Dear IEPers,

I hope this finds you all well.

The TESOL annual convention is just around the corner. We had hundreds of proposals and many of them were of excellent quality. The IEP Interest Section has selected some wonderful proposals for the convention on all sorts of issues that affect intensive English programs. If you are attending, be sure to look in the convention catalog for sessions sponsored by the IEPIS.

During the convention, we have our InterSection with the EFLIS as cosponsor on the topic “The Changing World of IEPs With Globalization.” This panel will discuss how globalization has brought new possibilities to the traditional way that IEPs are set up and introduce some fascinating twists on the more established practices in IEPs in the United States and Canada. We will also have another InterSection cosponsored by the Higher Education IS on “The Role of IEPs in Higher Education.” This panel will address the political, administrative, and academic issues that confront IEPs in colleges and universities. It promises to be an interesting discussion exploring some of the difficult issues that confront those IEPs attached to tertiary institutions. The IEPIS Academic Session is entitled “Real-World Academic Writing: What English Programs Need to Know.” The incoming chair, Carol Romett, has described that in more detail below.

IEPIS will be hosting an information table on Thursday March 17, 9 to 11 a.m., and Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at the IEPIS table, please let me know at Schmitt@psu.edu.

I hope that many of you will be able to make it to New Orleans in March and look forward to meeting you there. I also know that it is not always possible for everyone to make it to the convention. We will be doing our best to get as much of the discussions and presentations there out to the wider membership one way or another, not least through this newsletter so that all our members can benefit from this professional gathering.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011.

Peace,

Leo