Dear VDMIS Members,

This is the first time that I speak to you as chair of VDMIS. Having been our newsletter editor for seven years, I am honored to serve as chair of this interest section. I still remember my first TESOL conference, in 2003, at Long Beach, California. Wandering about making some friends at the business meeting of the Video IS, I was immediately invited by a group of passionate and friendly people and became the assistant of Johanna Katchen, the newsletter editor then. This is how I got started with VDMIS. For the past many years, I have met so many great colleagues and people in this group, who have been interested and devoted to using video and digital media in English language teaching. I have learned so much and am inspired by them. And now, I am glad that I can have this opportunity to give something back to this wonderful group.

Our Academic Session at the TESOL conference this year went well: We almost had a full house! Lilia Savova, Sean Sebastian Gomez, Ashley Hastings, Gori Smith, and I talked about using video/digital media tools to teach the big four skills. Each of us shared our experiences of using video and digital media in teaching English. We had enthusiastic responses from the attendees, and I also received several e-mail messages asking for handouts or wishing further discussions. We were very pleased with this turnout.

We in VDMIS would love to share our experience with whoever is interested in using video and digital media in language teaching. If you want to know more about using video and digital media in English language teaching or you have something to share with us, please find us at the TESOL community webpage or our Facebook page. (Many thanks to Antonio M. Miyar, our technical expert, who has started this page for us.) Any questions or discussion is welcome. And these days we are planning and working on sessions for the 2013 TESOL conference. Should you have any dynamic ideas or be interested in presenting with us, definitely let us know.

Finally, may all our VDMIS members have an enjoyable summer. And don’t forget, let’s keep in touch.

Kenneth Chi received his TESOL teacher certificate at Teachers College, Columbia University, and his MA from New York University. He is currently teaching at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan. He has been teaching English as a foreign language for more than 15 years. His interests are incorporating movies and digital media into language lessons, assessment, and grammar teaching.