History of KOTESOL (International) Conferences

KOTESOL has hosted an annual autumn international conference since our founding in 1993 (and even earlier, through predecessor organizations).

In early years, the autumn conference was titled simply "National Conference." We re-labeled it "International Conference" (short form: "IC") to represent the high level of international flavor: over 20% of our conference presenters fly in for the conference!

In 2006 KOTESOL began our series of spring national conferences to complement the autumn classic. See our history page at https://koreatesol.org/content/history-kotesol-national-conferences

Covid has impacted society, teaching, and teacher associations significantly -

• the 2020 International Conference, originally scheduled for Autumn 2020, was postponed to Spring 2021 and shifted from an on-site (face-to-face) environment to an Online-only setting,
• and the 2021 national conference was shifted to Autumn 2021.
   

This is anticipated to be a permanent scheduling shift, with International Conferences in late Spring, although KOTESOL hopes to move towards hybrid (online & f2f) conferencing approaches in the future.

Regional and chapter conferences (hosted by local chapters) have a history extending back into the mid-1990s. Regional, chapter, and national conferences (since 2006) are not listed here.

Find more details, including links to past conference pages and program books, from our conferences menu at https://koreatesol.org/conferences

 

History of KOTESOL International Conferences

2023 (April 29-30)
Hybrid (Sookmyung Women's University & Online)
"Advancing Collaboration: Exchanges Among Scholars, Instructors, and Students"
200 Presentations
560 Participants (430 in-person, 130 online) representing more than 30 countries

2022 (Apr 30 - May 1)
Online (Eventzil.la, Zoom, Discord)
"More Than Words: Teaching for a Better World"
145 Presentations
304 participants representing about 35 countries

2021 (Feb. 19-28, 2021)
Online (Eventzil.la, Zoom, Discord, Padlet)
"Re-envisioning ELT Altogether, All Together"
156 Presentations
255 Attendees

2020 (Postponed due to COVID-19)

2020 AsiaTEFL Conference, KOTESOL as a co-host

2019 (Oct. 12-13)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Advancing ELT: Blending Disciplines, Approaches, and Technologies"
200 Presentations
800 Attendees

2018 (Oct. 13-14)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Focus on Fluency"
213 Presentations 
870 Attendees

2017 (Oct 21-22) [a Pan Asian Consortium (PAC) conference]
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Why Are We Here? Analogue Learning in a Digital Era"
225 Presentations
740 Attendees

2016 (Oct 15-16)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Shaping the Future: With 21st Century Skills"
197 Presentations
860 Attendees

2015 (Oct 9-11)
COEX, Seoul
"Transitions in Education--Transitions in ELT"
163 Presentations
750 Attendees

2014 (Oct 3-5)  [with Korea Association of Foreign Language Educators - KAFLE]
COEX, Seoul
"Embracing Change: Blazing New Frontiers through Language Teaching"
220 Presentations
1,000 Attendees

2013 (Oct. 12-13)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Exploring the Road Less Traveled: From Practice to Theory"
225 Presentations
1,050 Attendees

2012 (Oct. 20-21)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Perfect Score: Methodologies, Technologies, and Communities of Practice"
242 Presentations
1,100 Attendees

2011 (Oct. 15-16)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Pushing our Paradigms; Connecting with Culture"
237 Presentations
1,250 Attendees

2010 (Oct. 16-17)  [PAC 2010 Conference]
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Advancing ELT in the Global Context"
210 Presentations
1,557 Attendees

2009 (Oct. 24-25)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Pursuing Professional Excellence in ELT"
192 Presentations
1,368 Attendees

2008 (Oct. 25-26)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Responding to a Changing World"
169 Presentations
1,190 Attendees

2007 (Oct. 27-28)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Energizing ELT: Challenging Ourselves, Motivating Our Students"
186 Presentations
1,050 Attendees

2006 (Oct. 28-29)
Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul
"Advancing ELT: Empowering Teachers, Empowering Learners"
206 Presentations
910 Attendees

2005 (Oct. 15-16)
Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul
"From Concept to Context: Trends and Challenges"
152 Presentations
920 Attendees

2004 (Oct. 9-10)
Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul
"Expanding Horizons: Techniques and Technology in ELT"
149 Presentations
830 Attendees

2003 (Oct. 19-20)
Seoul Education Training Institute (SETI)
"Gateways to Growth: Exploring ELT Resources"
117 Presentations
800 Attendees

2002 (Oct. 5-6)
Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul
"Crossroads: Generational Change in ELT in Asia"
138 Presentations
445 Attendees

2001 (Oct. 13-14)
Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul
"The Learning Environment: The Classroom and Beyond"
133 Presentations
500 Attendees   

2000 (Sept 30 - Oct 1)
Kyungpook National University, Daegu
"Casting the Net: Diversity in Language and Learning"
146 Presentations
500 Attendees

1999 (Oct. 1-3)  [PAC 2 Conference]
Olympic Parktel, Seoul
"Teaching English: Asian Contexts and Culture"
195 Presentations
870 Attendees

1998 (Oct. 17-18)
Kyunghee University, Seoul
"Advancing Our Profession: Perspectives on Teacher Development and Education"
117 Presentations
700 Attendees

1997 (Oct. 3-5)
Kyongju Educational & Cultural Center
"Technology in Education: Communicating Beyond Traditional Networks"
123 Presentations
700 Attendees

1996 (Oct. 25-27)
Sejong University, Seoul
"Reflections on Practice"
99 Presentations
700 Attendees

1995 (Oct. 27-29)
Yonsei University, Seoul
"Into the World through Language and Culture"
70 Presentations
650 Attendees

1994 (Oct. 14-16)
Sogang University, Seoul
"Where the Past Meets the Future: Preparing the EFL Learner for the 21st Century"
50 Presentations
550 Attendees  

1993 (Oct. 16-17)
Wonkwang University, Iri (Iksan)
"Narrowing the Gap Between Theory and Practice"
38 Presentations
200 Attendees

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