Dr. David E. Shaffer is an early member of Korea TESOL and a long-term resident of Gwangju, where his career has been as a professor on the English Department faculty at Chosun University (1976-2016). He holds a PhD in linguistics (theoretical) but has done much of his more recent research in applied linguistics and SLA, as well as in TESOL, in which he holds advanced certificates. In addition to research, Dr. Shaffer’s writings include books and articles on English teaching and learning as well as on Korean language, culture, and poetry.
As Publications Committee chair, his main duties involve the production of The English Connection (where he is production editor), the Korea TESOL Journal (where he is associate editor), and the KOTESOL Proceedings (where he is editor-in-chief), as well as overseeing publication of KOTESOL News and Happenings and Scribes Square.
Over the years, Dr. Shaffer has served as KOTESOL president (2017-2019), first vice-president (2015-2017), and national treasurer (2001-2009). He has served on a number of national committees and chaired several, including the Publications Committee (2013-2017 & 2019-present). At the chapter level, he served as president (2009-2017) and currently serves as Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter vice-president. He has also been active in numerous other ELT organizations.
Dr. Shaffer is an executive director of AsiaTEFL and former chairman of the board at the Gwangju International Center, where he presently holds the position of editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine Gwangju News. Complementing his KOTESOL service awards, Dr. Shaffer has been conferred the Republic of Korea’s Order of Merit for Service, an award usually reserved for Korean nationals.
LinkedIn: David E. Shaffer
Academia.edu: David Shaffer
