E 65 - “The world comes to TESOL!” (with Dr. Debra Suarez)

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Debra Suarez, President of TESOL International Association, to explore what’s in store for TESOL 2025 and reflect on the evolving landscape of English language teaching.

From AI in ELT and translanguaging to teacher advocacy and building global communities of practice, this conversation is packed with insights for educators preparing for the convention and beyond. Dr. Suarez shares her inspiring career journey, discusses the importance of adapting—not transplanting—teaching methodologies, and gives us a sneak peek at her keynote: The Joy of TESOL. 🎉

Whether you’re a TESOL veteran or a first-time attendee, this episode offers practical advice on maximizing your conference experience and making meaningful professional connections.

💡 Reflect with us! What are you most looking forward to at TESOL 2025? How do you cultivate joy in your teaching practice?

📢 Are you attending TESOL 2025? Come say hi! We’ll be presenting “Pause and Reflect: Building a Sustainable, Personalized PD Plan” on March 19th at 10 AM in Bixby Ballroom 4 at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown Hotel.

Let us know what sessions you’re excited about! Tag us on social media and join the conversation.

📌 Resources Mentioned

• TESOL International Advocacy page

• Episode 18 - Book Review: Race, Empire, and English Language Teaching

• Episode 53 - Teachers as Advocates: You can do it too!  (with Rosemary Colón)

• Episode 54 - 2024 TESOL Special: Maximizing Your Conference Experience

• Blog Post - Maximizing Your Conference Experience: From Uptake to Output

• Reflective Practice Tools

💡 This episode is sponsored by Ellii (formerly ESL Library). Check out their offerings atellii.com.

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