TESOL 2022 Convention – FAQs

General

When does registration open?

Registration for TESOL 2022 is open.  To start the registration process, click the “Register Now” button. You will need to log in or create a TESOL account to proceed. Individual Registration includes both in-person and virtual registration. Individual Virtual Only Registration is for those attending the virtual convention only. The in-person registration fee includes access to the virtual platform for 30 days. The early registration deadline is 1 March 2022.

What is a hybrid Convention?

A hybrid Convention combines a "live" in-person event with a "virtual" online component. For TESOL 2022, we will have two ways to participate, and you can attend either in-person in Pittsburgh or online from 22-25 March 2022. In-person registration includes access to the Virtual Convention at no additional cost. All attendees, in-person and virtual, will have access to the virtual platform for 30 days starting on 22 March.

What are the networking opportunities?

Whether in person, through the app, or in the virtual convention platform, the hybrid Convention offers numerous ways to connect with attendees from all over the world!

I am a full-time student. Can I register at the student rate? 

Only current TESOL Student members are eligible to register at the student rate. To join TESOL as a student member, please go to www.tesol.org/join prior to starting Convention registration. Current members can change their membership type at the time of renewal by emailing members@tesol.org. 

Are there any scholarships to attend the Convention?

The deadline to apply for TESOL International Association awards, grants, and scholarships has passed. Typically, award applications open in August and close in early October annually. To learn more about the TESOL awards program, please visit https://www.tesol.org/enhance-your-career/tesol-awards-honors-grants 

Do you have any resources to help me justify attendance to my employer? 

Yes, you can download the TESOL Justification Toolkit to use for in-person or virtual attendance. 

Will there be a program book or app? 

The TESOL 2022 program book will be available in PDF format. There will also be a mobile app where you can search for both in-person and virtual Convention sessions. More information about the mobile app will be available in late January.

Will there be an Electronic Village?

Yes! The Electronic Village will be held virtually during the TESOL 2022 Convention. CALL-IS has planned an exciting mix of asynchronous and live EV events to help you build and refine your virtual teaching toolbox. The free EV sessions will take place outside of the convention platform. To find the schedule, event descriptions, and hands-on learning resources, visit: https://tinyurl.com/electronicvillage2022. 

In-person Convention 

What are the COVID-19 safety protocols?

The TESOL Convention will follow the local government COVID-19 masking mandates. All Convention hotels and venues follow US COVID-19 mandates and cleaning standards. In addition, sanitization options will be readily available throughout the Convention Center. 

Do I have to be fully vaccinated to attend?  

Yes, all attendees, presenters, exhibitors, staff, volunteers, and vendors attending TESOL 2022 International Convention & English Language Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Westin in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, 21-25 March 2022 must provide proof of vaccination to attend the in-person event.

Will proof of vaccination be required? 

Yes, TESOL will be using CrowdPass to collect participants vaccination records. The app will be available starting in January. All participants will need to download the app and submit prior to arriving in Pittsburgh, PA, USA proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The app will verify the vaccination record and provide the participant a QR code. Upon arriving at the Convention participants will need to show this QR code in order to receive their badge. Badges will be required to attend any sessions, workshops, events, and the Expo.

Who will have access to my vaccination records?

CrowdPass complies with all US HIPPA rules and privacy laws. No one except employees of CrowdPass will have access to records.

Will daily testing be required?

There will be no onsite testing during the Convention. CrowdPass will send participants COVID-19 screening questions daily. 

What about travel restrictions?

International attendees will need to comply with all US airline and destination testing requirements. Testing will not be available at the Convention site; a list of nearby testing centers will be available. We encourage you to make an appointment early. Please review and be familiar with all applicable travel requirements. It is each individual traveler's responsibility to comply with all travel requirements. TESOL is unable to provide this information or assistance if you are not in compliance. 

Will in-person sessions be livestreamed to the virtual Convention platform?

All 4 keynote presentations and 40+ selected sessions will be livestreamed, broadcasted simultaneously, from the in-person Convention to the virtual Convention audience. They will also be recorded and available on the virtual Convention platform the next day and for at least 30 days after. 

What is included with in-person Convention registration?

