Later this year, TESOL International Association will again be hosting its annual TESOL Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., USA. Scheduled for 18-19 June 2012, this event brings together TESOL educators from across the United States to receive updates on U.S. education policy, learn more about the workings of the U.S. Congress and federal government, and meet with their representatives in Washington, D.C.

Now in its seventh year, TESOL Advocacy Day has grown steadily over time. Due to increased interest, the event was opened to all members for the first time last year. As a new feature for this year, all TESOL affiliates in good standing will receive one complimentary registration to TESOL Advocacy Day.

Last year, over 40 participants from approximately 25 TESOL affiliates came to Washington, D.C., to learn more about proposals to change and renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently authorized as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Expanded to two days for the first time, the event featured a full day of issue briefings and activities around education legislation and advocacy, followed by a full day of visits to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill. By the end of the event, TESOL members had visited the offices of more than 100 U.S. representatives and senators.

The goals of Advocacy Day are to not only ensure that legislators hear from the TESOL field on key issues, but also to provide an interactive learning experience for participants on elements of advocacy. Participants have found the event to be not only a valuable experience in learning more about key education policy issues, but a great leadership development opportunity as well.

For the many participants experiencing Advocacy Day for the first time, it can be an enlightening experience. Judy O’Loughlin, a leader from California TESOL, explained her experience at TESOL Advocacy Day 2011: “Although I had often written to my senators and representatives about English learner needs, I felt rather nervous about speaking face-to-face. But once I started to talk to each of these Congressional and Senate aides about my own personal experiences and those of colleagues throughout the country, I spoke from my heart and they listened! It was really amazing!”

Information will be sent to affiliates in early March about their complimentary registration for TESOL Advocacy Day 2012. Registration and hotel information is available online now at the Advocacy Day webpage.