If you Really must Go to that TEFL Conference…

Posted on January 29, 2009
Filed Under Attending conferences, Teacher training |

Alex ‘TEFLTastic‘ Case is fast emerging as my favourite TEFL blogger. Where the man finds time to sleep is beyond me, such is his prolific rate, not only of writing new articles but also for producing materials and teaching ideas that he freely shares on his blog. He has just added a great list of advice for those attending TESOL conferences. I felt compelled to comment on his list, so much so that I felt a blog post of my own emerging. Along with his fifteen tips, I’ve added the following:

- Find out if the presenter is sponsored by a publisher. If they are, they’re probably selling you a book.

- If someone is presenting research they’ve conducted, it will be very, very boring. You have been warned and only have yourself to blame.

- Plan on attending a workshop at least one in every two sessions. Time tends to pass quicker and you generally come away with something you can use in class.

- People from the most exotic locations give the crappest sessions. I have no idea why this is.

- Jeremy Harmer is quite entertaining, as is Scott Thornbury. Hugh Dellar, despite his ‘Innovations’ being worth a mere 67.1% by ELT Journal is another who has the whole presentation thing down to a fine art, as is Michael Swan.

- I avoid ‘conference dinners’ like the plague so can’t comment, but can suggest that avoiding them like the plague has always done me fine.

Please add any advice to this list below. Also read forum legend Golightly’s account of attending a conference in Issue 2 of the ELT World Journal.

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