TESOL International Association is run primarily by member volunteers just like you, with assistance from an office staff based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. If you have ever wondered how TESOL conducts its business or why it does things the way it does, you will find answers here.
TESOL is an international association of professionals advancing the quality of English language teaching through professional development, research, standards, and advocacy.
TESOL International Association is governed by a 11-member elected board of directors. The TESOL executive director serves as an ex-officio member of the board. The three-person Executive Committee includes the president, president-elect, and the past president.
TESOL has six Professional Councils and three Governance Committees. Made up of TESOL members, the Professional Councils provide professional expertise to help advance the association's strategic objectives and activities. The Governance Committees are responsible for critical areas of governance with the association. Members of these committees are elected.
During 2021 and 2022 the TESOL board of directors engaged in a multistep strategic thinking process that resulted in the establishment of guiding principles, identifying three focus areas and developing strategic priorities to guide the association between 2022 and 2025. This new strategic direction was unanimously approved by the TESOL board of directors in October 2022, and went into effect immediately.
Bylaws and Policy Manual
The
TESOL Bylaws describe how TESOL International Association is structured and constituted as a legal entity.
The
TESOL Policy Manual contains information on TESOL's mission, values, governance structure, and procedures. It will tell you how and why TESOL does things the way it does.
If you have any questions about the TESOL Policy Manual or the Bylaws, please contact
Rita Buckner.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, TESOL's original name, was founded in 1966. This history was written by James Alatis, TESOL's first executive director.