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Since its founding in 1963, TESOL International Association has embodied its mission of advancing expertise in English Language teaching to multilingual learners of English globally through professional learning, research, standards, and advocacy. During these 50+ years, we have grown into a truly worldwide association, continuing to expand our advocacy efforts in support of all educators, professionals, and learners.
Over the past year, we have engaged our affiliates and members across the globe through calls and one-on-one meetings, as well as surveys, to better understand the issues that impact them, the profession, and the learners in their care. Through this process, we have learned of the many advocacy efforts and needs, all of which have helped guide our association towards Global Advocacy for the English Language Teaching Profession.
Through a re-examination of advocacy in a global context, we will employ greater diversity of content and action, for greater access and support, no matter the issue, location, or context, through use of all our members, all of our voices, all of our concerns.
As we go forward, our public-facing media will enhance access and demonstrate a more inclusive approach in the resources and events utilized in advocacy. We will expand the repertoire of support on issues that matter and impact the profession, and we will seek to highlight more of the amazing stories of work that is being done now across the world.
Our Global Advocacy portal will highlight four (4) areas from which members, affiliates, and the public may engage in support of their own efforts to elevate and advance the profession:
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Position Papers and Fact Sheets
We already have a variety of Position Statements (www.tesol.org/position-statements) available across a variety of multilingual contexts and in the coming months we will add Statements on:
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Provision of and Access to Professional Development for Educators
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Nondiscrimination of Nonnative Speakers of English in the ELT Profession
Additionally, we will enhance our resources with Fact Sheets on multilingual learners of English and the professionals serving them, along with information on policy across the globe.
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Advocacy in Real Time
We have begun podcast series called TESOL Talks (www.tesol.org/professional-development/publications-and-research/tesol-publications/tesol-talks) and will continue to expand the content as well as hosts - we are always looking for stories of impact to highlight and invite you share your stories, which will then incorporate into the portal.
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Advocacy Engagement
We want to hear from you, and we will make the process easier through a "Submit an Issue Form." Additionally, we will continue to provide our survey and will hold our quarterly calls with Affiliates. Please look for an invite in the coming weeks.
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Advocacy Action
We will continue to provide campaigns that support U.S. federal and state policies, while we seek out better ways to support policy initiatives across the globe. One way you can help us is through Affiliate Updates, especially those on policy issues.
With our values and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, our progress towards Global Advocacy for the English Language Teaching Profession is exciting. We will move forward together, all of us, no matter our location or context or the challenges before us.
Jeff Hutcheson, TESOL International Association, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
jhutcheson@tesol.org
affiliates@tesol.org
advocacy@tesol.org
Jeff Hutcheson, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy for TESOL International Association, leads efforts to raise awareness and voices for multilingual learners of English and TESOL professionals. Through this role, Jeff works closely with TESOL's members and affiliates to ensure its diverse voices are amplified and its interests served at all levels - locally, federally, and globally. |
