Sustain and support TESOL's future.
Our Mission
TESOL International Association advances professional expertise in English language teaching to speakers of other languages in multilingual contexts worldwide through professional learning, research, standards, and advocacy.
Our Vision
TESOL International Association is the trusted global community for knowledge and expertise in English language teaching.
Teacher
TESOL International Association is the largest community dedicated to English language teaching.
Who We Are
Our community of more than 10,000 English language professionals located around the world includes:
- Language instructors, professors, and teachers.
- Teacher educators and trainers.
- Program administrators, coordinators, and supervisors.
- Students.
Our staff teams up with member volunteers from around the world to advance the knowledge and expertise of English language teaching professionals.
What We Do
We serve the community by providing the programs, tools, and resources needed to advance expertise in English language teaching.
Learn about TESOL's Strategic Direction Learn about TESOL membership
Our Values
Professionalism
Offering excellence in standards, research, and practices that enhance English language teaching and learning.
Respect
Advocating for equity, diversity, inclusion, access, multilingualism, multiculturalism, and language rights.
Integrity
Committing to ethical and transparent action.
Lifelong Learning
Enabling a culture of continuous learning.
Our Commitments
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
As we journey together to be better colleagues, friends, and stewards of this community we are building, we commit to seeking diverse and inclusive participation within the field and upholding antiracist and antidiscrimination policies and practices for ourselves and our global partners and sponsors. Read our full commitment and track our journey
Innovation
We seek to seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and enhance the user experience.
Sustainability
We aim to positively impact and minimize harm to the environment.
Work Culture
Key tenets of the interactions between colleagues, between supervisors and subordinates, between volunteers and staff, and among volunteers are mutual respect, collegial and constructive communication, honesty, and personal responsibility. View our full code of conduct.
Communication
When communicating with our constituents and partners, we strive for clear, factual, transparent, and responsive messaging.
Educator Rights
We believe teachers have the right to a safe work environment where they are compensated commensurate with their expertise and education. We stand in support of English language education and join with organizations and coalitions to advocate for teacher rights.
Support TESOL
Share your knowledge with others.
Put your products and services in front of the profession.
We have more than 200 leaders serving on more than 40 ways throughout the year. No matter the commitment you can make we can help you grow your network and build your leadership skills.
Contribute to best practices and research in English language teaching.
Advocate for the English language teaching field and our learners.
For over 50 years, TESOL has been advancing the expertise of English language professionals. The development of TESOL began in 1963 when a small group met during the annual conference of the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA) to discuss the idea for a more specialized organization for teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
The first conference on the teaching of ESOL took place in Tucson, Arizona in 1964, attracting more than 700 participants--far more than expected.
In March 1966, at the third annual conference, a constitution and bylaws were adopted and Teachers of English to Speaker of Other Languages (TESOL) was created. Throughout its history, TESOL has been led by a distinguished group of presidents and volunteer leaders. Each year TESOL celebrates Founders' Day on 17 March.
