Each Day and Everywhere - Advocacy Happens
Advocacy has many forms but at its core for every educator, every professional, every TESOLer, is making our world a better place. From policy to communities, to institutions and personal care, we invite you to take inspiration and share the stories of advocacy that happen each day and every where across this wonderful world to advance the English language teaching profession and serve multilingual learners of English in every context.
2025 TESOL Outstanding Advocate Honor Award
Özgehan Uştuk's
Dr. Uştuk worked at an institution in Turkey that primarily serves first-generation college students aspiring to become language educators. Given the country's disadvantaged economy, the discriminatory visa policies that his students faced, and their underprivileged socioeconomic status, the young TESOL educators he worked with lacked opportunities to develop their international competence through travel or study abroad.
Since 2014, Dr. Uştuk voluntarily managed an informal youth group called Teachers for the Future. By 2023, he facilitated over 100 mobility opportunities for undergraduate and graduate-level educators who otherwise could not afford such experiences. His initiative assisted first-generation college students and educators to find and apply for funded mobilities that were relevant to their emerging teaching philosophies and projective agencies.
Through his Teachers for the Future initiative, Dr. Uştuk systematically helped many educators fulfill their dreams of participating in Erasmus+ mobilities in different European countries over a decade. His dedication to empowering underprivileged students and fostering their professional growth demonstrates his outstanding advocacy for equitable access to international opportunities.
Story of Impact
Advocating for Female English Language Teaching Professionals in Cameroon
Hear directly from recipients of the impact on the advocacy work "aimed at raising the female English teachers' self-esteem, creating an opportunity for teachers to network, share information, and support each other to achieve their full potential".
Check back regularly for more stories from these educators.
A World Inside Another
Supporting International Students in Delaware
Formed by a former student of the ELI program, who came back to pursue her master's in TESOL, the ELI's Women's Group supports and empowers future generations.
Affiliate Webinar: Stories from South America, Africa, and the Middle East
Global Advocacy Efforts
Webinar, 25 January 2025
This interactive panel of educators from several countries showcase diverse advocacy projects aimed at enhancing English language teaching in global classrooms, schools, and communities.
Take your story to the U.S. Members of Congress
Take Action
Register for the 2025 TESOL Advocacy Action Days to speak with your Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill and visit our Advocacy Action Center for specific U.S. policy updates.
TESOL Advocacy Assistance
TESOL wants to help you become an advocate in your community. Request advocacy assistance if you need specific help.
View Advocacy Assistance Options Request Advocacy Assistance
Submit Your Story of Impact
Have your own story of advocacy you'd like to share! Submit your own story for a chance to be featured on this page!