Dear fellow SPLISers:

In looking forward to what I’m sure will be a really dynamic TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo in Philadelphia, March 28-31, 2012, I would like to focus on the word “expo.” If taken seriously, the expo will be a time when all of us can share what we believe to be the best features of our teaching styles and approaches. Theory and practices will be united into new, symbiotic formations and pedagogical activity. It is a shared quest to reach new ways to help our language learners.

SPLIS itself has a wonderful lineup of workshops, poster sessions, discussions, and papers/demonstrations that expose some new approaches to language learning and teaching and some new perspectives on traditional challenges. The Academic Session, organized by our chair-elect, Michael Burri, and featuring John Murphy, Janet Goodwin, Donna Brinton, me, and Bill Acton, will focus on the ways that pronunciation teaching can best be integrated into a number of teaching environments. The InterSection unites SPLIS with the Teacher Ed Interest Section and the IEP Interest Section to explore ways to train students/teachers in pronunciation strategies that can be applied to pronunciation training within intensive language programs. This session will feature Linda Grant, John Levis, and Sue Miller of SPLIS, Carol Romett of IEPIS, and Susan Spezzini of TEIS. Please note the date and time: March 30, 2012, from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. in Room Franklin 6, the Marriott.

For more in-depth professional development, please look at the Pre- and Post-Convention Institutes on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. These workshops are exceptional opportunities to spend time with experts teaching their various specialties in half- or full-day sessions. Do sign up for one or two. We have several SPLIS-related offerings this year. Start planning now by visiting the TESOL 2012 convention web page and planning your TESOL 2012 experience.

Last, but certainly not least, be sure to come to our Thursday business meeting. It is really more of a social gathering than a business meeting (although we do look over the past year’s business and focus on the new) that allows you to get to know people with similar interest in pronunciation, speaking, and listening.

Thank you, everyone, especially Chair-Elect Michael Burri, past chairs Holly Gray and Robert Elliott, and all the hard-working reviewers who offer their minds, their hearts, and their time to make our organization and interest section so successful. It’s been a stimulating year and I look forward to even more dynamic sessions at the 2012 convention. See you there!

Gary

Gary Carkin is professor of TESOL at the Institute of Language Education, Southern New Hampshire University, and specializes in teaching English through drama.