The following questions and answers are provided in order to help give more information to affiliates and others in the TESOL community about the partnership the role of TESOL International Association.

TESOL's Mission

To advance professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other languages worldwide

TESOL's Credo

TESOL is a professional community that believes in:

• Professionalism in language education
• Interaction of research and practice for educational improvement
• Accessible, high-quality instruction
• Respect for diversity, multilingualism, and multiculturalism
• Respect for individual language rights
• Collaboration in a global community

1. What does the partnership hope to achieve?

The goal of this public–private partnership is to utilize networks, expertise, and resources to respond to the swell of global demand in English language teaching (ELT) and learning. This initiative will enable nongovernmental organizations, universities, companies, and other key ELT stakeholders to combine resources and thereby meet the growing needs of English language teachers and learners worldwide.

2. What is the role of TESOL International Association?

TESOL International Association is working with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State to bring together stakeholders across sectors with an interest in supporting ELT. TESOL is helping to convene organizations and connect resources and opportunities.

3. Are there any current TESOL International Association and U.S. Department of State projects under way?

Yes. For years, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and TESOL International Association have had an informal relationship. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs oversees a wide variety of educational and cultural exchange programs for students, teachers, artists, athletes, and many others through programs for international visitors, English language fellows, Fulbright scholars, and other initiatives.

The Office of English Language Programs at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs supports English language teaching and learning around the world through resources, professional development opportunities, exchanges, and scholarship programs. In fact, many teachers’ associations that are affiliated with TESOL have enjoyed support from the Office of English Language Programs and its Regional English Language Officers. This initiative will formalize collaboration between TESOL International Association and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.

4. Does this partnership signal a change in the association’s mission and values or in its international focus?

No. TESOL International Association is and will remain an international organization, and the association holds firmly to its credo supporting respect for diversity, individual language rights, multilingualism and multiculturalism, and collaboration in a global community.

5. Is the partnership initiative a commercial endeavor? Who will run the consortium?

The partnership initiative is not a for-profit venture, and the consortium will not be a separate entity. Rather, the term “consortium” is being used to describe the collective of different organizations interested in contributing to the goals of the initiative. TESOL International Association and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs are coordinating this effort by bringing such groups together.

6. Who else can participate in the initiative?

While the launch of the initiative is focused on U.S. organizations, TESOL plans to include international partners as well. Resources and expertise in English language teaching and learning are not limited to one country, so TESOL International Association welcomes the opportunity to work with organizations across the globe.

7. Can affiliates of TESOL International Association participate in this initiative?

Absolutely. TESOL International Association sees its affiliates as important partners, and they will have a critical role in this initiative. Many of the projects under consideration focus on specific countries, so TESOL will reach out to its local affiliates for their help to shape and support projects.

8. What is TESOL International Association’s role in the work that it does worldwide?

TESOL International Association is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving a diverse global profession. TESOL communicates and collaborates with a wide variety of organizations, institutions, governmental bodies, companies supporting the ELT field, and other nongovernmental organizations worldwide in carrying out professional development programs, providing services for its members and global network of affiliates, doing research on the field of English language teaching, and advocating on behalf of its members and the profession.