Professional Development Conference (PDC) 2026
Virtual
18th Annual EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference (PDC)
Join us online for the 18th Annual EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference (PDC)—a dynamic virtual gathering that brings together English language professionals from across the country and around the world. Our recent virtual events have created an incredible buzz, and this year’s conference promises even more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas that move our field forward.
Centered on the theme “Connecting Communities,” this year’s PDC celebrates the creativity, resiliency, and collaboration that define the English language education community. Through engaging sessions, interactive discussions, and open forums, participants will explore innovative approaches to teaching, leadership, student services, and program management while sharing best practices and fresh ideas that strengthen our collective impact.
Whether you’re an instructor, administrator, or industry partner, the EnglishUSA PDC is your opportunity to learn, share, and grow—together.
Session Topics include (detailed information coming soon):
- Adopting a Third-Party Placement Test
- AI-Powered Literacy: Innovating Reading and Writing Instruction
- Assessment Equity: Ensuring Fairness Across Online and On-Campus Modes
- Beyond Language: Conveying Culture in English Language Programs
- Bridging Gaps in Digital Accessibility Through Faculty Training
- Clone Yourself: What, Why, and How of an AI Twin
- Connecting Students with the Community through Curricular Experiential Activities
- Custom GPTs to Learn English and Digital Literacy
- Developing a continuing professional development (CPD) plan for yourself and your team
- Engaging Prospective Students Through Live Online English Lesson Demonstrations
- ESP by Design: Language Learning for Industry and Community Impact
- Facilitating Independent Learning through Artificial Intelligence
- Faculty Members in Administration Roles: Successes and Lessons Learned
- Gamify Speaking: Playful Practice for Confident Communication
- Hit Play: Using AI-Generated Music to Energize the Language Classroom
- Human-Centered AI in English Language Education: A Layered-Modality Design Approach
- Leveraging Partnerships through a Humanities Center Grant: A Case Study
- Portfolio Expansion for ELPs
- Re-imagining Short-Term Programs through Academic and Community Collaboration
- Showcases as Capstones: Authentic Project-based Assessment in ESL/EFL Programs
- Teaching Integrative Extended Reading: Moving Beyond Misconceptions Toward Meaningful Practice
- Teaching Leadership to Lead Teaching
- The Value of International Recruitment Travel: our Partners' Perspectives
- We Need to Talk: The Workplace Wellbeing Crisis
Call for Proposals Is Now Open!
Due December 5, 2025
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:
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Curriculum Development
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Innovative Programming
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Student Services
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Leadership & Management
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Marketing & Student Recruitment
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Professional Development for Faculty & Staff
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Student Assessment
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Standards, Regulations & Compliance
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Teaching Techniques
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Workplace Well-Being
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AI in Teaching, Learning, and Administration
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Partnerships
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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.
Conference Registration and Substitutions:
All presenters must commit to register for and attend EnglishUSA’s Professional Development Conference. Speaker substitutions are not permitted except in the case of emergencies and are subject to approval by EnglishUSA.
Session Rooms:
EnglishUSA PDC sessions will be 50 minutes in length (including Q & A). We will be using Zoom; each presenter will be responsible for providing a Zoom link (meeting format).
| Early Bird Rate Registration Ends 2/13/26 at 11:59 PM EST |
Early Bird 10/22 - 2/13 |
| PDC 2026 Member Ticket Early Bird ticket for members only. |
$95 |
| PDC 2026 3 or More Member Ticket You must elect a quantity of 3 or more for pricing to reflect $75 each. Selecting one or two will not reflect pricing correctly. |
$75 |
| PDC 2026 Non-Member Ticket Early Bird ticket for non-members only. |
$130 |
| Regular Rate Begins 2/14/26 at 12:00 AM EST |
Early Bird 10/22 - 2/13 |
| PDC 2026 Member Ticket Regular ticket for members only. |
$115 |
| PDC 2026 3 or More Member Ticket You must elect a quantity of 3 or more for pricing to reflect $75 each. Selecting one or two will not reflect pricing correctly. |
$95 |
| PDC 2026 Non-Member Ticket Regular ticket for non-members only. |
$150 |
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
Registration fees are non-refundable. You may transfer your registration to a colleague in your program through January 27, 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.
