a snapshot of areas they may be unfamiliar with and may want additional information on in a short, efficient period of time. The presenters often reference useful sources to instruct atendees.

TESOL.org membership includes a free subscription to Essential Teacher, the organization's quarterly magazine. Inside are articles written by professionals, often focused on specialty topics. Essential Teacher is another way the field keeps its finger on the TESOL.org pulse.

Finally, TESOL.org members can select interest sections and groups choosen based on a member's specific interests and concerns as an ESOL (ESF/EFL) teacher. Examples include Intercultural Communication, Teaching Young Learners, and Computer Assisted Language Learning. This service allows teachers to connect with other professionals in their field. Once involved, questions and answers are exchanged and ideas shared.

With both the on-line career center and access to real recruiters and school director at the job fair at the conventions, TESOL.org is a way to find out about job opportunities. It’s a great resource for teachers and schools alike.

Whether a new or seasoned teacher in the ESOL field, TESOL.org is well worth a look.