2026 Annual Conference Call for Propoals
Submission due date: July 15, 2026
Call for Proposals Submission Form
The 2026 EnglishUSA Annual Conference convenes the English language program (ELP) community at a pivotal time for U.S. international education. Amid enrollment fluctuations, staffing constraints, program restructuring, and ongoing visa and policy uncertainty, English language programs are adapting quickly while continuing to play a vital role in global engagement and student mobility.
Under this year’s theme—Forward Together: Supporting People, Programs, and Possibilities—we invite educators, administrators, and partners to share strategies and models that strengthen programs, support students, and reinforce the United States as a leading destination for English language study.
This conference will highlight how ELPs are responding to current challenges while advancing innovation, building cross-sector partnerships, and engaging in effective advocacy. We welcome proposals that offer practical insights, demonstrate impact, and contribute to a stronger, more coordinated voice for the field.
Proposed Sub-themes:
- Student success, well-being & retention in a changing environment
- Global enrollment trends, recruitment & market diversification
- Advocacy, visa policy & the role of ELPs in U.S. international education
- Program sustainability, staffing models & institutional alignment
- Strategic partnerships (campus, community, industry, and government)
- Teaching innovation, technology & AI in language education
- Marketing, branding & promoting U.S. study globally
- Leadership, workforce development & navigating change
- Data, outcomes & demonstrating the value of ELPs
We especially encourage sessions that connect practice to policy, highlight collaboration across stakeholders, and position ELPs within the broader international education ecosystem.
Join us in shaping a resilient, innovative, and globally engaged future for English language programs in the United States.
Session Tracks
Track #1: Academic, teaching & learning track geared towards attendees whose role focuses on teaching, curriculum development, testing, technology in learning, etc.
Track #2: Administrative, staff & operations track geared toward those whose role(s) involved the operations of a program, including marketing/recruiting, admissions, campus & community visibility, etc.
Session Types
There are two types of sessions for which proposals may be submitted:
1) Panel Discussions:
Panels are 60 minutes long with a minimum of 15 minutes of interactive discussion and Q & A with session attendees. This session type is similar to sessions at other international education conferences with slide decks used (and provided to participants after). These sessions should focus on lessons learned, challenges and issues encountered, and how those were addressed. Presenters are requested to keep details or case studies from specific universities or programs to a minimum; these can illustrate points but should NOT be the focus of sessions.
2) Facilitated Roundtables:
Roundtables are 60 minutes long, focused on specific topics, and presented/organized by a maximum of 2 facilitators. The idea of the roundtables is to delve into the deeper issues of particular topics and focus on developing solutions, approaches, strategies, or innovative thinking. They demand interaction from participants. Facilitators briefly introduce the topic and provide background information, then pose questions to facilitate the discussion. The outcome of each roundtable session is a collegial discussion and an exchange of ideas providing a range of perspectives and take-aways for participants. Facilitators are requested to submit the discussion outcomes in writing to EnglishUSA for posting on the conference website within two weeks of the conference. These discussions should pose a series of discussion questions; target audience is specifically ELP administrators and educators and sessions should focus on an issue at the strategic leadership level.
Selection Criteria
Proposals submitted for the EnglishUSA Conference will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Task Force and evaluated with the following criteria in mind:
- Relevance to Leaders in English Language Programs: Proposals should address topics pertinent to senior leaders, faculty, and staff involved in English language programs (ELPs).
- Alignment with Conference Theme and Sub-Themes: Sessions should clearly connect to the conference’s overarching theme and/or sub-themes, showcasing insights valuable to the EnglishUSA community.
- Originality and Quality: We value innovative session ideas that contribute new perspectives or approaches in the field of English language teaching & learning.
- Inclusivity/Diversity of Perspectives: Proposals should feature multiple viewpoints, ideally involving a variety of stakeholders or practitioners among the presenters.
- Effective Time Management: Sessions should be structured to allow ample time for discussion, with a clear and realistic allocation of time for each part of the presentation.
- Presenter Expertise and Background: We seek presenters who have expertise in areas relevant to ELPs.
- Format Alignment: Session descriptions should correspond to the selected format (e.g., roundtable or panel discussion), optimizing attendee engagement.
Call for Proposals Submission Form
Additional Considerations
- Diverse Presenter Teams: Standard panel sessions are encouraged to include presenters from diverse programs, institutions, associations, and/or organizations. Roundtable sessions may have up to two facilitators.
- No Product/Program Promotion: Sessions must focus on insights and best practices, not the promotion of specific programs, services, or products. Sponsorship opportunities are available separately for service providers.
- Balanced Program: The Conference Planning Task Force will consider the overall program balance, seeking to cover a variety of topics and perspectives that reflect the interests of the EnglishUSA membership and the industry as a whole.
- Potential for Collaboration: Proposers may be invited to combine their sessions with others who submitted similar topics to maximize the depth and breadth of discussion.
You do not need to be an EnglishUSA member to submit a proposal to this event. However, please do not submit a proposal if you are a professional speaker expecting compensation for your contributions. EnglishUSA does not compensate speakers nor does it reimburse any travel expenses. A limited number of invited agency and association speakers will receive complimentary registrations; all other presenters are expected to register (member discount will be provided).