We are pleased to announce that TIRF’s commissioned research paper, English at Work: An Analysis of Case Reports about English Language Training for the 21^st-century Workforce, by Tony Fitzpatrick and Robert O’Dowd, is now available to download. The executive summary of the paper will continue to be available on TIRF’s website as well. The edited case reports that were included in the English at Work paper can be found here.

We would like to thank Ms. Meredith Morgan, who is responsible for the expert layout and design of both the executive summary and complete version of the paper. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Ms. Hadley Chatel at National Geographic Learning for her careful coordination of the production stages of the manuscript. And a great many thanks are due to National Geographic Learning and Trustee Dennis Hogan for their sponsorship of the production of the paper.

For any individual who missed TIRF’s presentation last month at the TESOL Convention, you may now watch the slidecast from the event. (In general, a slidecast features a PPT presentation with the speaker’s recorded voice to accompany the slides.) The entire presentation, which includes a question-and-answer session at the end of the talk, can be found on TIRF’s SlideShare account.

At its board meeting in Philadelphia on March 28^th, the TIRF Board elected three new Trustees. Here is some information about them.

Andrew B. Sugerman is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney English in Shanghai, China. He received a Master of Business Administration with High Honors from The University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business. Mr. Sugerman has eighteen years of general management and operations experience in both start-up and Fortune 100 companies. His expertise has helped build global learning-based retail and digital consumer businesses, and has consistently grown revenue, profit, and equity value in the companies for which he has worked. He has a strong track record of developing products and services that meet consumer needs in the global marketplace. In 2009, he was appointed as a Consultant Research Fellow of Shanghai Normal University and a Consultant Professor of Shanghai Institute of Tourism.   

Richard A. Boyum works for the US State Department as the University Partnership and Grants Evaluation Coordinator for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He received a Master of Education in Bilingual Education and English as a Foreign Language from Georgetown University. Throughout his State Department career, Mr. Boyum has gained extensive international experience in program management, grants administration, training, facilitation, and leadership development. He is proficient in French, Portuguese, and Spanish, and is conversant in Arabic, Thai, and German. In 2005, Mr. Boyum received TESOL’s James Alatis Award for his outstanding contributions to the field in 2005. He was honored with the Royal Thai Achievement Award for his innovative satellite educational programming in 2004. He also served on TESOL’s Board of Directors (1996- 1999).

Michael Legutke is professor emeritus of TEFL at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen in Germany. He has worked at the Department of Research at the Goethe Institute – Munich, as a German Language Consultant to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and as a language teacher in Germany. Dr. Legutke has served as a member of the editorial board of TESOL Quarterly, as a member of the Research Standing Committee of TESOL, and as president of the German Association of Foreign and Second Language Research. He is an advisory board member of the Zeitschrift für Fremdsprachenforschung (ZFF – Journal of German Association for Foreign Language Research). He is currently working on a state-funded research project, which is investigating the teaching of English in primary schools in the multilingual urban context of Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

“I am delighted with the election of these new trustees,” said Dr. Kathi Bailey, Chair of the TIRF Board. “They bring a wealth of international experience and will provide the Board with a range of views on the issues facing language educators and researchers today.”

At the TESOL Convention in Philadelphia this past week, TIRF launched its latest commissioned study, English at Work: An Analysis of Case Reports about English Language Training for the 21st-century Workforce. After a brief “meet and greet,” the study was summarized by co-author Tony Fitzpatrick, who noted several high points of the analysis of twenty case reports on English language training programs for the workforce. After Tony’s presentation, TIRF Trustee Dick Tucker shared his insights about the importance of English language training for the workforce. He drew upon his recent one-year experience working for Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

The executive summary of the study is now available on TIRF’s website, and can be downloaded for free by clicking here. The full version of the paper will soon be posted to the TIRF site as well.

