News
Annual Business Meeting and Constitutional Amendments
KOTESOL’s annual business meeting (ABM) will be held on Sunday, October 13, at 4:15, following the closing ceremony of the international conference. Reports on KOTESOL’s past year will be given, and election results will be announced.
At the ABM, proposed amendments to the constitution and by-laws may be voted on. As any proposed change to the KOTESOL constitution or by-laws must be made available, with endorsements, at least 30 days prior to the vote [for details, see Constitution and By-laws], we ask that any proposal be sent to president@koreatesol.org by August 30 for posting...
By Webeditor President on August 18, 2019 - 2:29pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreDr. Farrell Initiates Reflective Practice Award
Dr. Thomas Farrell has created an annual award for reflective practice among Korea TESOL members:
Thomas Farrell Reflective Language Teacher Award.
The award is for the promotion of reflective practice and reflective inquiry, especially in Korea and in relation to the Korean educational context. Before relocating to his present position at Brock University in Canada, Dr. Farrell spent his early career as a university instructor in Seoul, beginning 40 years ago.
The award winner will receive
ㅡ Four (4) autographed books by Thomas Farrell on reflective practice...
KOTESOL's Non-Discrimination Policy
In addition to our newly created Code of Conduct, Korea TESOL has in place a Non-Discrimination Policy. As it is already more than two years old, we thought it would be useful to remind our members and the community of practice of its existance.
The Korea TESOL Non-Discrimination Policy can be accessed and downloaded at
https://koreatesol.org/content/non-discrimination-policy
David E. Shaffer, Korea TESOL President
By Webeditor President on July 24, 2019 - 1:34am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreKorea TESOL Mid-Year Update: 2019
Marching Onward
KOTESOL Marches Onward (Update of Activities: January ㅡ June 2019)
This first half of 2019 has been wonderful for Korea and for KOTESOL. The weather has been beautiful for hosting a spring full of chapter workshops across the peninsula, chapter conferences in three corners of the nation, and just recently our national conference in Jeonju. KOTESOL works hard to bring to its members informative, top-quality conferencing events that lead to the strengthening of learning in the EFL classroom, and to do it at as little cost to its members as possible.
Our...
By Webeditor President on July 24, 2019 - 12:17am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreKOTESOL Code of Conduct
Following the trend of the times for organizations such as ours and the decrease in filtering that is being observed in SNS as well as face-to-face communications, Korea TESOL has found it advantageous to create a Code of Conduct, approved by the National Council, to guide everyone in communications and other interactions with Korea TESOL and its members at any of its events ㅡ conventional or online.
Though I am confident in the conduct of our Korea TESOL membership, it is still useful to familiarize oneself with this Code of Conduct, as it sets forth not only unacceptable behavior...
By Webeditor President on July 23, 2019 - 10:34pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreNational Council Meeting Scheduled
The next KOTESOL National Council Meeting has been scheduled for June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The location is the Eric Reynolds facility in Daejeon, directly across the street from the Daejeon Bus Terminal (Willow Counseling Center, 8th floor, Big Plus building).
Travel claim processing from 10:00 a.m.
By Webeditor President on May 30, 2019 - 11:03pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreDiversity Committee Formed
In its efforts to promote inclusiveness and strengthen diversity within Korea TESOL as an teachers' organization, the National Council approved the creation of an ad hoc Diversity Committee.
The committee is tasked with discussing and proposing actionable means by which KOTESOL can increasingly be welcoming to all EFL professionals.
Luis Caballero has been selected as the Committee's chair. Luis is a foreign language instructor at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). He serves as the Program director for the 2019 International Conference. Luis has...
By Webeditor President on May 30, 2019 - 10:55pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreK. Kelley Receives Service Award
This year's National Conference in Jeonju (May 25) saw the awarding of a KOTESOL Career Service Award. It was bestowed upon Kathleen Kelley by the KOTESOL President. Kathleen will soon be returning to the United States to take up a position in Pennsylvania.
