The sixth annual EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference (PDC), held last week was the biggest of its kind with attendance up by almost a third on last year. This year marks the first time the event, which began as a small workshop in 2009, has been designated a “conference”.
“It is our every hope that this event will support the standards of our field and the quality of and access to our programmes”
One hundred and seventy five delegates attended the event held at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco denoting the organisation’s first meeting since the December 15 deadline last year for all IEPs to be accredited. Organisers say the conference marks a “big step forward” for English USA, the sector’s representing body.
Vice President for Outreach Caroline O’Neal acknowledged that “bigger is relative”, but said that she was thrilled with the conference turnout.
“We’re still small compared to NAFSA or TESOL, but that’s what people really like about the PDC: it’s all about IEPs!” she said.
“The growth of the PDC reflects not only the growing size of EnglishUSA but also its increasing role as the recognised voice for intensive English programmes.”
O’Neal credits the change in numbers to the depth and breadth of sessions available, topics of which ranged from curriculum and programming to government regulation and compliance.
Attendees also took part in sessions dedicated to administrative and faculty staffing, accreditation, placement and assessment challenges, and student services management.
EnglishUSA, the largest membership organisation specifically serving intensive English programs (IEPs) in the United States, reports membership has leapt by 44% in the last year to over 350.
Opening the conference, association president William Dantona said that the PDC was a “truly unique event”.
“It is our every hope that this event will support the standards of our field and the quality of and access to our programmes.”
