We need you! Be a presenter at the 2011 Convention!

Why not share your knowledge, build your C.V., and have a great time! (or win the $3,500 scholarship - keep reading!)

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

2nd MEXTESOL Regional Convention

It's a Small EFL World After All

Tampico, Tamaulipas March 11th and 12th, 2011

Deadline for submitting presentation proposals is Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Send proposals to: lorozco@atsli.edu.mx

The Tampico MEXTESOL chapter intends to make its Regional Convention the most important event for EFL teachers in the northeastern region of Mexico.

This event should become the central element in the professional development of its members and non-members. This convention is intended to provide a forum for professionals to improve their knowledge and understanding in the field of English as a Foreign Language. All those interested in participating in our convention are cordially invited and positively encouraged to submit proposals.

Who can present?

Teachers, teachers’ trainers, candidates to Master and Ph.D. degrees, researchers, EFL student teachers, program administrators, materials and curriculum developers. Professionals in fields such as education, linguistics, psychology, sociology, translation and communication are also very welcome. We would love to receive submissions from anyone in the region interested in presenting.

What topics are encouraged?

Proposals on classroom practices, problems and solutions in EFL and teaching, connections between teaching and learning, language interaction, integration of skills, similarities applied to language learning, technology supporting teaching – learning processes, linguistics and activities which improve the language skills, outcomes of own research or investigation are solicited. Interactive and innovative formats for presenting information to participants are positively encouraged.

What types of proposals are possible?

Six types of proposals can be submitted:

1. workshops
2. demonstrations
3. paper presentations
4. poster presentations
5. commercial presentations
6. plenary presentations

You are welcome to submit a maximum of two proposals.

1) Workshop (60 minutes)
A workshop has very little lecturing by the presenter; the emphasis is on the participants’ activity, which is carefully structured by the presenter. The presenter works with the group, helping participants solve a problem or develop a specific teaching technique. Research findings can be presented in this way. If a subject cannot be covered in a single workshop, then two workshops running concurrently should be suggested – for example a workshop on Technology in the classroom.

2) Demonstration (60 minutes)
In a demonstration, most of the time is used for showing, rather than telling, a technique for teaching or testing. Normally, the presenter’s statement of the theory underlying the technique takes no more than five minutes.

3) Paper Presentation (60 minutes)
Presenters use their time to explain their recent research or area of work. The speaker talks for around 20 minutes and 10 minutes of questions and answers are suggested.

4) Poster Presentation (60 minutes)A self-explanatory exhibit that allows for informal discussion with participants. Exhibits are set up during the hour before the session and dismantled in the hour afterward. Students and graduating students are especially encouraged to apply for the poster session, which could serve as an important and interactive forum for sharing your work and receiving feedback. A space for poster presentations is provided and presenters will need to be available for questions and comments for one hour during the convention.

5)Commercial Presentation (60 minutes)
This category is exclusively reserved for any editorial, school or institution interested in presenting their work as well as an academic interest.

6) Plenary (60 minutes)
A fundamental and key focus of the conference, the plenary is a time when all the conference participants are present. Theoretical topics are presented and discussed by the plenary speaker. There is a limited intereaction with the audience, although a short question and answer session may be included at the end of the session. Normally, plenary presentations are by invitation only, however, we are encouraging people to consider themselves for this role.

In all of the above proposals, the presenter often has handouts, and may also use audiovisual aids.

DEADLINES:
All proposals should be received by 6pm (central time) Monday 21st February 2011.

Proposals after this time cannot be considered. The Academic Committee will meet and decide which proposals are successful using a bling scoring system. People submitting proposals will know the outcome by Monday 28th February 2011.

When a proposal is received, we will send you an e-mail confirming receipt of the proposal. If you don't receive this e-mail, then it's important to contact us in order to check that it has arrived.

HOW TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL
Parts of a Proposal
All proposals should have four parts:

1. a 10-word title
2. a 50-word abstract
3. your 50-word biodata
4. a one-page session description

This information will appear in the Regional Convention promotional material so they should be carefully written and proofread.

Title
The title will
- accurately reflect the content.
- be clear to the intended audience.
- contain no more than 10 words.

Sample Titles
- Digital Storytelling: Blended Learning at its Best (7 words)
- Communicative exams with a storyline. (5 words)
- Cooperative Learning in ESL (4 words)

Abstract
The abstract describing the session will
- not exceed 50 words.
- not contain references to published works.
- be carefully edited and proofread.
- be written to attract the most appropriate audience to the presentation.

Sample Abstract
CALLing ESL
Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), although widely proomoted in education textbooks and programs, is often problematic for ESL students and teachers. How can ESL teachers distinguish between ineffective and effective CALL activities? How does culture influence CALL? (39 words)

Session Description
The session description will
-not exceed 300 words
-have a clearly stated purpose and point of view
-include supporting details and examples
-use an appropriate format (workshop, poster presentation, etc.)
-show an appropriate amount of material for the allotted time.
-demonstrate careful editing and proofreading.

Awards
Presenters at the 2nd MEXTESOL convention are encouraged to submit their work for consideration in the XXIst MEXTESOL National Convention to be held in Puebla. To support local talent, Tampico MEXTESOL will be offering a scholarship to one person who presents at our regional convention and then goes on to present at the Puebla conference too. The value of this scholarship is $3,500.

Submission Process
Please take this opportunity to participate and to help others. We really want to receive your submission. We can offer help and support to anyone who wants to participate, but maybe feels that they don't have the skills to present.

Please send an e-mail with the information above stating what type of proposal you are submitting (i.e. workshop, poster presentation, commercial presentation, etc.) to: lorozco@edu.mx