The CLESOL Conference
Since its inception in 1990 the CLESOL
conference has brought together the needs and interests of two
groups of language teachers. Community languages are
the first part of the CLESOL equation. Community languages teachers
are committed to maintaining the first languages of migrant
and refugee groups settled in Aotearoa New Zealand, and
introducing those languages to others interested in learning them.
Community languages teachers are bilingual (or multilingual) and
their work is usually community based. The other half of the CLESOL
equation is ESOL teachers. By comparison, ESOL
teachers are a much bigger group who work in State education institutions
(primary, secondary and tertiary), for private language schools,
or as volunteer community tutors. The language of, and
focus for, instruction is English, and ESOL teachers
are predominantly monolingual native English speakers (but not
exclusively so).
The interests of these two groups of
teachers coincide in many ways and the CLESOL conference
provides an important opportunity for dialogue between the two
groups to occur. Each has much to learn from the other and the
synergy of the CLESOL conference draws on the energy and interests
of both.
Two organisations contribute to the planning
and running of the CLESOL conference, which moves around the country,
being held every two years in a different location. TESOLANZ – Teachers
of English for Speakers of Other Languages, Aotearoa New Zealand – is
the larger partner, and has been an incorporated society since 1994. CLANZ – Community
Languages Association of New Zealand – is the smaller partner
having been an incorporated society since 2004. The organising committee
for each conference is made up of TESOLANZ members from the local
branch where the conference is to be held, and local community language
teachers. With the assistance of a professional conference organiser,
the CLESOL conference is a well organised and professional conference
attracting over 600 national and international delegates.
|
