Professional Development Conference (PDC) 2026

Call for Proposals Is Now Closed

This year’s theme: Connecting Communities

We invite you to share your expertise, creativity, and experience at the 18th Annual EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference (PDC)! Session proposals should speak to the intensive English and pathway program community by addressing current trends, challenges, and innovative solutions that strengthen our profession.

We especially encourage proposals that reflect collaboration across programs, organizations, and companies, and that offer interactive, engaging formats—such as case studies, breakout discussions, and Q&A sessions—rather than traditional lectures. With a limited number of sessions available (15–18), proposals that showcase multiple perspectives and participant engagement will receive priority consideration.

This year’s sub-themes include:

• Curriculum Development

• Innovative Programming

• Student Services

• Leadership & Management

• Marketing & Student Recruitment

• Professional Development for Faculty & Staff

• Student Assessment

• Standards, Regulations & Compliance

• Teaching Techniques

• Workplace Well-Being

• AI in Teaching, Learning, and Administration

• Partnerships

• Other

Sessions will be scheduled for 50 minutes and should focus on sharing knowledge, strategies, and success stories—not promoting specific institutions or products. Together, we’ll explore how “Connecting Communities” continues to shape the future of English language education.

Session Guide

Teaching Techniques in the Classroom	Leadership & Management
Marketing	Student Services
Innovative Programming	Standards, Regulations, & Compliance
Student Assessment	Curriculum Development
Recruitment	Professional Development for Faculty & Staff
Workplace Well-Being	AI in Teaching, Learning and Administration
Partnerships	Other

Conference Schedule Breakdown

• Welcome & Announcements: 11:00 -11:10 am (ET)
• Session One Presentations: 11:15 – 12:00 pm (ET)
• Session Two: 12:15 – 1:00 pm (ET)
• Session Three: 1:15 – 2:00 pm (ET)  
• Break: 2:00 – 2:45 pm (ET)
• Session Four: 2:45 – 3:30 pm (ET) 
• Session Five: 3:45 – 4:30 pm (ET)     
• Session Six: 4:45 – 5:30 pm (ET)   
• Join us for a virtual happy hour and download!  

Welcome & Announcements: 11:00 -11:10 am (ET)

EnglishUSA leadership kicks off the 17th Annual Professional Development Conference with preliminary remarks!

Session One: 11:15 – 12:00 pm (ET)

 Human-Centered AI in English Language Education: A Layered-Modality Design Approach

Discover how one university English language program is redesigning its curriculum for the AI era. This session introduces a layered-modality framework that balances tech-free, tech-integrated, and AI-literacy coursework. Participants will explore practical strategies for implementing ethical AI integration that enhances student outcomes, faculty roles, and program sustainability.

Presenter: Jeremy Slagoski, Applied Language Institute

Showcases as Capstones: Authentic Project-based Assessment in ESL/EFL Programs

This session explores showcase events as authentic capstone assessments for ESL/EFL programs. Drawing on experience from an ESP Business English course, the presenter demonstrates how showcases integrate teamwork, creativity, and communication while promoting entrepreneurial thinking. By the end, participants will brainstorm adaptable mini showcase projects suitable for their own programs.

Presenter: Conan Kmiecik, Qatar University

 Faculty Members in Administration Roles: Successes and Lessons Learned

This presentation examines the successes and challenges of faculty assuming administrative roles in a university IEP. Speakers from administration, faculty, and adjunct positions share insights on training, shifting responsibilities, and evolving dynamics in the program. Attendees receive practical recommendations and awareness of pitfalls to support successful faculty to administration transitions.

Presenters: Kristina Talbi, Mr. Vit Vanicek, Ph.D. and Beata Keller, UIC Tutorium

 Custom GPTs to Learn English and Digital Literacy

This interactive session examines how instructors can create custom GPTs to develop English skills and digital literacy through classroom-guided practice and discussion. Participants explore the presenter’s GPTs, built on OpenAI’s GPTPlus, and evaluate the value of these tools for their own classrooms.

