TESOL Statements & Action


TESOL International Association supports its members, the English language teaching profession, and multilingual learners of English (MLEs) across the globe through its mission to advocate on issues that matter to our communities.  

Our mission and our values guide us on any advocacy action TESOL takes or resources(s) that TESOL provides. To aide and guide TESOL in mission-driven advocacy, we follow both the board-endorsed Action Tree and Policy Priorities in our decision-making. 

As indicated when we apply our decision making tools, we have several resources and avenues for action that we have made publicly available for advocacy no matter the reach or scope of the issue. These include: 

  1. Public Comment. When current events impact our mission and values, TESOL will make public comment to advance and support the ELT profession and the MLEs and families our members serve. These comments could be in support of policies or events or in opposition to issues that harm our communities. These comments will appear in TESOL News and shared on social media. 

  2. Position Statements. TESOL provides position statements in support of ELT and MLEs across several key areas, including teacher education, immigration, social responsibility, and the ELT profession in general. These statements provide ELT professionals and policy makers a valuable and TESOL board-approved resource for advocacy efforts. All TESOL Position Statements will appear on TESOL’s Position Statements page. 

  3. Advocacy Action. TESOL supports both policy initiatives in the United States at the federal and state levels through grassroots campaigns for fellow advocates to raise their voice on a variety of issues. TESOL’s Advocacy Action Center also supports petitions that elevate the importance and role of ELT for the education field, learners, schools, and communities. 

  4. Advancing Resources. TESOL and its members comprise a wealth of knowledge, research, and practice in support of fellow educators, learners, and communities across a variety of contexts and situations. When appropriate, TESOL will consolidate and make available these resources to support educators and MLEs through our Advocacy Tools & Resources.

  5. Membership Support. As a truly global association, with members in over 150 countries, TESOL recognizes that member needs vary across the world. To support the diversity of membership and advocacy needs, TESOL supports a variety of initiatives, including but not limited to the Global Membership Fund, as well as global advocacy resources and support to affiliates.  

Additionally, TESOL provides an Advocacy Action Request portal for any needs not addressed or for any developing or changing circumstances that impact the ELT profession and the MLEs we serve. TESOL will review all requests in context of its Action Tree and Policy Priorities and will respond within 4 business days.

Submit an Advocacy Action Request

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