"In our quest for quality English language teaching worldwide, research must come first."

James Alatis, TIRF Trustee

The International Research
Foundation
for English Language Education

About TIRF > TIRF's Mission

TIRF's Mission

Early in its work, TIRF board members focused on the fact that no existing organization or agency, private or public, is uniquely concerned with investigating issues in language learning and teaching. While specialized groups with ample funding focus on research and development activities intended to improve the human condition in other domains of public life, no such focus has ever been given to the crucial area of English second/foreign language education. TIRF provides this specialized attention, giving high priority to the development of a coherent program of language learning research, teaching research, and information dissemination.

Over the last three decades, the profession has witnessed phenomenal growth and development in two major areas: revolutionary changes in language teaching theory and practice and a virtual population explosion of learners worldwide -- literally millions and millions of people who have a need to learn English. At the same time, the gap has widened between practice and the research needed to inform practice, in both language learning and teaching, as well as teacher training. With these realities in mind, TIRF's mission embodies four major goals.

• To implement a research and development program that will generate new knowledge and inform and improve the quality of English language teaching and learning


• To promote the application of research to practical language problems


• To collect, organize, and disseminate information and research on the teaching and learning of language


• To influence the formation and implementation of appropriate language education policies, taking cognizance of the complementarity of English as an international language and indigenous languages and cultures worldwide

The international TESOL organization provided the original seed-money for TIRF in its funding initiatives. The ultimate goal is to raise 12 million dollars, which will allow TIRF to support research projects in the amount of 1 million dollars a year. Funds are used to support research projects selected from applications submitted in response to TIRF's annual calls for proposals. TIRF is committed to the development of a research agenda which is flexible and dynamic, both addressing perennial issues and evolving as critical questions present themselves. TIRF will receive, hold, invest, administer, and distribute funds for these purposes.

But most important, TIRF invites concerned individuals and organizations to become partners, to share in this venture as an investment in the future toward the development of a TESOL language research and development agenda for the 21st Century. TIRF Board members believe that the ultimate success in meeting the Foundation's research goals will depend to a large degree on support from both individuals and groups around the world. Those who share this philosophy and wish to join ranks and have a hand in this critical endeavor will have opportunities to contribute to the work of TIRF.
Becoming involved in TIRF activities is easy. We need people who are interested in any of the following: reading research proposals, serving on TIRF committees, serving on the Board of Trustees, recommending persons to serve on the Board of Trustees, or giving donations to TIRF.