Sunshine State TESOL of Florida is proud to be the professional organization that represents everyone interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages in Florida. The theme for our 2008 Annual Conference in Daytona Beach, Florida is "Riding the Wave of Success." We invite everyone, whether involved with migrant education, adult education, public or private school ESOL, or intensive English or university or community college academic English programs, or whether involved with teacher training, authoring textbooks and teaching materials, or ESL research to share their experiences, materials, and findings with others by sending us a proposal by the March 20, 2008 deadline. This year all proposals will be submitted through this website. See the link below. Let's ride the wave of success!
- Workshops: These 90 minute sessions emphasize participant involvement rather than lecture. Topics might include trying out such things as new ways of assessing students, new approaches to lesson planning, new ways of using classroom materials, new ways for training teachers, new ways to teach academic skills, or new approaches to classroom based research,.
- Demonstrations: These 45 minute sessions range from publisher presentations of new series to teacher demonstrations of approaches that they have found successful with English language learners. The focus is on showing how something is done with handouts and visual aids.
- Papers: In these 45 minute sessions, the presenter summarizes personal research findings on a wide range of topics, including cultural contrasts, policy issues, learner characteristics, literacy skills, assessment problems, technology applications, and pedagogy. Although it is called a paper, it is not read. Rather, it is presented much as a teacher might teach a class using notes while describing and discussing what the presenter has done or discovered. It includes handouts and visual aids. About 30 minutes of presentation is followed by 10 to 15 minutes of questions and discussion with the audience.
- Panel Discussions: In these 45 minute sessions a panel of three or four present their findings for or their experience with an issue of interest to ESOL teachers. One acts as the moderator introducing both the topic and the participants, then delegating to the various panelists different aspects of the discussion. Intermixed with or at the end of the presentation are questions fielded from the audience.
- Technology Demonstrations: These 45 minute sessions focus on how technology and in particular the Internet can be used to enhance language instruction. This is a time for teachers to share and demonstrate materials they have developed and to give tips to others. The presenters must supply their own laptop and projector. Wi-fi access to the Internet will be available. Those who do not need computers and the Internet for their presentation, should propose a paper or demonstration.
- Each individual or publisher may submit only one proposal.
- All presenters, including members of panels, must register for and pay for the conference.
- All presenters must confirm the day and time of their presentation within 10 days of acceptance.
- Those who do not plan to attend the conference should not submit proposals.
- Presenters who for unforeseen reasons cannot attend the conference must contact the program chair before the conference begins.
Proposals
- Title: Limit to 11 words or less. As you carefully consider the wording for your title, remember that it is the most visible advertisement to attract an audience. It is what people see in the program and on the sign outside your presentation room. Make it attactive and interesting.
- Proposal summary: Limit to 50 words or less. The summary appears in the program book and supplements your title. Indicate what question of interest to SSTESOL members you will answer and how it will be answered. Please double check spelling and grammar.
- Proposal abstract: Limit to 300 words or less. This will be seen only by those who are deciding whether or not to accept your proposal. Carefully pay attention to the criteria given below as you prepare your proposal.
- Biography of each presenter: Limit to 25 words for each.
Evaluation of Proposals
- Appropriateness and significance of the topic for ESL teachers in Florida
- Well focused topic appropriate to the time limits of the presentation type
- Clear indication of the manner of presentation indicating a clear and well-organized presentation
- Clearly stated purpose and basis for the presentation (i.e. What question of interest to ESL teachers is being answered? Why is this question interesting? What is the source of the information? How was the information gathered and analyzed? How will this information be shared with the participants? What are the applications or implications?)
To Submit a Proposal
- Bring up the proposal form on your browser.
- Copy and paste a copy to your word processor. (To copy, go to edit>select all on your toolbar. Then hold down ctrl and c on your keyboard. Bring up your word processor, click your cursor where you want the document to be and hold down ctrl and v on your keyboard.)
- Complete the form, save, and then attach it to an email message to Sandra Hancock shm@ufl.edu
Contacts:
Conference Chair: Ann Jackman jackmana@palmbeach.k12.fl.us
Program Chair: Sandra Hancock shm@ufl.edu
Registration: Charlotte Kelso sunshine_tesol@hotmail.com
Publisher/Exhibits: Kisha Bryan kbryan@ufl.edu
Hotel: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort at Ocean Walk Village, 100 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Please call the Hilton reservation office at 866-536-8477 before April 21, 2008 and ask for the Sunshine State TESOL of Florida Group Conference Rate of $129 single, double, $139 triple, $149 quad. If registering online, our conference code is SSTFL
