Professional+Organizations

There are professional organizations that strive to improve ESL instruction and learning as well as create awareness of the need for such programs. Three professional organizations that are geared toward ESL instruction are OELA, TESOL, and NABE.


 * Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA):**


 * URL:** []

The organization strives to provide national leadership to help ensure that English Language Learners become proficient in English and achieve academically. It assists in building the nation’s capacity in critical foreign languages. The organization wants to close the achievement gap for those who do not know English well. Identification of major issues affecting ESL is also addressed by this organization. OELA provides professional development as well as locates funding for ESL.

I chose this organization because I like how it provides information on Native American and Alaska Native children (something I do not see a whole lot provided) and it provides a lot of resources (both departmental and external resources).


 * Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL)**


 * URL:** []

TESOL looks to advance professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other organizations. So it looks at providing assistance to educators so educators can improve their teaching and understanding of English as a Second Language (ESL). TESOL believes in professionalism, respect for diversity and individual language rights, collaboration, quality instruction, and educational improvement through research and practice. The website provides information about TESOL, resources for educators and other professionals to use, grants and scholarships, and publications. Also, you can become a member of the organization to get even more resources and connect with other professionals as you improve your teaching and understand of ESL.

I chose this website because I thought it had a lot of information available and it seems to be a great way to obtain resources to help improve my teaching. The website is also easy to use and even provides a look at the types of jobs available in this field.


 * National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)**


 * URL:** []

NABE is a national organization that represents Bilingual Learners and Educators. It advocates for Bilingual and English Language Learners and their families. It also wishes to create a multilingual, multicultural society. There is a membership that goes along with this organization. With this membership you can get different resources and discounts on conferences. There is access to research, publications, and advocacy information on the website as well. Lastly, there is a store that sells journals to help provide that professional development.

 I chose this website because I thought it was interesting how NABE focuses on Bilingual students and educators. This is something I have not seen before. Also, I liked how the website was easy to use and contains so much information on ESL. Finally, the conferences sound very interesting and they provide research to base our practices off of.