FAQs

What, apart from the frequent talks and annual convention, are the benefits of joining TESOL?

It offers you an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues, you receive a quarterly e-bulletin (of around 25 pages), you have access to the SEETA website and you establish yourself as someone who takes your profession seriously.

What happens at typical TESOL events?

They begin with an opportunity to socialize with colleagues over coffee and refreshments. After this the main talk begins which will last around 45 – 60 minutes. There is usually some question-time at the end.

Can I attend an event without becoming a member?

Yes, you may join as a guest, paying 10 euros which can then be deducted from your full membership if you decide to become a full member.

I am not yet a teacher, can I join TESOL?

It is something of a myth that you have to be an established teacher to join TESOL. In fact, the start of your career is an excellent time to join a professional organization and establish your credentials. Quite a few of our members, who are now up there at the top of the profession, joined while still students or attending training courses.

Is TESOL only for frontisterio teachers?

Definitely not. We have a very broad membership which includes state school teachers and advisors, university staff, publishers and many others.

Can TESOL find a job for me?

No, but you will certainly be better placed to find a job by talking to other members and generally networking within the organization.

Can I be a volunteer for TESOL?

Definitely! There are many ways - big and small - to do this from helping at our monthly events and / or convention, to sticking up posters in strategic places.

Can I make a presentation at the annual convention?

A ‘Call for Participation’ is posted on our website well in advance of the annual convention. Complete this by the deadline and your application will go before a committee who decides which applications are accepted.

Can I stand for the Board at the next elections?

Definitely, if you have been a fully paid-up member for a year or more. It is a good idea to get experience as a volunteer before doing this.

I have read about SEETA on this website, what does this stand for?

SEETA : AN ON-LINE COMMUNITY IN THE WORKS

Eleven Teachers’ Associations, a common goal and a moodle platform make up the SEETA Community.

• ELTA Albania
• ELTAM Montenegro
• BETA Bulgaria
• IATEFL Poland
• TESOL Macedonia Thrace Northern Greece
• ELTAM Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• RATE Romania
• ETAI Israel
• ELTA Serbia
• IATEFL Slovenia
• INGED Turkey

The future may well be virtual. Whichever way we look at it, new learning technologies are going to become an increasingly significant factor in our teaching, and whether we feel comfortable with this prospect or not, we will all have to at least acknowledge its existence. SEETA is a virtual on-line community of TAs which enables our members to have hands on experience of using current technology as part of their professional development.

The overall objective is that this networking community will provide an ongoing and structured means of communication which can be developed by future associations and their members for their mutual benefit. Aside from being an effective way of promoting joint events and activities, it can also provide a teachers’ forum for the exchange of ideas,information and articles. Other additional features include a valuable resource and data base for the use of all participant associations and a viable system for the exchange of newsletters, bulletins and other electronic publications. In all, it has the potential for establishing an interactive means of involving the wider membership in issues concerning the profession.

Time and geographical constraints have, until now, inhibited TAs from extending and enhancing links already made. The moodle platform enable us to overcome these obstacles and involve as many associations as possible as equal and active partners in the development of the networking system. In the new virtual future national boundaries may no longer play a role and it is what we have in common as teachers that will help us move forward and not our differences.

The SEETA Community was initiated by TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Northern Greece and was seed funded by the British Council Greece.

Anna Parisi

SEETA Community Manager
TESOL Macedonia –Thrace Northern Greece SEETA Coordinator
www.seeta.eu