Professional Development Resources

Illinois Professional Development Network (PDN)
The three PD centers of the Illinois PD Network all offer PD that may be of interest to ESL instructors. Check the statewide FY23 IL Professional Development Network's PD Course Catalog . The catalog is updated regularly as new activities or courses open.

New American Horizons Adult ESL Training Videos
This is a collection of 12 online videos from New American Horizons featuring adult ESL teachers in their classrooms demonstrating different instructional methods and classroom management techniques.

Minnesota Literacy Council Classroom Videos Collection
The Minnesota Literacy Council and ATLAS, Minnesota’s PD provider for adult education, have produced a wide selection of videos of adult education instructors teaching in their classrooms, many of which are ESL. 

LINCS
The U.S. Department of Education’s professional development website for adult educators. Includes online courses for instructors, research articles, curricula, and other resources. LINCS also offers online communities of practice related to various areas of adult education where educators can participate in ongoing discussion forums.

OTAN
OTAN is the California Department of Education's Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) for adult educators. The site includes software and web site reviews as well as lesson plans, an ever-growing number of PD webinars, and other resources.

Professional Associations

Illinois TESOL-BE or ITBE (Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages-Bilingual Education)
www.itbe.org 
ITBE is the Illinois affiliate of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL, see below). ITBE holds an annual two-day conference in the Chicago area for ESL teachers at all levels. The conference features national speakers as well as local presenters. In addition, the organization provides half-day "workshops," webinars for members, a job bank, and an online newsletter. The organization also awards scholarships to members for undergraduate and graduate study as well as for attending the annual conference.

TESOL International Association
www.tesol.org 
TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) is the primary professional association for ESL and EFL teachers worldwide. The organization has state and regional affiliates in the U.S. and around the world. TESOL holds an annual convention which features many internationally recognized researchers and practitioners in the field. TESOL members have access to employment information, TESOL online publications, courses, and more.

IACEA (Illinois Adult and Continuing Education Association)
www.iacea.net 
IACEA is a professional association for adult educators in Illinois and is the state affiliate of COABE (see below). Its annual conference is usually held in Central Illinois and features sessions on all areas of adult education, including Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, HSE, ESL, and more. IACEA also works to represent the concerns of Illinois’ adult educators and learners to state and national legislators.

COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education)
www.coabe.org 
COABE is a national association for adult educators. Each year, COABE holds a convention where sessions are presented on all aspects and areas of adult education. National and local speakers are featured. COABE members can receive the association's research publications and newsletters, attend free webinars, and more.