MaryAnn Christion, TIRF Trustee, Receives TESOL James Alatis Award

TIRF Trustee MaryAnn Christison, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Utah, was recently honored with the James Alatis award “in recognition of outstanding and extended service to TESOL.” In making the award, TESOL President Dr. Christine Coombe sited MaryAnn’s seven-year term of service on the TESOL Board of Directors, including being President from 1997-1998, as well as her many major responsibilities for chairing the organization’s Conventions over the years. MaryAnn was also recognized for her numerous publications and intellectual contributions to the field. Dr. Coombe also noted MaryAnn’s current role as the Chair of TIRF’s Research Advisory Committee.

Upon receiving the award, MaryAnn had this to say: “I have known Jim and Penny Alatis for years and am honored to have them as dear friends. It is wonderful for TESOL to recognize service to name the award after Jim Alatis as his commitment to TESOL is legendary.”

Dick Tucker, TIRF Trustee

Tony Fitzpatrick, Co-author of TIRF's Forthcoming Publication

You are cordially invited to attend the TIRF presentation at the TESOL Convention in Philadelphia. The main presenter will be Tony Fitzpatrick, one of the authors of TIRF’s new monograph, English at Work: An Analysis of Case Reports of English Language Training for the 21st-century Workforce. He will summarize the literature review, explain the research design, and report on the findings of the study. TIRF Trustee Dick Tucker will serve as the discussant. 

The presentation will be held in room 203-A of the Convention Center from 10:00 to 11:45 AM on Thursday, March 29, 2012. We are planning to offer a coffee and tea service before the presentation begins, as an opportunity for attendees to network with TIRF’s Board members, some of our grant recipients, and other professionals who are concerned about the effective uses of English in business, industry, and the professions.

In September, TESOL Quarterly will publish a special topic issue entitled, Narrative Research in TESOL, and edited by Gary Barkhuizen. Contributors include Bonny Norton and Margaret Early, Kate Cadman and Jill Brown, Cynthia D. Nelson, Karen E. Johnson and Paula R. Golombek, and Janet Holmes and Meredith Marra. For general information on TESOL Quarterly special topic issues click here. For further information on subscriptions to TESOL Quarterly, please contact publications@tesol.org.

TIRF Board members, Jun Liu (left), Kathi Bailey (center), and David Nunan at TIRF's 2011 panel presentation

At the 2011 TESOL Convention held in New Orleans this past March, several TIRF Board members participated in a panel presentation entitled, “Regional Perspectives on English: Current Status and Future Trends.” The panelists addressed the current status of English and predicted future trends in various parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Issues included promoting research and best practices to improve the use of English in the global knowledge economy.

At this time, you may visit TIRF’s SlideShare channel to view the Power Point presentations the Board members gave at TESOL. TIRF’s SlideShare channel can be found online by clicking here. The three Board members’ slidecasts can be found by clicking on the links next to their names below.

• Ana Sylvia Ramirez – “Current Status of ELT: An Overview of Two Countries“
• Jun Liu – “The Impact of English in China: An Insider’s Perspective from Outside”
• Michael Carrier – “Regional Perspectives: Europe“

What’s a single skill that will set today’s business graduates apart and prepare them for jobs anywhere in the world? We believe it’s a facility with language.

Furthermore, in global companies where managers don’t possess deep language skills, we believe there will be severe negative economic impacts. Research shows that language barriers cost companies more than the money required to pay interpreters or translate documents. The real cost of the language barrier is that it “distorts and damages relationships,” according to a 2003 article by A.J. Feely and A.W. Harzing in Cross Cultural Management. Miscommunication can cause companies to lose potential clients or fail to deliver products and services.

Other experts also cite the impact of language skills in the workplace. “Addressing business issues from multiple perspectives has become a critical mandate in business education,” says Yuwei Shi, Dean of the Graduate School of International Policy and Management at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. “Language is essential to cross-cultural and cross-sector understanding.”

[Read full article]

For research reports about the project called Early Language Learning in Europe, please visit www.ellieresearch.eu

At the TESOL Convention TIRF hosted a coffee and tea service before a panel presentation by TIRF Trustees about issues relevant to TIRF’s Key Questions Initiative.

