Guide to Submitting a Proposal Online (Deadline: June 27, 2009)

www.colorado.edu/iec/cotesol

Note: To open the convention to as many as possible, presenters are allowed participation in a maximum of two presentations.


A.  Complete the proposal form.   (Please refer to Editing Guidelines.)

1.  Contact Presenter:  All communication will be directed to the contact presenter.  It is the responsibility of the contact presenter to keep co-presenter(s) informed.

2.  CoTESOL / Regional Affiliate Member:  Membership does not affect your chances of being selected to present.  However, all presenters (including panel participants) are expected to register and pay fees for the convention.  Presenters will receive a $10 discount on their registration fees in appreciation for their support of ESL professional development.

3.  Co-presenters:  Write the first and last name; e-mail address; and affiliation (school, college, IEP, organization, company, etc.).

4.  Type of Presentation:  Please choose the most appropriate one.  Times of some panels and workshops may be reduced if schedule requires.

Paper (45 minutes):  Describes and discusses work the presenter is doing or has done in relation to either theory or practice. Generally, these presentations are delivered as lectures with some audience participation rather than simply being read.

Demonstration (45 minutes):  Shows a teaching or testing technique.  Generally statements of theory are limited.  These presentations show rather than tell.

Panel/Symposium (1 hour 45 minutes):  Several presenters discuss or debate an issue or series of issues.  Dialogue is emphasized.

Workshop (1 hour 45 minutes):  One or more presenters work with the audience to solve a problem or develop and practice a specific teaching or research technique.  The emphasis is on the participants' activity which is carefully structured by the presenter(s).

Discussion (45 minutes):  Presenter(s) prepare a short introduction (10 minutes) on a topic of professional interest and lead colleagues in a discussion of that topic.

Poster (45 minutes):  Presenter prepares a flat-mounted poster illustrating a popular classroom activity or pedagogical technique.  Posters will be displayed in one location for one session at the convention.  Presenter should be prepared to answer questions or comments about the poster during that session.

Note: Presentations of a commercial nature are not acceptable in these academic sessions listed above.

5.  Abstract for Program Book:  This 50-word (maximum) abstract should include the objectives, a description of the content, and an outline of session activities.  The abstract will largely appear as written, but may be edited for consistency.

Sample:  How can parents who are themselves in the process of learning a language become role models for literacy and active participants in their children's education?  Presenters will describe a program developed in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center and implications for adaptation.  Video, sample activities, and suggestions for implementation will be included.

6.  Intended Audience:  Choose up to three.  

7.  Audio-Visual Needs:  All presentation rooms will have overhead projectors (with transparencies and markers) and screens.  Please check the box if you need CoTESOL to provide a TV/VCR/DVD.   All other equipment (i.e., audio players/recorders) is the responsibility of the presenter.  Note that we do NOT supply digital/LCD projectors or laptop computers.  Presenters must also provide their own technical support for these types of equipment.  The hotel provides free Internet access throughout the building.


B.  The following will be submitted to the CoTESOL board for adjudication:

8.  Presentation Title:  Please limit your title to seven words.  The title should accurately reflect the content, be clear to the intended audience, and not use a colon or quotation marks.  Capitalize only the first word, initials, and proper nouns.  Example: An awakening in in-service teacher training (seven words)

9.  Special Interest Group:  Please choose the SIG which is most appropriate to read your proposal for inclusion in the program.   CoTESOL has five SIGs to choose from:  Adult Education (AE); Elementary Education (EE); Intensive English Program / Higher Education (IEP/HE); Secondary Education (SE);  and Teacher Education / Action Research (TE/AR).  Proposals in the area of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and socio-political concerns are also welcome.

10.  Presentation summary:  As with the abstract for the program book, your 50- to 200-word summary should include the objectives, a description of the content (central idea or purpose and sufficient supporting detail), and an explanation of session activities.  This summary will be read by the referee committee of your choice and will not appear in the program.

Sample: How can parents who are learning a new language become role models for literacy and active participants in their children's education?  The answer to this question and implications for educators will be addressed as presenters describe a program developed in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center.  Participants will view the development of an intergenerational literacy project in a refugee camp setting and look at possible adaptations.  Presenters will 1) show videotaped examples of parent student interaction; 2) provide examples of activities and materials; 3) present strategies for implementation; and 4) review feedback from parents and educators.


C. Submit this online proposal form by June 27, 2009.  Print out a copy of your proposal for your own records before you submit.  All proposals will be read by CoTESOL Board members in early July, and people who submitted proposals will be notified by mail of the results by early August.