Frequently Asked Questions

After careful consideration of our values, our commitments to the profession and host affiliate, and our attendees’ safety, the TESOL board of directors made the decision to move forward with hosting TESOL 2024 in Tampa. In making this decision the TESOL board of directors affirmed our commitment to:

• Support our members and the thousands of multilingual learners of English.
• Encourage English language teaching (ELT) professionals to speak up, advocate, and educate.
• Amplify voices for academic freedom and culturally/linguistically relevant teaching.
• Demonstrate that our profession is stronger when we come together, united, and present.

By holding TESOL 2024 in Florida, TESOL will live out its values and amplify the voices of those who may not be able speak for themselves. Our presence will be exponentially more impactful than our absence. You can read the full statement issued by our TESOL president here: "Bringing TESOL's Values to Florida".

Florida, and many other states and municipalities in the United States, is making headlines for legislative debates and actions impacting educators, students, and families. Specifically, Florida legislation has:

• Prohibited public education classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender in grades K-3 through HB 1557 and through grade 12 by State Board Rule 6A-10.081 F.A.C.
• Made it unlawful, through HB 7, to subject K-12 public education students or employees to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe specified concepts that makes the individual feel as if they are not equal or causes psychological distress because of their race, color, national origin, or sex.
• Shifted the focus of mental health instruction, including social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative justice, and restorative practices to align with the state’s resiliency education instruction.
• Made Florida the 26th U.S. state, through HB 543, to authorize a person to carry a concealed weapon if licensed, or if that person meets specified requirements, to do so.
• Imposed restrictions on hiring and transporting undocumented immigrants as well as established hospitals to inquire about immigration status., through SB 1718. This bill is considered state overreach for what is federal authority (immigration) and is being challenged in court. TESOL will keep all posted on the status of the court challenges. 

As a result, groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Equality Florida —  Florida’s statewide civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community — have issued travel advisories for Florida. In addition, some states bar using state funds to travel to Florida.

TESOL leaders are working very closely with the local affiliate, SunShine State TESOL, to support English language educators and the multilingual learners of English. In addition, the planning team is working working with our members for the safety and well-being of all attendees, especially those from marginalized communities. You can expect items such as:

• a position paper on discrimination in education,
• opportunities to share your concerns and work together to move forward,
• state-level legislative campaigns to advocate for multilingual learners of English and the profession,
• diverse presenters, and
• opportunities to engage in fundraising and awareness-building efforts in support of Florida charities and local businesses that align with TESOL’s values.

The TESOL board of directors and TESOL staff are engaging with dozens of internal constituencies and external organizations. Those groups include the LGBTQ+ Professional Learning Network, Social Responsibility Interest Section, Black English Language Professionals and Friends (BELPAF) Professional Learning Network, and Visit Tampa Bay.

Our highest priority is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for TESOLers to gather. All attendees and visitors are required to abide by our code of conduct, and TESOL staff are actively working with Visit Tampa Bay and local authorities to communicate our attendees’ concerns and coordinate security measures. TESOL 2024 attendees will experience an increased security presence, with more visible badge checks throughout the convention space. Additionally, no weapons of any kind will be allowed in the facilities at TESOL 2024.

Furthermore, we are reviewing our own security protocols, attendee code of conduct, and communication plans to ensure we are prepared in case of an emergency.

Some may be hesitant to travel to Florida. This is understandable. No matter your decision, the TESOL leadership and your colleagues within TESOL support you and prioritize your well-being.

TESOL representatives are working with Visit Tampa Bay to provide attendees information on supporting locally owned minority businesses and other organizations. Additionally, TESOL advocacy staff are working with our affiliate, SunShine State TESOL, on advocacy opportunities leading up to, during, and beyond TESOL 2024.

Controversial legislation is not unique to the state of Florida. Several states and countries around the world are experiencing similar obstacles. To become a part of the conversation, please contact advocacy@tesol.org to discuss opportunities of support. As well, please visit our advocacy page for more information.

In planning your trip to Tampa, you or your groups have the opportunity to support the local businesses across the city, whether planning socials and events or just a night out. Visit Tampa Bay offers all visitors a quick access guide to almost 200 local businesses, including filtering options for women-, Black-, Hispanic-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ ownership. Find more information at the Visit Tampa Bay’s site. 

Additional options provided by Visit Tampa Bay include its Tampa Bay Multicultural Guide and its Visit Tampa Gay guide. 

Proposal submitters will be notified at the end of August 2023 if their session has been accepted, rejected, or considered as an alternative session. At the end of October, all presenters, both adjudicated and nonadjudicated, will be notified of the date and time their session has been scheduled for presentation.

The deadline to submit a session proposal for both the in-person and the virtual convention was 1 June 2023. At this time the call for submissions is closed and reviewers are evaluating the proposals received.

TESOL convention will convene in Tampa, Florida, USA, from Thursday, 21 March through Saturday, 23 March. An opening keynote and networking session will take place on the evening of Wednesday, 20 March 2024. 

Registration for TESOL 2024 is scheduled to open in November 2023. If you need to use funds or budget for registration before this, please email conventions@tesol.org.

Applications will open in early July. Watch your email, TESOL’s social media channels, and website for further details and deadlines.

Yes, both gender-inclusive and gender-specific restrooms will be available for attendees.

Yes, TESOL provides quiet rooms for attendees.

Yes, TESOL provides private spaces for nursing attendees.

Yes, you will be allowed to drive on your out of state or home country drivers license while visiting Florida. Find more information on driving in Florida here. 

Visit Tampa Bay provides a wide range of information on accessible travel while visiting Tampa. See the resource here. 

Please send an email to conventions@tesol.org with any of your TESOL 2024 questions not addressed here.