2024 WAESOL Annual Conference: Full Schedule

WAESOL, the Washington state affiliate of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), is a professional, non-profit organization whose purposes are to:

Promote scholarship
Disseminate information related to ESOL
Strengthen instruction, teacher training, and research in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages

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Add a Friday Pre-conference Workshop

Registration October 9th – October 24th:

$105 for WAESOL members
$145 for non-members (Become a member to save!)

Final Week Registration October 25th – November 2nd:

$120 for WAESOL members
$160 for non-members (Become a member to save!)

Registration includes morning refreshments and lunch.
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Meet our 2024 Keynote: Jessica Fagen.

We look forward to seeing you on November 2nd!

10:30am PDT

Enhancing ESL Learning with Music: A Multimodal Approach

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:30am - 11:15am PDT

C-102

Explore how music can enhance language learning in ESL classrooms through engaging activities that improve pronunciation and phonological awareness. This session provides research-backed strategies for integrating music into ESL lessons, addressing both the benefits and practical challenges instructors face.

Speakers

RanJun Wang

Gonzaga University

Roger Wang holds an MA in TESOL and has over 2 years of experience teaching adult ESL to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. His research focuses on multimodal instruction, particularly the use of music as a tool for improving phonological awareness and pronunciation in language... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:30am - 11:15am PDT
C-102

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience Adult Refugee/Immigrant, Dual Language Programs, Bilingual Programs, Teacher Educators

11:30am PDT

U.S. High School English Teachers' Attitudes on ChatGPT in Instruction

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm PDT

C-102

This study explores U.S. high school English teachers' perceptions of integrating ChatGPT in instruction. Survey results show general receptiveness, especially among newer teachers appreciating reduced workloads. However, concerns about accuracy, ethics, and pedagogical quality persist. Addressing these concerns with training and resources is crucial for effective AI integration.

Speakers

Dr. Brandy Simmons

English Teacher, Dupo High School District 196

Dr. Simmons is a dedicated high school English teacher in Southern Illinois and an adjunct instructor at a community college. She received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (2012) and a Master of Arts in Education (2018). Holding a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a focus... Read More →

Dr. Cara Bertelmann

Secondary English Teacher

Dr. Cara Bertelmann holds a Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015), a Master's in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University (2018), and a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a specialization in English Language from... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm PDT
C-102

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience k-12, Teacher Educators

1:30pm PDT

Redesigning ELA Curricula and Learning Outcomes Through Lesson Study

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

C-111

This Research Grant report session highlights the review and assessment of English Language Acquisition courses at Skagit Valley College. Attendees are expected to enrich their knowledge of Lesson Study (Perry & Lewis, 2009) as a professional development model for developing curricula that foreground actionable learning outcomes and transferability to degree-seeking plans.

Speakers

Nguyen Dao

ELA/BEdA Faculty, Skagit Valley College

Nguyen Dao is a tenure-track ELA faculty at Skagit Valley College. He obtained his Ph.D. in Culture, Literacy, and Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His professional interests include language teaching and learning, multilingual education, and multilingualism... Read More →

Brienne Boesiger

Skagit Valley College

Brienne is an associate faculty and Department Chair of the ELA Department at Skagit Valley College. She has taught English to adult immigrants for over 19 years. Her professional passion is working with students and colleagues to create a positive, worthwhile learning experience... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
C-111

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience Higher Ed. Intensive English, Adult Refugee/Immigrant, Administrators

1:30pm PDT

School and Public Library Partnership: Supporting Multilingual Students & Families

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

C-109

This needs assessment highlights the benefits of partnership between public schools and public libraries to support multilingual students and their families. The findings show that some benefits of such partnerships include increasing awareness of library resources, literacy improvement, community building, increasing involvement of multilingual families, and attending to students' needs.

Speakers

Marjeta Bejdo

Marjeta Bejdo is an Albanian-American and teaches Kindergarten in a public school district near Seattle, Washington. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood with an EL and a Special Education Endorsement at Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) in 2017, and her... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
C-109

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience k-12, Bilingual Programs, Teacher Educators, Administrators

1:30pm PDT

Supporting Our Teacher Colleagues Through Structured Collaboration

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

C-102

A recent study conducted in a school district in BC, Canada, presented first-hand stories from the teacher participants through their six-week structured collaboration with their EL co-teachers. Those stories help us understand our colleagues’ different collaboration experiences, therefore, to support each other’s work and our multilingual learners better.

Speakers

Jaimie Bin Li

Dr. Jaimie Bin Li is a multilingual learner specialist based in British Columbia, Canada. Dedicated to fostering collaboration with mainstream educators, Dr. Li empowers multilingual students to thrive in the educational landscape. Committed to equity and inclusion, she works collaboratively... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
C-102

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience k-12, Teacher Educators, Administrators

3:30pm PDT

The Power of 'Language Portraits': Developing Linguistically Responsive Practices in P-12 Teacher Education

Saturday November 2, 2024 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT

Library C-204

This study explores the development of linguistically responsive educators, emphasizing translanguaging as a pedagogical practice. Utilizing "Language Portraits" and qualitative methods, it highlights the need for teacher education programs to foster awareness of multilingualism and challenges monolingual norms to support diverse learners in P-12 education.

Speakers

Grace Inae Blum

Seattle Pacific University

Grace Inae Blum is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on ELL/Bilingual Education at Seattle Pacific University. Before becoming a teacher educator, she taught in both bilingual and mainstream elementary classrooms in public schools throughout the greater... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
Library C-204

Research, Research/Report

Target Audience k-12, Teacher Educators