Editor’s note: This piece was written by David Cutler, Policy & Communications Specialist, TESOL International Association
Alexandria, VA (15 November 2016) – TESOL International Association announced today that The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF) is being honored with the 2017 TESOL Presidents’ Award. Honorees of the award are individuals or organizations outside of TESOL that have demonstrated a commitment to English language instruction and education. TIRF President Kathleen Bailey will accept the award from TESOL President Dudley Reynolds during the President’s Keynote Session at the 2017 TESOL International Convention & English Language Expo in Seattle, Washington, USA.
TIRF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to generate new knowledge about English language teaching and learning. TIRF applies research findings to practical language problems by working collaboratively with teachers, researchers, authors, publishers, philanthropic foundations, government agencies, and major companies. TIRF’s vision is that in the 21st century, personal and social value accrues to individuals who are proficient in English and in some additional language.
Commenting on the selection of TIRF to receive this esteemed award, Reynolds remarked, “For many years I have admired the work that TIRF does to support and disseminate research in and for our field, and so it is a humbling honor to select them as this year’s recipient of the TESOL International Association Presidents’ Award. TIRF recognizes that the legitimacy of our field rests not only on the work we do every day in classrooms around the world, but also on our ability to explain, evaluate, and redirect that work. Conducting sound research is neither easy nor cheap; TIRF has made it its mission to make sure that we as a field have both the fiscal and intellectual resources we need.”
In response to TIRF being named the 2017 Presidents’ Award recipient, Bailey stated, “Receiving this prestigious award is a great honor for TIRF, particularly as the foundation was started by TESOL in 1998. As a former president of TESOL, I know how much care and thought goes into determining the annual Presidents’ Award. On behalf of the TIRF Board of Trustees, I want to thank TESOL for this important accolade. It is certainly a new milestone for the foundation and will help to increase awareness of TIRF’s mission.”
(Reference for this Article: TESOL International Association)