During her time in Korea, Kathleen's service to KOTESOL included Busan-Gyeongnam Chapter president, 2018 International Conference Committee chair and 2017 co-chair, and at present, Publicity Committee, a position that she has held for several years.
We shall miss the service that Kathleen has provided in "Teachers Helping...
By Webeditor President on May 30, 2019 - 10:12pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read morePrivacy Policy Adopted
A Korea TESOL Policy on Personal/Private Information (KOTESOL Privacy Policy) was adopted by the National Council at our March 23 executive meeting.
Korea TESOL respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to our website, and is committed to protecting your personal information in a form that is accurate, confidential, secure, and private. This Privacy Policy applies to our membership and conference attendee’s records, users of our family of KOTESOL-operated websites (e.g., koreatesol.org), social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), and mobile apps and hardware and...
By Webeditor President on May 9, 2019 - 5:20pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreNational Council Meeting
Our spring National Council meeting date has been set:
March 23rd (Saturday)
ㅡ Location: Seoul, Sookmyung Women's University, Injae-gwan (인재관 / Professional Building), Room 106 (Conference Room, 1F)
ㅡ Time: 10:30 to hopefully not later than 4:00. (Travel claim submission before 10:30.)
ㅡ Council Member Report Submission: March 19, please (at the latest).
Remember that the Seoul Regional Conference will be on the day following the Council meeting. Please consider attending the conference also.
I hope that all National Council members will be able to...
By Webeditor President on March 13, 2019 - 4:10pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreWelcoming the Year of the Pig
The Year of the Pig is upon us.
A new year is dawning (for the second time in as many months). The traditional beginning of the year in Korea has long been the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Pig, according to the oriental zodiac, and as the traditional New Year’s greeting goes, we hope that you receive many New Year’s blessings (새해 복 많이 받으세요).
While the Year of the Pig comes around every dozen years, it is only once in its 60-year cycle that this year, the Year of the Golden Pig, visits us, making 2019 an especially auspicious year. We hope that the coming year...
By Webeditor President on February 3, 2019 - 11:16am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreMemorial Thank-You
Korea TESOL and Daejeon-Chungcheong Chapter held a memorial service for a prominent member, Mitzi Sarah Kaufman, on January 26th at Woosong University in Daejeon.
We thank the scores of people who attended throughout the afternoon for their participation and also thank those who helped with the memorial preparations.
Donations were received for two of Mitzi’s favorite causes and for memorial flowers and supplies. We would like to acknowledge those people here:
Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea (Dding Dong).
Matthew Bachtell*
Bryan Hale*
...
In Memory of Mitzi Kaufman
Mitzi Kaufman: A Legacy of Bravery, Advocacy, and Unwavering Selflessness(1977–2019)
.
On January 11, 2019, Korea TESOL (KOTESOL) lost a prominent member and leader. Mitzi Sarah Kaufman passed away in Daejeon, South Korea. She was a dear friend, a loyal ally, and a passionate teacher to many students and fellow educators. Mitzi truly believed in the power of education as an agent for social change.
Mitzi, a member of the Daejeon-Chungcheong Chapter, has left a lasting impact on KOTESOL at both the national and local levels. Her friends and colleagues remember her for...
By Webeditor President on January 30, 2019 - 3:24pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreWelcome 2019
As I write this, 2018 is quickly coming to an end. The end of a year is often a solemn, even sad, time, but this is certainly not the case for Korea TESOL. The year 2018 has been quite a good year for our organization. We pride ourselves on being a group of “teachers helping teachers,” and I think we have accomplished this in numerous ways.
Our chapters across the country have been very active, holding scores of professional development events and some social events as well. Our SIGs have also been active, especially in online discussions. We have held our biggest conference in...