The presentation was entitled “Research Evidence and the Global Economic Role of English.” Our panelists were Lorraine de Matos (Cultura Inglesa, São Paulo, Brazil), Reece Duca (GlobalEnglish Corporation), and Michael Carrier (the British Council).

Three TIRF Board members — Lorraine de Matos, Michael Carrier and Reece Duca — gave presentations related to TIRF’s Key Questions initiatives.

Hear the Board members talk about the Key Questions Initiative.

TIRF Trustees Dick Tucker and Joanne Dresner attend the panel presentation.

Richard Boyum (left) chats with Trustee Donna Christian. In 1998, Boyum served as the TESOL Board of Directors liaison to the committee which did the initial research that led to the beginning of the foundation.

TIRF Trustees Reece Duca and Michael Carrier share a coffee before their panel presentation.

The TIRF Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the election of three new members: Dr Joe Lo Bianco, Dr. Jun Liu, and Ms. Ana Silvia Ramirez. >View 2010 TIRF Board

International companies rely on the language skills of their staff to grow and compete across borders, but more research needs to be done to understand the role of languages in business and to develop effective training.

This is the finding of a report published by The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF), a US-based funding organisation.

The report, The Impact of English and Plurilingualism in Global Corporations, highlights the role of English as a lingua franca in business but also stresses the need for companies to recruit and train multilingual staff.

[Read full article]

On April 3, 2008, the TIRF Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast at the Sheraton New York in New York City, honoring TIRF’s supporters, reviewers, and grant recipients. The breakfast was held in conjunction with the international TESOL convention. This year TIRF celebrates its 10th year of existence. Kathleen Bailey, TIRF trustee, introduced the program with a talk called “TIRF Turns Ten!”. TIRF President Donald Freeman welcomed the guests and Johan Uvin presented results of TIRF’s first Key Questions study called “The Roles of English and Multilingualism in the Global Economy.” G. Richard Tucker finished the program speaking on “Why I Give to TIRF”.

TIRF Trustee Kathi Bailey celebrates TIRF's 10th Anniversary in her presentation, "TIRF Turns Ten!"

G. Richard Tucker encourages the audience to give to TIRF.

Joan Morley with long-time TIRF supporters Penny and Jim Alatis

On March 22, 2007, the TIRF Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast in Seattle, Washington, USA, honoring TIRF’s supporters, reviewers, and grant recipients. The breakfast was held in conjunction with the international TESOL convention. The guest of honor was long time donor and supporter of TIRF activities, Betty Azar, who has funded TIRF Priority Research Grants on grammar. Patsy Duff, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, introduced the grant recipients for the 2006 PRG and DDG competition. David Nunan, TIRF trustee and donor, told the audience why he continues to give to TIRF. TIRF Chair Donald Freeman made welcoming remarks to the group and expressed the Foundation’s deep appreciation for the support it has received from Betty Azar.

The 2007 TESOL Breakfast honored Betty Azar, seen here (left) with Joanne Dresner (middle) and Patsy Duff

Mary Lou McCloskey and Trustee David Nunan, both Past TESOL President

TIRF Trustee, Joanne Dresner (left) and Diane Larsen-Freeman

On March 16, 2006, the TIRF Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast in Tampa, Florida honoring TIRF’s supporters, reviewers, and grant recipients. Joan gave an inspirational speech explaining why she gives to TIRF. Penny and Jim were recognized for their continued work with TIRF since before its inception as a foundation.

After welcome remarks from TIRF Chair, Neil Anderson, Patsy Duff, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, introduced the grant recipients for the current year. Then Carol Chapelle and Joan Jamieson, 2004 TIRF Priority Research Grant Recipients, offered their special thanks to TIRF for funding their recently completed research project. Closing the event was Past Board of Trustee and Founding Donor Joan Morley, who spoke briefly about the history of TIRF and why she gives to TIRF.

