One day after the TESOL International Convention and Expo, in March 2025, the Christian English Language Educators Association (CELEA) met at Biola University, USA. This group of dedicated Christians support each other as professional English teachers. Members work in both Christian and secular institutions and organizations. At this annual meeting, teachers and administrators encourage each other in their Christian convictions and consider how their faith impacts their teaching, leading, and research.  This year’s conference theme was “Rooted in Truth: Teaching English through a Biblical Lens in a Changing World.”

LCC faculty members were well represented at the one-day conference, CELT (Christians in English Language Teaching). Dr. Michael Westwood, Dr. Geraldine Ryan, and Dr. Mary Wong attended the in-person event.

Dr. Westwood collaborated with Dr. Tatiana Golikova from Volga State University to offer a presentation entitled Welcoming the Stranger: Peacebuilding through Intentional Virtual Cross-Cultural Exchange.  “While Dr. Golikova could not attend in-person, we collaborated on a video for the virtual CELT, and I used her slides at the in-person event. We shared the ongoing Global Conversations Program that she initiated with Dr. Aliel Cunningham (former LCC instructor) years ago but with an added focus on cross-cultural collaborations during times of complex geopolitical conflicts.”

Dr. Westwood reflects, “The International TESOL Convention and CELT conference were both exhausting and inspiring. While AI (understandably) dominated the discussion, some of the most practical sessions I attended related to creating more engaging online discussion boards. Suggestions included having boards continue over several weeks to provide opportunities for more in-depth discussion and to create conversation “chains” where participants respond to one another rather than a single instructor-provided post. I also found myself challenged in more abstract ways such as cultivating an attitude of “servant teachership” and embracing the leadership opportunities I have been given to seek change beyond my classroom. While the topics and presentations were valuable, perhaps even more so were the opportunities to connect over coffee and meals with peers who share a passion for teaching and service across different contexts.”

As you can see, LCC instructors are well connected and informed through these professional development opportunities like the CELEA’s CELT conference. Follow this link to learn more about the CELEA organization and consider joining! https://celea.wildapricot.org/ 

Author: Robin Gingerich, Ph.D., MA TESOL Program Director at LCC International University.