By Webeditor President on December 31, 2018 - 1:11am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreLeadership Retreat Scheduled for Nov. 25
LEADERSHIP RETREAT ㅡ KOTESOL's annual meeting to chart the course for our association's future is taking place on Sunday, November 25. This confab will introduce and discuss numerous areas of KOTESOL activity, search for ways to make operational improvements, and recruit individuals where needed to make programs happen.
A wide area of activity will be discussed in a format resembling a conference schedule: volunteerism, international conference, membership, publications, chapters, special interest groups (SIGs), website, publicity, and more. (See schedule HERE, PDF print-out...
By Webeditor President on November 11, 2018 - 5:34pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read more2018-19 KOTESOL Election Results
The results of the 2018 Korea TESOL national elections as announced at the annual business meeting following the close of the conference on October 14 are as follows:
President
ㅡ Dr. David Shaffer
First Vice-President
ㅡ James "Jake" Kimball
Second Vice-President
ㅡ Michael Peacock
Secretary
ㅡ Martin Todd
Treasurer
ㅡ John Simmons
International Conference Committee Co-chair
ㅡ Michael Free
Nominations and Elections Committee Chair
ㅡ Maria Lisak
Terms of office are for one year. However, after one...
By Webeditor President on October 17, 2018 - 12:28pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreWishing You a "Happy Chuseok"
Happy Chuseok / 추석 / 秋夕!
Coming upon us is one of the biggest and most traditional of Korean holidays, a family holiday for centuries. I hope that this Chuseok is an enjoyable and meaningful one for everyone in our KOTESOL family. Some of you will be heading to ancestral “hometowns” in the countryside; others will be headed to the family head’s home in the big city; still others will be taking family trips in and outside of Korea. Safe journeys to all of you.
Chuseok is traditionally a time to lift one's head toward the largest full moon of the autumn sky and pray for a...
By Webeditor President on September 22, 2018 - 1:12am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreNational Council Business “Meeting”
As an economizing measure, the National Council has decided not to schedule a face-to-face Council meeting this autumn. A number of items of business have arisen that need to be acted on before international conference time, the end of this term. As provided by the Bylaws, these are being handled electronically, and as are all Council meetings, this process is open to KOTESOL members. If you are a KOTESOL member and are interested in the motions to be considered, log in to your account and go to this URL.
August 31, 2018
David E. Shaffer
KOTESOL President
Korea TESOL Mid-Year Update
Interested in what KOTESOL has been doing lately and in what KOTESOL has to offer? The editors of TESOL Affiliate News recently asked me for an affiliate report for their publication. Below is the article submitted, to appear in their second issue this year of Affiliate News. It serves as a brief mid-year update of what KOTESOL has been doing.
KOREA TESOL ON THE GO
Korea TESOL (KOTESOL / Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) is on the go, providing teacher development events throughout the nation and expanding our international cooperation.
...
By Webeditor President on July 22, 2018 - 1:52am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read morePresident's Message -- June
President's Message
By KOTESOL President, Dr. David E. Shaffer
Spring is in full swing across the nation, bringing with it its typical brightness, warmth, and liveliness. The same can be equally said of Korea TESOL. Chapters have held conferences in the north, the southeast, and the southwest. Chapters everywhere are holding meetings and workshops. And one chapter has been the primary force behind this year’s National Conference. KOTESOL chapters have been very much alive this spring, testimony that KOTESOL is very much alive and well. A rough count reveals that nearly 40 KOTESOL...
By Webeditor President on June 13, 2018 - 12:05am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreNational Treasurer Position Opens
Position Filled.
Korea TESOL is looking for a member to serve a National Treasurer for the remainder of the present term. This person would ideally have some previous training and/or experience in financial affairs and have some understanding of the workings of KOTESOL.
The position begins July 1 and runs through October 14. (However, we would hope that this person could also run for election to a full one-year term in the October elections.
For more details or to apply (by MAY 26), please contact President David Shaffer.
Email: president@koreatesol.org // ChosunU@...
