Greetings everyone from Aotearoa (Māori name for New Zealand). It has been my pleasure, and challenge, to serve in the role of President of New Zealand’s national association for TESOL (TESOLANZ) for 10 months. This work has brought me into contact with numerous, motivated practitioners during this time. It has also been a (pleasant) challenge, as it has introduced me to the diverse range of sectors that constitute TESOL in the Land of the Long White Cloud (literal translation of Aotearoa).

Hard Mahi (work) Ahead

A current project for TESOLANZ is to work towards adopting a strategic plan that serves the interests of the membership. We are working to survey all members and use this feedback to generate a strategic plan that will hopefully be adopted at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October. TESOLANZ is a relatively small affiliate of TESOL (and IATEFL) and this means we have challenges in meeting the wide-ranging needs of our sectors. TESOLANZ has members who work in universities, polytechnics, and elementary/secondary schools. Some work in private, some in public education. In addition, many of our members are involved in migrant and refugee support. By adopting a strategic plan, we will enable the organization to operate more strategically in its allocation of resources.

Given the rapid changes New Zealand has experienced (in terms of immigration, diversity and government) it’s important that we do act strategically. New Zealand’s main centers (such as Auckland, Wellington) have long been identified as having super-diverse populations. However, this diversity has begun to spread to more rural areas. Large numbers of dairy farmers from the Philippines and South America have arrived to forge new lives in the South Island. This arrival of new workers has also brought changes to schools. Therefore, there is a demand for ESOL support in small, rural areas, in addition to larger urban centers.

National Conference (CLESOL 2018)

TESOLANZ’s national conference is held every 2 years. This year, 2018, sees the national conference returning to Christchurch for the first time since the devastating earthquakes that struck the city in 2010 and 2011. As Co-Convenor for this event, I have worked alongside our amazing organizing committee to ensure an event which brings together practitioners to learn, share, and network. The theme of this year’s conference is Transforming our Landscape. This will enable delegates to reflect shifting perspectives in the diversity of language used in society, language learning, and social policy. In addition, given the changing face of the city (both physically and demographically) since the earthquakes, the theme is relevant to our place and time.

Ngā mihi,

Daryl Streat

President - TESOLANZ

Bio

Daryl Streat is the current Head of Programme for English Language at Lincoln University. In addition, he is the current President of TESOLANZ, the professional association for English language teachers in New Zealand. He has spent the past 18 years working in TESOL as a teacher, trainer, and programme manager. He returned to New Zealand in 2015, after 15 years in Taiwan. He is passionate about international student experience and ensuring we provide quality ESOL programmes for all students in our sector. His interests are in specific vocabulary (for the agriculture sector) and education leadership in TESOL.