It’s time! Thailand TESOL’s annual international conference is approaching. It’s an exciting time for all of us who are involved in the organization and running of the conference and indeed for everyone planning to attend.

For so much of the year we remain somewhat isolated in our own work environments, burdened by what often feels like overwhelming demands on our time. For this reason we take pleasure in the communal atmosphere of the annual conference. It truly is a time to take stock; to share with others the successes, the challenges, and the new discoveries we have made. It’s a chance to learn about other approaches, other contexts, and other aspects of ELT that may enrich our own working lives and the lives of our students.

With the growth of English as a Lingua Franca, the conference provides an ideal opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and consider the work being done by educators throughout Asia and beyond. Whether from an inner circle country, and outer circle country or an expanding circle country, there is a growing awareness that ELT theory and practice needs to be tailored to one’s individual environment. A conference such as this is the perfect forum to consider alternative approaches and broaden our horizons. It is indeed a melting pot.

As President of Thailand TESOL, I take immense pleasure in welcoming all participants. Come with an open mind and a caring attitude. Come with a willingness to share ideas and perspectives. Come with a daring state of mind; willing to take on board fresh ideas and perspectives.

We hope you all will enjoy the conference and find it a stimulating experience. We also hope you will enjoy the chance to meet with old friends and make some new ones, content in the knowledge that regardless of our working context, we all ultimately have a similar objective: to enrich the lives of our students.

Ubon Sanpatchayapong