The Pass-It-On Challenge
Have you benefitted from KOTESOL? I know I have. KOTESOL has made me a better teacher, a better researcher, a better presenter and a better speaker, a better writer and editor, as well as a better leader, organizer, and administrator. Because I have benefitted so much from KOTESOL, I feel obliged to give back through volunteering my time for a variety of KOTESOL tasks (and through these tasks, I benefit further). I am so happy that I became a KOTESOL member when I did.
I hope you are happy to be a KOTESOL member, too. If that is the case, I encourage you to pass it on – to pass on...
By Webeditor President on April 9, 2018 - 12:46am | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreIt's KOTESOL's Spring -- President's Message
The door is opening, albeit just a crack, unto spring. On the other side of the door is a season budding with opportunities for the KOTESOL English teacher to prime themselves for the new school year. Numerous KOTESOL events will be coming your way: monthly chapter meetings, annual chapter conferences, and the spring national conference!
With all the upcoming events preparing to blossom this spring, it may appear that KOTESOL was dormant during the winter months – but oh, not so. Much was going on behind the scenes to make our spring flower. On the first Saturday in December, the...
By Webeditor President on March 7, 2018 - 10:23pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreRinging In 2018!
2018 is on the doorstep. It is at this juncture that we commonly look back over the passing year, take stock of how it has been for us, and plan for the coming year. We do this for our lives in general, but do we do it as deliberately for our professional lives?
Let us take some downtime at this threshold of a new year to take inventory of our professional performance in 2017. What went well? What didn’t go as well as we would have liked? What can I, what should I, what will I do in the new year to improve myself as an educator?
Many options are available, and many are...
By Webeditor President on December 26, 2017 - 2:36pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreNational Council Meeting Held
The National Council meeting was held in Seoul on December 3rd at Sookmyung Women's University's Injae-gwan. The main actions of the meeting follow:
Standing Committee Chairs Approved
ㅡ Financial Affairs: Dr. Joo-Kyung Park
ㅡ Publications: James F. Kimball
ㅡ Membership: Lindsay Herron
ㅡ International Outreach: Allison Bill
ㅡ Publicity: Kathleen Kelley
ㅡ Technologies: John Phillips
ㅡ Research: Colin Walker
National Conference 2018 Approved
ㅡ Chair: Stewart Gray
ㅡ Date: May 12, 2018
ㅡ Venue: Kangnam University, Yongin...
Podcast Leadership Retreat
Hi Everyone I would like to invite you all to this years leadership retreat. A chance for KOTESOL to plan and organize the projects we will be undertaking in the next year.
If you have any questions you can reach me at peadarcallaghan@gmail.com
By Webeditor President on December 12, 2014 - 4:24pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read more
President's Podcast - August 2014
President's Podcast: "Elections!"
By Webeditor President on August 30, 2014 - 2:42pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreKOTESOL's Annual Summer Skunkworks
Each year some folks in KOTESOL give up a few (or many) hours to upgrade some aspect of KOTESOL.
This year we want to make the opportunity widely known. What piece of KOTESOL would be better if you put a few (or many hours) in during the summer?
see more - http://koreatesol.org/skunkworks
By Webeditor President on July 25, 2014 - 1:59pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read moreTESOL 2014 International Academy on Leadership & Quality Assurance in ELT Organizations
26 – 27 July
Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
Gain practical, research-based ideas, strategies, and tools to help you improve the quality of your ELT organization through in-depth, hands-on workshops led by globally recognized experts in the field.
Participants will earn TESOL International Association’s ELT Leadership Management Certificate (typically only available at TESOL’s convention) at the end of this special two-day event.
Available Workshops (participants will attend 2 of the 3):
K-1: Leadership & Management Fundamentals (... By Webeditor President on July 8, 2014 - 12:08pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read morePodcast January 2014
The president's podcast for January.
By Webeditor President on January 31, 2014 - 7:00pm | 0 Comments | President's Corner |Read more