|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Are you planning to attend this year's International TESOL Conference in Toronto? |
| Yes |
|
12% |
[ 2 ] |
| No |
|
75% |
[ 12 ] |
| Maybe |
|
12% |
[ 2 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 16 |
|
| Author |
Message |
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:51 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| Thank you, Fat Chris. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nomad soul wrote: |
| No sweat. The more, the merrier. As I stated, I was just asking a simple question---as benign as asking about the weather. I didn't expect to strike anyone's nerves. I have no preference for one association over another, and in fact, I belong to several... and more. |
Ah, no sweat. No nerves of mine were struck. I attempted to state this matter-of-factly but not in a curt manner.
I like the idea of belonging to several associations and "spreading the wealth around". Being based in Asia, I like learning about the local scene and also contributing locally to teachers and researchers here.
I would like to attend a TESOL International conference in the States sometime in the immediate future, but at the moment I shall focus on participating in events in East Asia.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DrTongue
Joined: 08 Mar 2013
Posts: 29
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Best of luck with that. That's a pretty big deal to be presenting at TESOL. Have fun with it and get some good networking in! |
Thanks, Chris. I am looking forward to it, but I confess to being a little nervous too. However, things rarely turn out as dire as I expect. In fact, things usually come out okay and I guess this will too . . . provided that I actually get to work on finishing the darn thing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks to everyone who has replied. I'm planning to be in Toronto this year and plan to divide my time between workshops on ELT management and integrating reading and writing instruction. And, of course, these events are always great for networking. Indeed, the networking aspect is often more worthwhile than the conference sessions themselves. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
| suphanburi wrote: |
| TESOL International isn't the only game in town and there is nothing (other than American ethnocentrism) to make them any more valid than any of the other umbrella organizations. |
Agreed. Thanks for sharing some of the alternatives with us. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
conwaypk
Joined: 18 Aug 2014
Posts: 38
Location: Indiana, for the moment
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| conwaypk wrote: |
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
One also might not call such people 'teachers' at all.
Yes, it is primarily 'serious'/career teachers who go to conferences about... teaching. Conferences are great ways to learn new techniques and ideas for teaching, and to meet/network with other teachers, which probably wouldn't be of interest to someone who is only using EFL teaching as a way to fund their travels. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| conwaypk wrote: |
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
I can't afford to go because I'm a serious teacher. 
(I would have gone if I was still back in Montreal!) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| conwaypk wrote: |
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
One also might not call such people 'teachers' at all.
Yes, it is primarily 'serious'/career teachers who go to conferences about... teaching. Conferences are great ways to learn new techniques and ideas for teaching, and to meet/network with other teachers, which probably wouldn't be of interest to someone who is only using EFL teaching as a way to fund their travels. |
And, in the case of some of bigger conferences like International TESOL or TESOL Arabia, they are a great place to attend job fairs, circulate resumes, and meet future prospective employers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| santi84 wrote: |
| conwaypk wrote: |
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
I can't afford to go because I'm a serious teacher.
(I would have gone if I was still back in Montreal!) |
Unfortunately, most serious teachers--myself included--could never afford to attend a conference like this on our own dime.
The best ways to attend a major international conference, short of cashing out one's meager retirement funds, are:
1. Get funding from your employer to attend. Easier said than done, of course, especially if you work for a cash-strapped public college like I do. I applied for a professional development grant and, much to my surprise, actually got it. For some, this approach may be more akin to winning the lottery.
2. Get involved in your regional TESOL affiliate. Join the board. Become an officer. Most TESOL affiliates pay or help subsidize the costs for one or more of their officers to attend International TESOL each year. And, frankly, most need all the help they can get, so joining the board and working your way up to an officer position really isn't that hard. More importantly, your involvement in your local TESOL affiliate will significantly boost your profile both in your community and in the profession and, most likely, will open the door to additional opportunities down the road.