Presenter: Kathleen F. Kearney, Georgetown University

Session Two: 12:15 – 1:00 pm (ET)

Gamify Speaking: Playful Practice for Confident Communication

This interactive session presents a customizable, game-based speaking task that engages young learners through fun yet purposeful communication. Originally designed for short-term visiting groups, it adjusts easily for any A1–B1 learners. Participants will experience the task, discuss adaptations, and explore how it promotes authentic speaking through competition and creativity.

Presenter: Violet Gudkova, Wisconsin English as a Second Language Institute (WESLI)

 Beyond Language: Conveying Culture in English Language Programs

This session will examine how ELP faculty and administrators convey cultural knowledge to students, both explicitly and implicitly. The presenter will share findings from original research, and session attendees will reflect on their own practices. We will discuss strategies to make cultural knowledge more comprehensible and improve student understanding.

Presenter: Christine Voigt, University of Florida, English Language Institute

Teaching Leadership to Lead Teaching

As IEPs navigate rapid changes in enrollment, staffing, and institutional expectations, empowering teachers through intentional shared-leadership structures can strengthen communities, improve decision-making, and increase faculty well-being.This session explores practical models of shared leadership that elevate teacher expertise, distribute responsibility, and create collaborative cultures where faculty and administrators work as partners.

Presenter: John Catlett, ELS Language Centers

 ESP by Design: Language Learning for Industry and Community Impact

This session showcases three English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses developed to meet the needs of vocational learners and community stakeholders. The presentation highlights participant collaboration that is responsive to industry and community needs. Attendees will leave with ideas as to how to further ESP innovation in their own programs.

Presenters: Jennifer Nolasco, Sue Shanley and Hiram Aguilar, American Language Institute, CSU-Long Beach

Session Three: 1:15 – 2:00 pm (ET)

 We Need to Talk: The Workplace Wellbeing Crisis

This session supports staff facing unprecedented workplace stress, yet we keep performing "business as usual." Christina breaks the silence on workplace wellbeing, helping leaders recognize when teams are struggling, implement supportive practices that actually work, and build systems where staff hold each other through crisis.

Presenter: Christina Furtado, GuardMe US

 Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study

Presenters will describe an initiative funded by the Central New York Humanities Corridor, bringing together students and faculty to explore connections between second language study and the humanities. The presenters will illustrate how an ELP can partner successfully with other non-ELP language programs.

Presenters: David Lind, Caleb Schwarz, Olga A Oganesyan and David Patent, Syracuse University

Assessment Equity: Ensuring Fairness Across Online and On-Campus Modes

This interactive session explores how institutions can ensure equitable assessment (diagnostic, formative, and summative) for students studying online or on campus. Participants will reflect on the principles of assessment parity and discuss how consistent design, difficulty, and security across modalities safeguard fairness and reliable progression outcomes.

Presenter: Peter Coulam, Kaplan

Clone Yourself: What, Why, and How of an AI Twin

In this session, educators explore creating a virtual twin through an instructional design lens to understand data selection, instructional modeling, and use cases. Through practical interactive demonstrations participants learn how to structure input for a dependable AI twin that improves materials development, performance feedback, and instructional practice in language learning. 

Presenter: Sara Davila, Educating Her World

Break 2:00 - 2:45 

Session Four: 2:45 – 3:30 pm (ET)

 Portfolio Expansion for ELPs

This session presents a case study on how an English program rebuilds from a single IEP into a broader institute, expanding offerings through online learning, global institutional partnerships, and targeted marketing. It highlights current trends, future markets, and concludes with practical insights and an open Q&A.

Presenters: Amanda Dascomb and Todd Beard, English Language Institute, UT- Knoxville

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes; Compliant Practices

High-quality English language programs regularly monitor student assessment practices to ensure that assessment instruments and procedures are aligned with stated student learning outcomes. Following a description of CEA Standards requirements, approaches to assessment, qualitative data, and examples of compliant practices will be presented.

Presenters: Emily Vandermade and Heidi Vellenga, Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, CEA

Hit Play: Using AI-Generated Music to Energize the Language Classroom

This session demonstrates how educators can integrate AI-generated music into English language instruction to boost engagement and creativity. Participants explore accessible tools, create short classroom songs, and discuss pedagogical and ethical implications of using machine-made music to enhance listening, pronunciation, and cultural learning.

