Читать книгу Introduction to TESOL - Kate Reynolds - Страница 43

I attended my first TESOL International Association Convention in 2009 in Denver, Colorado, as an undergraduate student with only a couple years of theoretical classroom knowledge and encouragement from my advisor, who was very active in the TESOL community. I was assured an engaging, fun experience and the reality certainly did not disappoint.

Coming from a smaller university with an intimate TEFL program, the TESOL convention was my first real-world glimpse into the breadth and diversity of the field. I remember the feeling of amazement the first time I paged through the conference guide and saw the variety of sessions and workshops being offered in just a few days. The range of interest sections and topics was impressive and exciting. There was so much more than I expected, and the scope of fields affiliated with TESOL instantly broadened. There were sessions about peacekeeping and conflict resolution, public policy, linguistics, and technology in addition to the hundreds of sessions about pedagogy—lessons, best practices, and opportunities to hear about practical classroom experiences. As a student with very little hands-on experience in the field, these sessions were insightful and offered authentic applications of textbook and classroom-learned theories and practices. Attending the conference proved to enhance of my education as well as a connection to the professional realm. The community is welcoming, and I never felt out of place or too unqualified to be there.

I continued attending after gaining teaching experience, eventually submitting my own proposals and participating as a co-presenter in collaborative sessions with fellow classmates and colleagues. In addition to local and state conferences, I have found the convention to be a touchstone for staying current with advancements in the international field. It has been one of the best ways to connect with teachers and advocates to share and learn new resources and ideas.

Kara Shore

Instructor