3. Wait until the International TESOL is hosted in your city. Again, this may be like waiting to win the lottery. However, the costs decrease significantly if you don't have to pay for flights, hotel, and meals and can just commute to the conference from home each morning. Alternatively, try attending in a city where you have friends, family, or colleagues who will let you crash at their place during the conference.
4. Other????
For most of us, though, attending a major international conference is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity. But, it can be done without breaking the bank. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| esl_prof wrote: |
| santi84 wrote: |
| conwaypk wrote: |
Do only serious teachers go to these things?
I don't really see a reason to be going to something like this, especially if a teacher is teaching primarily to travel. |
I can't afford to go because I'm a serious teacher.
(I would have gone if I was still back in Montreal!) |
Unfortunately, most serious teachers--myself included--could never afford to attend a conference like this on our own dime.
The best ways to attend a major international conference, short of cashing out one's meager retirement funds, are:
1. Get funding from your employer to attend. Easier said than done, of course, especially if you work for a cash-strapped public college like I do. I applied for a professional development grant and, much to my surprise, actually got it. For some, this approach may be more akin to winning the lottery.
2. Get involved in your regional TESOL affiliate. Join the board. Become an officer. Most TESOL affiliates pay or help subsidize the costs for one or more of their officers to attend International TESOL each year. And, frankly, most need all the help they can get, so joining the board and working your way up to an officer position really isn't that hard. More importantly, your involvement in your local TESOL affiliate will significantly boost your profile both in your community and in the profession and, most likely, will open the door to additional opportunities down the road.
3. Wait until the International TESOL is hosted in your city. Again, this may be like waiting to win the lottery. However, the costs decrease significantly if you don't have to pay for flights, hotel, and meals and can just commute to the conference from home each morning. Alternatively, try attending in a city where you have friends, family, or colleagues who will let you crash at their place during the conference.
4. Other????
For most of us, though, attending a major international conference is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity. But, it can be done without breaking the bank. |
Wise words as always, esl_prof! I'm currently employed by an adult literacy non-profit. Unfortunately, financial contributions beyond monthly workshops do not exist. I'm still just starting my career in ESL, so I anticipate working in a college sometime in the future and certainly would love to attend one day!
For me at this time, I can't justify spending that kind of money to a conference that's on the other side of Canada. If it were somewhere with lots of sunshine and warmer waters, I'd consider it.
Until then, I'll wait for TESOL International Edmonton 2042 or something like that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| santi84 wrote: |
| For me at this time, I can't justify spending that kind of money to a conference that's on the other side of Canada. If it were somewhere with lots of sunshine and warmer waters, I'd consider it. |
Understood. Is there a local TESOL affiliate in Alberta? Frankly, the local affiliates often offer pretty decent conferences and are well worth the time and very minimal registration fee to attend.
| santi84 wrote: |
| Until then, I'll wait for TESOL International Edmonton 2042 or something like that. |
I should be eligible for another professional development grant by then. I'll look forward to meeting you in person.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| esl_prof wrote: |
| santi84 wrote: |
| For me at this time, I can't justify spending that kind of money to a conference that's on the other side of Canada. If it were somewhere with lots of sunshine and warmer waters, I'd consider it. |
Understood. Is there a local TESOL affiliate in Alberta? Frankly, the local affiliates often offer pretty decent conferences and are well worth the time and very minimal registration fee to attend.
| santi84 wrote: |
| Until then, I'll wait for TESOL International Edmonton 2042 or something like that. |
I should be eligible for another professional development grant by then. I'll look forward to meeting you in person. |
TESL Canada National Conference is being hosted by ATESL (Alberta TESL) in Lake Louise this October, I'm considering that one for sure. I might have to camp out though. Lake Louise is gorgeous  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| santi84 wrote: |
| TESL Canada National Conference is being hosted by ATESL (Alberta TESL) in Lake Louise this October, I'm considering that one for sure. I might have to camp out though. Lake Louise is gorgeous |
Sounds like fun!!! I hope it works out for you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