The guests of honor for this year’s breakfast were Jim and Penny Alatis, shown here with TESOL's Executive Director, Chuck Amorosino (far left) and Joan Morley (third from left).

Joan Morley tells the audience why she continues to give to TIRF. Joan was our first individual donor in the summer of 1998 and had continued to support TIRF through her "Author's Challenge" and her ongoing philanthropy.

TIRF Priority Research Grant Recipients Joan Jamieson (left) and Carol Chapelle say thanks to TIRF showing the breakfast guests how their research project was born.

Priority Research Grant recipients Dilin Liu (left), Ofra Inbar, and Antoinette Gagne talk with TIRF Trustee Patsy Duff, chair of the Research Advsiory Committee, at the 2006 breakfast event.

Neil Anderson, Chairman of the TIRF Board of Trustees, welcomes guests to the third annual breakfast honoring TIRF's supporters. The breakfast was held in conjunction with the international TESOL convention in Tampa, Florida, on March 16, 2006.

TIRF Doctoral Dissertation Grant winner Kara McBride (left) is congratulated by her advisor Dr. Jun Liu, the incoming president of TESOL, at the breakfast honoring TIRF's supporters and grant recipients.

TIRF gratefully acknowledges the support of Alta Books of California, which provided funding to support this event. Aaron Berman (left) and Simon Almendares of Alta Books helped to sponsor the 2006 TIRF breakfast.

June 19, 2006
Hyatt Hotel, Montreal, Canada

On June 19, 2006, the TIRF Board of Trustees hosted a wine and cheese reception at the 2006 AAAL Convention in Montreal, Canada. The reception honored TIRF’s supporters and introduced TIRF to newcomers. Patsy Duff, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, gave a short presentation entitled, “What is TIRF?”, in which she outlined TIRF’s mission and goals, and highlighted TIRF’s research activities to date. Attendees where treated to wine and an array of cheese and fruit. The event was organized and hosted by Prime Management Services.

Stacey Katz and TIRF Trustee, Donna Christian

Kelly Sippel, University of Michigan Press, and TIRF Trustee Mary Ann Christison.

Left to right: TIRF Trustees Kofi Edoh, Antonieta Celani, Donad Freeman, Lorriane de Matos, and Terry Toney at the Brazil dissemination event.

Centro Brasileiro Britanico
TESOL International Research Foundation Simpósio

Inglês no processo educacional: ampliando oportunidades e promovendo mobilidade social

April 25-26, 2005

Participants and special guests included the Cultura Inglesa President and members of its Executive board, British Council Directors SP, USA embassy/consulate staff, British consulate staff, São Paulo Secretaries of Education (both state and municipality), and over fifty other invitees, organizers and spouses.

March 12, 2005
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The first TIRF Dissemination Event took place in Dubai, UAE on Saturday March 12, 2005. It was hosted by the UAE Ministry of Education under the auspices of the Minister, Sheikh Nahayan, who delegated the Undersecretary of Education, Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi, to inaugurate the event which was attended by some 50 key English language teaching professionals and MOE officials from the UAE and other Gulf countries. TIRF Trustee Dr. Ali Al Sharhan, former Minister of Education in the UAE, played a key role in getting preparations for the Event underway, although he was unable to attend due to last-minute emergency travel. Education Undersecretary Khawla Al Mualla and several of her staff offered valuable logistical assistance. Besides the Ministry’s inaugural address, which extended a warm welcome to the TIRF Trustees present and the participants, and emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to expanding and upgrading English language teaching throughout the entire educational ladder, the program consisted of:

Yehia El-Ezabi

1. A presentation on TIRF by Trustee Yehia El-Ezabi, highlighting the need for its establishment several years ago, its mission and major goals, current research priorities identified and encouraged in critical areas of English language education worldwide, giving examples of research projects that have been supported by TIRF grants in various countries. The potential role of research findings in informing language education policies was emphasized.

