The Bilingual Education Interest Section (BEIS) of TESOL has the purpose of supporting and promoting primary languages and literacies as fundamental to the acquisition of English as a second or additional language. BEIS supports the human right of all individuals to develop and maintain proficiency in a primary language, including a native signed language, and in English. Teachers of English to Deaf Students (TEDS) is part of BEIS.

The BEIS leadership team for 2015–2016 is as follows:

• Dawn Wink, Past Chair
• Sandra Musanti, Chair
• Francisco Ramos, Chair-Elect