Virtual 2021 TESOL International Convention to Bring Together Over 9,000 English Language Educators
From 24-27 March, more than 9,000 educators from over 135 countries will log-on to attend the virtual 2021 TESOL International Convention & English Language Expo. The world’s largest event of its kind, the annual convention is organized by TESOL International Association, the professional association for more than 11,000 teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
Kicking off the convention at 7:00 pm US EDT is the opening keynote sponsored by National Geographic Learning. Journalist and author Clint Smith will discuss how teachers can use their classrooms to address inequality and help their students dream of building a better world in “Transforming Classrooms.”
On Thursday, 25 March at 8:00 am US EDT, author, thought leader, and strategist Glenn Singleton will provide the James E. Alatis Plenary and discuss the boundaries created by race in our lives, and how we can open ourselves up to the wholeness of humanity that we all seek in “Courageous Conversation™: Building Bridges, Not Borders.” After Singleton’s plenary, Cindy Mi, Founder and CEO of VIPKID, will share her personal journey and offer her insights into the world of online learning during her keynote “The Global Classroom: Past, Present, and Future of Online Learning.”
Beginning at 8:00 am US EDT on Friday, 26 March, speaker, author, and consultant Janet Zadina will discuss how stress hijacks the brain and will offer strategies for taking control in “The Pandemic Brain: Science and Strategies for Optimal Learning.”
The convention’s final plenary on Saturday, 27 March at 12:00 pm US EDT will be presented by TESOL President Deborah J. Short. In her Presidential Keynote, “Our Extraordinary Year: Stories of Resilience and Reinvention,” Short will discuss the resilience of educators since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they took action to meet their learners’ needs and their own.
In addition to each keynote, attendees will have access to over 650 educational sessions presented by experts on a broad variety of topics, including language instruction and assessment, immigration policy, technology in language learning, bilingual education, and standards. The programs will provide valuable opportunities to build new understandings and networks across various contexts.
Convention highlights include:
• 2021 TESOL Presidents’ Award presented to the International Rescue Committee.
• CALL-IS Electronic Village, a special virtual space to explore technological resources for language teaching and learning in the classroom and online.
• Installation of Gabriela Kleckova, University of West Bohemia, Plzen, Czech Republic as 2021–2022 president of TESOL International Association.
• Khanh-Duc Kuttig is honored as the 2021 TESOL Teacher of the Year.
• Federico Salas Isnardi honored as the recipient of the James E. Alatis Award for Service to TESOL.
• Over 40 exhibitor booths in the Virtual Expo Hall, a space where attendees can learn about the latest English language teaching products and services, and interact with exhibitors to have their questions answered.
TESOL gratefully acknowledges its Sustaining Partner: National Geographic Learning, Strategic Partner: American Federation of Teachers, its Platinum Sponsors: Istation and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs, and all of its other sponsors for their support of the 2021 convention.
Visit the 2021 TESOL Convention website for complete information.