April 27, 2015
Office of International Programs instructors, administrators present at international conference
The Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages International Association's 2015 annual meeting was March 24-28 in Toronto. More than 5,000 professionals from all over the world attended, including 13 English Language Program instructors and administrators from K-State's Office of International Programs.
The association is an international association of professionals advancing the quality of English language teaching through professional development, research, standards and advocacy.
Mary Wood, English Language Program director, and Beverley Earles, associate director, presented "Responding to Perceived Threats: Evidencing Programs' Professionalism, Rigor and Sustainability" as part of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Program Administration Intersection Panel with colleagues from the University of South Carolina, University of Alaska, Barry University, Florida and the University of New Hampshire.
Earles also serves as the current Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Conference Program administration chair.
Additional K-State English Language Program instructors presenting included:
April M. Darnell gave the practice-oriented presentation "Implementing Collaborative Course Teams: Maintaining Standards in a Dynamic Program."
Abby Franchitti, English Language Program curriculum and assessment director, presented as part of a higher education panel on the topic "Advocating for Non Native English Speaker Teachers of English." Franchitti is the current Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages chair of higher education.
Christina Kitson, English Language Program instructor, presented in the research-oriented session "ELLs and Their Performance on State-Mandated Assessment."