When registering for in-person Convention, you will have the opportunity to attend all sessions occurring in person and the Expo Hall at the Convention in Pittsburgh from 23-25 March.  In addition, you will have access to more than 200 prerecorded presentations in the virtual platform for 30 days starting on 22 March.

How can I register a group of registrants?  Can we pay separately if we register in a group?  

Group rates are available for in-person Convention only. To be eligible for group rates, each group must have at least 5 in-person registrants in the group. There is a special group registration link at https://www.tesol.org/convention-2022/registration/group-registration 

Groups can be mixed with different types of membership and registration rates.  Group registration fees can be paid in one payment or separately, but there needs to be one main contact person registering for everyone in the group and receiving the invoice. The group main contact may continue to add and pay for more registrations until the Convention starts. Please send any questions about group registration to conventions@tesol.org. 

How can I register using a purchase order? 

TESOL accepts purchase orders as a form of payment until 15 March 2022. When registering with PO, please make sure you have the PO number and/or the PO document available to attach to your registration.  If you do not have the document ready at the time of registration, you can email a copy to conventions@tesol.org. Registrants registering with a purchase order should forward invoices to and follow up with their employer to ensure timely payment. The full payment must be received by 1 April 2022 or the registration will be canceled. 

Unpaid in-person registrants will be unable to receive their badge or registration materials until full payment is made. 

To request TESOL’s W-9, please email your request to conventions@tesol.org. 

How can I make a hotel reservation? 

TESOL has negotiated special group rates at select hotels. You can find these hotels at https://www.tesol.org/convention-2022/hotel-travel/hotel-rates-reservations. The TESOL negotiated hotel rate can only be obtained by making your reservation when you register for the Convention. Hotel reservation is the final step of your registration process. This rate is not available if you contact the hotel directly. Reservations at the TESOL rate must be made by 2 March 2022.

Will we receive a certificate for our presentation if we present? 

TESOL will send all presenters a link to print or save a presenter’s certificate. TESOL does not plan to have a paper certificate available at the in-person Convention. 

Will we receive a certificate of attendance?

TESOL will send all attendees a link to print or save a certificate of attendance. TESOL does not plan to have a paper certificate available at the in-person Convention. 

How can I request for letter of invitation to use with my US Visa application?

You can submit your request for letter of invitation at https://tesolorg.wufoo.com/forms/m1u0v0c607625kh/. Please make sure to include name as it appears on your passport and address as it appears on your visa application.  For general visa information, visit the U.S. State Department website.

When or how might the in-person Convention be canceled?

TESOL would follow any government mandated shutdowns. In the instance that we are unable to hold the in-person Convention, all registrations will be converted to the virtual Convention.  

Who is authorized to sell an attendee list?

TESOL makes available through its authorized vendor InFocus a list of Convention attendees. Any other companies contacting you are not authorized to rent a Convention attendee list. 

What if I don’t want my information sold?

TESOL values your privacy and only sells information of those attendees who authorized us to do so. During the registration process you were asked if TESOL could make your information available. You can change your authorization by logging back into your registration.

Virtual Convention

What will be presented virtually?

All 4 keynote presentations and 40+ selected sessions will be livestreamed from the in-person Convention to the virtual Convention audience. A full list of the livestreamed sessions will be available in January. All livestreamed sessions will be recorded and available on the virtual Convention platform the next day. In addition, there will be more than 200 prerecorded presentations that you can access on your own time. Access for the virtual platform will be available for 30 days starting on 22 March. 

Will the presentations be live or recorded? 

There will be a mix of both live and prerecorded presentations.  Some prerecorded presentations will have scheduled live chat where you can interact with the presenters and ask questions or make comments. The full list of sessions will be available in January. 

Will livestreamed sessions be recorded for playback?

Yes, all livestreamed sessions will be recorded and available on the virtual Convention platform.

Can we get a certificate for our presentation if we present?

TESOL will send all presenters link to print or save a presenter’s certificate. 

Will we receive a certificate of attendance?

TESOL will send all attendees a link to print or save a certificate of attendance. 

When will I get access to the virtual Convention platform?

Registrants will have access to the virtual Convention platform about one week before the first day of Convention. 

For how long will I be able to access the sessions? 

Registrants will have at least 30 days to access the virtual Convention platform.