Hello Colleagues,

The annual TESOL International Convention in Toronto is now just around the corner, and for the first time in my nine-convention history, I won’t need to cross a border (which is ironic, given the theme of this year’s convention: “Crossing Borders, Building Bridges”). And, as always, I’m really looking forward to seeing colleagues, friends, acquaintances, and newcomers at the Technology Showcase and Electronic Village (EV) Fairs venue.

With a pleasant combination of innovation and welcoming spirit, the TESOL CALL-IS offers opportunities for year-round volunteer involvement and professional development. Positive, developmental, highly knowledgeable, collegial, humorous, imaginative, giving, technologically adventurous, and most important, fun to be with—these all describe people I’ve had the good fortune to meet and work/play with in the EV.

Whether year round or at the convention, the CALL-IS has offered learning opportunities to me about everything from stand-alone programs to cloud computing, from cellphone to desktop, from local classroom to global community, from independent learning to real-time connection… you get the idea(s).

For educators and students alike, these are exciting times. Abundant opportunities exist for incorporating electronics into your classroom, or for reaching out to an audience that can be worldwide. Come, meet, and discuss with colleagues who are recognizing and developing the potential of electronics to benefit their students’ learning and make futures brighter.

See you in the EV!

Jack Watson

2015 TESOL CALL-IS Incoming Chair-Elect

Jack Watson is the e-learning coordinator at the University of New Brunswick English Language Programme in Fredericton, NB, Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in ESL, his professional interests include online and blended learning, language learning through community contact, and teaching beginners. Extracurricular interests include blues guitar, amateur website building, photography, and playing with Siamese cats.