TESOL’s annual convention is one of the largest gatherings of English language teachers in the world. Whether you have attended the convention before or not, it can be a little overwhelming with so many sessions to choose from, not to mention all the vendors in the Exhibit Hall and social gatherings to attend. Here are some tips from MIDTESOL board members about how to get the most out of attending the convention. We hope they will help you enhance your experience.
- Plan your days! Get the session schedule and highlight what you plan to attend. Choose at least 2-3 for every time frame because the descriptions can be misleading or do not live up to expectations.
- Focus on a few presentations that really interest you. Go for breadth rather than depth.
- Use session types and Interest Section icons in the program to help you make your selections.
- Consider room locations once you’ve chosen sessions that interest you. You might wish to choose rooms that are close together so you don’t arrive late at a session.
- If you are attending with colleagues, don’t go to the same sessions together. Split up. Everyone should agree to take notes and share materials after the conference.
- Take good notes using Evernote and share them with your colleagues.
- Don’t avoid the textbooks and publishers if you have in the past. There are some truly great materials, and the people there really do know our field. You can often walk away with some samples or free books that contain great material for your classes
- Use the TESOL mobile app (Google Play or Apple Store) to view the session schedule on the go. (Leave the heavy program book in your hotel room.) You can also use the application to explore Baltimore, find maps, view the exhibitor’s list, take notes in and see who is attending.
- Search the conference hashtag (#TESOL16) on social media sites like Twitter. It’s a great way to see what other conference attendees are learning in their sessions. Follow people posting at the conference as a way to expand your online network.
- Research the city before you go. Scope out the public transportation options and restaurants near the venue and your hotel. Make plans to go out at least one night with a colleague or friend. If you have the time, plan one offbeat sightseeing excursion. Another board member and I went to the French Impressionist Edgar Degas’ house in New Orleans and it enriched our experience so much!
- Take a water bottle and non-perishable, un-squishable snacks in single serving bags. Some of our favorites are granola bars, nuts, trail mix, and dried fruit (or even an apple from the hotel’s continental breakfast). These foods will withstand being crushed under books in a tote or being knocked around by fellow attendees climbing over everyone to get the last seat in the middle of the row. Also, you won’t miss a session because you are starving or because you had to wait in a really long line at noon. You can wait until an off-peak time to get lunch or dinner. You’ll also avoid paying exorbitant prices at snack stands in the conference center.
- Besides education sessions, be sure to schedule some time for social gatherings like MIDTESOL’s get together. It’s a great way to relax after a busy day of presentations while networking with MIDTESOL members from the Midwest.
We’d love to hear about your experience at this year’s TESOL conference. Tweet us @MIDTESOL or send an email to midtesol@gmail.com with highlights from sessions you attend or tips for other attendees.