Presenter: J.L. Rizzotti, Posmardet

Developing a continuing professional development (CPD) plan for yourself and your team

CPD is increasingly recognised as essential to maintaining an excellent faculty. However, it is often misunderstood or poorly implemented. CPD activities are often ineffectual, and faculty members often do not appreciate them. This workshop offers guidance on developing an effective and cost-conscious CPD plan to maximise outcomes and faculty engagement.

Presenter: Karl Millsom, ICEF Academy

Session Five: 3:45 – 4:30 pm (ET)

 Connecting Students with the Community through Curricular Experiential Activities

Experiential learning in the local community is a transformative experience for English language students, a benefit to the community, and an opportunity for an intensive English or pathway program to distinguish itself. Participants review real examples, discuss the theoretical background, and identify opportunities for experiential education in their programs.

Presenters: Jessica Teneoglu and Michele Drennan, Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture

Reimagining Short-Term Programs through Academic and Community Collaboration

This interactive session provides a forum for discussing and reimagining short-term contract programs by connecting language and culture learning with academic engagement and community partnerships. Participants share ideas and develop context-specific strategies for enriching short-term global programming on their campuses.

Presenter: Laura E Ray, Old Dominion University English Language Center

Adopting a Third-Party Placement Test

An ELP shares its experience successfully adopting a third-party placement test. This session presents the initial search for a new test, pilot phase, CEFR-based benchmarking to existing ELP levels, implementation, followup placement review, and advice. Participants can expect to identify the steps necessary to adopt a third-party placement test.

Presenter: Robert Bushong and Mike Fields, University of Delaware

Facilitating Independent Learning through Artificial Intelligence

This session explores practical ways to guide students in using generative AI as an independent learning tool. Participants will examine strategies for identifying skill-appropriate AI use cases, designing lessons that integrate language and AI practice, and informally assessing student use to support autonomy, engagement, and responsible learning practices.

Presenter: Andy Mattingly, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Session Six: 4:45 – 5:30 pm (ET)

Engaging Prospective Students Through Live Online English Lesson Demonstrations

Presenters will describe how Global Launch at Arizona State University uses live online English-teaching demonstrations as a recruitment tool to show prospective students what intensive English classes are like. Presenters will discuss how collaboration with the marketing team and multilingual student ambassadors play a role in connecting with prospective students.

Presenters: Claire McLaughlin, Global Launch; and Shoshanna Starzynski, Global Launch

Bridging Gaps in Digital Accessibility Through Faculty Training

This session outlines a professional development program developed for an intensive English and pathways program to meet digital accessibility standards and departmental goals. Presenters explain key activities, share recommendations for making digital content accessible, and guide attendees in discussing examples and resources to plan similar initiatives in their own contexts.

Presenters: Kaitlin Decker and Alissa Nostas, Arizona State University

Teaching Integrative Extended Reading: Moving Beyond Misconceptions Toward Meaningful Practice

This workshop will introduce Integrative Extended Reading (IER) as a practical approach that seamlessly connects reading with speaking, writing, and research. Participants will learn how to overcome misconceptions, explore classroom-ready IER activities, and explore strategies to boost student motivation, engagement, and integrated skill development in language programs.

Presenter: Adil Bentahar, University of Delaware

The Value of International Recruitment Travel: our Partners' Perspectives

As travel budgets shrink, can virtual meetings replace face-to-face recruiting abroad? Drawing on insights from a 2025 Japan trip, this session amplifies the voices of international partners who reveal why personal connection, trust, and cultural understanding still matter and how in-person engagement sustains global partnerships that numbers alone can’t explain.

