Alexandria, VA, 19 September 2011 - Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), the leading association for English language educators, announces its new name: TESOL International Association. The TESOL Board of Directors approved the name change after many months of discussion and deliberation. The TESOL Board also recently approved a new three-year strategic plan as well as a new credo and updated core values.

In addition to the new name, TESOL will be launching a new logo and a new Web site later this fall.

 

Since its founding nearly 50 years ago, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL, as it has become widely known, has helped shape the field of English language teaching and learning. Its name, in fact, is also the same as the name of the academic field. As TESOL the field has evolved to meet the exploding worldwide demand for English language teaching, TESOL the association has evolved right along with it.

 

“We have been moving in the direction of a name change for a number of years,” said Christine Coombe, President of the TESOL Board of Directors. “This is really the right time for TESOL, and the association’s new tag line, ‘Advancing Excellence in English Language Teaching,’ really captures who we are.”

 

The association adopted the new name because it better communicates who the association is. The new name is also expected to create less confusion about the role of the association as it reaches out to new groups and individuals around the globe.

 

“This is an exciting time for TESOL,” noted TESOL Executive Director Rosa Aronson. “The new name, supported by the new strategic plan and a new brand identity, will really help support our core mission of professional development and education for thousands of teachers.”

Founded in 1966, TESOL International Association is a professional community of educators, researchers, administrators, and students committed to advancing excellence in English language teaching for speakers of other languages worldwide.

 

With more than 12,000 members representing 156 countries, TESOL fosters the exchange of ideas, research, and peer-to-peer knowledge, and provides expertise, resources, and a powerful voice on issues affecting the profession. Through professional development programs, its International Conference, interest sections, and publications, TESOL engages tens of thousands of professionals to collaborate globally and create a world of opportunity for millions of people of all ages who want to learn English.

 

    Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
1925 Ballenger Ave., Suite 550, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 USA
Tel +1 703.836.0774  888.547.3369  

Fax +1 703.836.7864 E-mail info@tesol.org 