Ahmad Owais

2. A presentation by the Senior Supervisor of English, Mr. Ahmad Owais, the UAE Ministry of Education on English language curricula and instructional approaches in pre-university education – challenges of teacher qualifications, instructional materials and techniques, and testing procedures.

Lauren Stephenson

3. A presentation by Professor Lauren Stephenson of Zayed University on the role of English in higher education institutions, focusing on the increasing demands for more and better English language instruction in the various fields of specialization, especially with the proliferation of universities and colleges in the Gulf Region offering English-medium instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Each presentation was followed by comments from a discussant. An open forum in which TIRF Board Chair Neil Anderson and Trustees Kathleen Bailey and Donald Freeman made additional remarks and conducted a lively question and answer session with the audience.

The program concluded with the approval of a set of recommendations for upgrading English language teaching standards in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is considered quite representative of the entire Gulf Region in this respect. A key recommendation called for making optimal use of TIRF’s initiatives in identifying and supporting critical research, and of the resulting research findings in providing a reliable basis for making appropriate language education policy decisions by the concerned educational authorities.

Organizers of the Dubai Event

The Foundation’s trustees are very grateful to the organizers of this dissemination event. The day’s presentations and discussions were informative, thought-provoking, and lively.

On March 31, 2005, the TIRF Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast in San Antonio, Texas, honoring TIRF’s supporters, reviewers, and grant recipients. The guest of honor was long-term TIRF Board member and donor Joan Morley, Professor Emerita from the University of Michigan.

After welcome remarks from TIRF Chair, Neil Anderson, Diane Larsen-Freeman honored Joan Morley and talked about “Why I Give to TIRF”. Patsy Duff, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee, introduced the grant recipients, and recent TIRF initiatives were discussed by trustees Yehia El-Ezabi and Mike McCarthy.

TIRF gratefully acknowledges the support of Alta Books of California, which provided funding to support this event. Funds from a Spencer Foundation grant also supported TIRF’s continuing efforts to build networking opportunities for researchers and graduate students in our field.

TIRF Trustee Mike McCarthy addresses the foundation’s supporters.

Guest speaker Diane Larsen-Freeman tells TIRF supporters why she gives to the foundation. She also recognized Joan Morley's many contributions to TIRF.

Guest of Honor, Marjorie Campbell

The 2004 breakfast honoring TIRF’s supporters was held in Long Beach, California. The guest of honor was Marge Campbell, wife of Russell N. Campbell. Doug Brown talked about why he gives to TIRF.

Front row: Joan Morley (University of Michigan), Donald Freeman (School for International Training), and Patsy Lightbown (Concordia University). Second row: Koffi Edoh (World Bank), Ray Clifford (Interagency Language Roundtable), Art Wise (NCATE), and Kees de Bot (Nijmegen University). Standing: Patricia Duff (University of British Columbia), Donna Christian (Center for Applied Linguistics), Roy Gilbert (Oxford University Press), Joel Gomez (National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, George Washington University), James Alatis (Georgetown University), Russell N. Campbell (University of California – Los Angeles), G. Richard Tucker (Carnegie Mellon University), Kathleen M. Bailey (Monterey Institute of International Studies), David Nunan (University of Hong Kong and Anaheim University), Joanne Dresner (Pearson Education), Brian Lynch (Portland State University), and Rick Jenks (Florida State University). Not pictured: Catherine Snow (Harvard University).

In February 2001, TIRF hosted an invitational conference in Alexandria, Virginia to identify and to define the research priorities that would guide its work during the subsequent decade. The presenters were distinguished language researchers from Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the United States. The other invited attendees represented major professional language education associations, the Interagency Language Roundtable of the U.S. Government, and the World Bank. The results of the deliberations were published in TESOL Quarterly (2001, 35 (4), 595-616). TIRF is grateful to TESOL for granting permission to post a PDF of the TESOL Quarterly article here [Duff&Bailey_TIRF_ResearchPriorities].