Presenter: Renee Rodriguez, American Language Institute, SDSU Global Campus

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Speakers

• Hiram Aguilar,  American Language Institute
  • ESP by Design: Language Learning for Industry and Community Impact
• Todd Beard,  English Language Institute,  UT- Knoxville
  • Portfolio Expansion for ELPs
• Adil Bentahar,  University of Delaware
  • Teaching Integrative Extended Reading: Moving Beyond Misconceptions Toward Meaningful Practice
• Robert Bushong,  Univerisity of Delaware
  • Adopting a Third-Party Placement Test
• John Catlett,  ELS Language Centers
  • Teaching Leadership to Lead Teaching
• Peter Coulam,  Kaplan
  • Assessment Equity: Ensuring Fairness Across Online and On-Campus Modes
• Amanda Dascomb,  English Language Institute,  UT- Knoxville
  • Portfolio Expansion for ELPs
• Sara Davila,  Educating Her World
  • Clone Yourself: What, Why, and How of an AI Twin
• Kaitlin Decker,  Arizona State University (ASU)
  • Bridging Gaps in Digital Accessibility Through Faculty Training
• Michele Drennan,  Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture
  • Connecting Students with the Community through Curricular Experiential Activities
• Mike Fields,  University of Delaware
  • Adopting a Third-Party Placement Test
• Christina Furtado,  GuardMe US
  • We Need to Talk: The Workplace Wellbeing Crisis
• Violet Gudkova,  Wisconsin English as a Second Language Institute (WESLI)
  • Gamify Speaking: Playful Practice for Confident Communication
• Kathleen F.  Kearney,  Georgetown University
  • Custom GPTs to Learn English and Digital Literacy
• Beata Keller,  UIC Tutorium
  • Faculty Members in Administration Roles: Successes and Lessons Learned
• Conan Kmiecik,  Qatar University
  • Showcases as Capstones: Authentic Project-based Assessment in ESL/EFL Programs
• David Lind,  Syracuse University
  • Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study
• Andy Mattingly,  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Facilitating Independent Learning through Artificial Intelligence
• Claire McLaughlin,  Global Launch
  • Engaging Prospective Students Through Live Online English Lesson Demonstrations
• Karl Millsom,  ICEF Academy
  • Developing a continuing professional development (CPD) plan for yourself and your team
• Jennifer Nolasco,  American Language Institute
  • ESP by Design: Language Learning for Industry and Community Impact
• Alissa Nostas,  Arizona State University
  • Bridging Gaps in Digital Accessibility Through Faculty Training
• Olga A Oganesyan,  Syracuse University
  • Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study
• David Patent,  Syracuse University
  • Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study
• Laura E Ray,  Old Dominion University English Language Center
  • Reimagining Short-Term Programs through Academic and Community Collaboration
• J.L. Rizzotti,  Posmardet
  • Hit Play: Using AI-Generated Music to Energize the Language Classroom
• Renee Rodriguez,  American Language Institute,  SDSU Global Campus
  • The Value of International Recruitment Travel: our Partners' Perspectives
• Caleb Schwarz,  Syracuse University
  • Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study
• Sue Shanley,  American Language Institute
  • ESP by Design: Language Learning for Industry and Community Impact
• Jeremy Slagoski,  Applied Language Institute
  • Human-Centered AI in English Language Education: A Layered-Modality Design Approach
• Shoshanna Starzynski,  Global Launch
  • Engaging Prospective Students Through Live Online English Lesson Demonstrations
• Kristina Talbi,  UIC Tutorium
  • Faculty Members in Administration Roles: Successes and Lessons Learned
• Jessica Teneoglu,  Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture
  • Connecting Students with the Community through Curricular Experiential Activities
• Emily Vandermade,  Commission on English Language Program Accreditation,  CEA
  • Assessing Student Learning Outcomes; Compliant Practices
• Vit Vanicek,  UIC Tutorium
  • Faculty Members in Administration Roles: Successes and Lessons Learned
• Heidi Vellenga,  Commission on English Language Program Accreditation,  CEA
  • Assessing Student Learning Outcomes; Compliant Practices
• Christine Voigt,  University of Florida English Language Institute
  • Beyond Language: Conveying Culture in English Language Programs

Click on the "Register Now" button in the blue box above!

Virtual Conference Policy 
All attendees and presenters must register for the conference.  Attendees cannot "share" a computer or login information, even at the same institution.  There are discounts available (see "pricing"). 

Refund/Cancellation Policy:
Registration fees are non-refundable. You may transfer your registration to a colleague in your program through February 26, 2026 (11:59 p.m.) ; Requests must be received in writing to info@englishusa.org.

Photography and Recording Policy:
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, EnglishUSA meetings and other activities constitute an agreement by the registrant to EnglishUSA's use and distribution (now and in the future) of the registrant's or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.