TESOL Communities of Practice (COPs) are the association’s professional learning communities, where TESOL members develop and share their expertise on English language teaching and learning with other COPs, professional councils, the TESOL Board of Directors, and their colleagues. COPs are committed to research-based practice and scholarship.
To join Communities of Practice, visit your
member profile. If you have any questions, please contact TESOL
Membership & Strategic Communications.
Types of COPs
TESOL has two types of COPs:
Interest Sections (ISs) and
Professional Learning Networks (PLNs). All COPs adhere to
TESOL's mission, vision, core values, and nondiscrimination policy, and they all support TESOL's strategic vision. But each has a different structure and activities.
Interest Sections
Interest Sections (ISs) are rooted in and contribute to current practice and research in specific areas of English language teaching and learning. ISs create strategies for communications, member engagement, and leadership development. They also sponsor specific projects and engage in year-round outreach.
Professional Learning Networks
Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) are informal, discussion groups that typically emerge in response to specific and timely issues. They are structured by the members, and they form and dissolve as needed.
How to Become a Community of Practice
To apply to become a new Community of Practice (COP), please read the COP Policy Statement and the COP Procedures Manual , then complete the form below that corresponds to the type of COP for which you would like to apply.
If you have any questions about the TESOL's Communities of Practice, please contact TESOL Membership & Strategic Communications.