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Wednesday, November 4th: Pre-Conference Workshop

Pre-Conference Workshop: Finding Opportunity: Future-Proofing English Language Programs with AI

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:00 pm ET

More information here

Are you attending the workshop or arriving Wednesday afternoon/early evening? Do you live in the DMV area?  Come to Theismann's Restaurant (1800A Diagonal Rd.) near the hotel/King St. Metro for a casual, no-host happy hour/dinner at 6:00pm.  Board members will have reserved tables (TBD).  

Thursday, November 5th: Annual Conference

Registration, Breakfast, & Networking (7:45 - 8:30 am)

Welcome & Opening Remarks & 40th Year Anniversary Remarks (8:30 - 9:25 am)

Join us for opening remarks as we kick off our 40th year of our Annual Conference with opening remarks by Mary Reeves.

Session #1: Advocacy in Action: Moving Forward Together: Leadership from EnglishUSA, TESOL, Alliance for International Exchange, U.S. for Success Coalition, NAFSA (9:30 - 10:30 am)

Coffee Break (10:30 - 10:45 am)


Concurrent Session #2a: Language Programs as AI Literacy Labs: Preparing Learners as Responsible Designers for an AI-Mediated World (10:45 - 11:45 am)

This session presents a transferable instructional model that embeds AI literacy into a first-year academic English course through scaffolded classroom activities and chatbot design. Participants examine student chat transcripts, chatbot projects, and implementation strategies that cultivate intercultural communication, ethical reasoning, and responsible AI design.

Concurrent Session #2b: From Language Center to Strategic Partner: Developing an Innovative Bridge Program  (10:45 - 11:45 am)

Leveraging the university’s enrollment and retention priorities, this language center transformed its highest-level conditional admission pathway into a full admission Bridge Program combining university coursework with studio support classes. Panelists will share its development, implementation, lessons learned, and the value of campus-wide collaboration in advancing institutional goals.

Lunch & Networking - Table Topics (11:45- 12:45 pm)

Grab your lunch from the buffet, find the table of your choice, and engage in a discussion on one of the topics below.  Feel free to get up and move around during the hour. 

Session #3: From Data to Direction: Navigating What’s Next: Global ELT Market Research from Bonard and English Language Program representatives (12:45 - 1:45 pm)

The global English language and study abroad market is shifting rapidly amid policy changes, evolving student mobility patterns, economic pressures, and changing student preferences. Drawing on BONARD’s global and U.S. market data alongside insights from ETS, this session will examine how the U.S. compares with other major ELT destinations, where international students are going, what is influencing their decisions, and how demand is changing across key source markets. Presenters will explore the latest trends, emerging opportunities, and the implications for U.S. English language programs, helping ELP leaders understand their position within an increasingly competitive global landscape and identify where future opportunities may lie.

Concurrent Session #4a: Transformative Power of Self Study: Evidence-Based Benefits for Programs, People, and the Profession (2:00 - 3:00 pm)

Based on analysis of data from over 500 reports submitted to Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) as part of the accreditation process, this session highlights how the self-study process has benefits above and beyond the required report produced as a key step in the accreditation process.

    • Rachel Herman, Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA)
    • Emily Vandermade, Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA)

Concurrent Session #4b: Embracing Change: Designing Flexible Short-Term Programs to Expand Access (2:00 - 3:00 pm)

Trying to meet the ever-increasing demand for short-term courses through one-time customized programming is unsustainable. Drawing on lessons learned from developing a synchronous online program for learners with visual impairment, we explore how adaptable short-term programs can expand student access, respond to emerging opportunities, and build sustainable frameworks.

Coffee Break (3:00 - 3:15 pm)

Session #5: Doing It All with Less: Priorities, Partnerships & Program Resilience (3:15 - 4:15 pm)

Navigating a landscape of budget and staffing cuts, new policies, and shifting student enrollment, programs must be adaptable while maintaining efficiency. How do we “do it all, with less?” This session will have participants interactively explore how to transition roles, prioritize offerings and resources, and seek out partnerships.

Short Break (4:15 - 4:20 pm)

Session #6: Assessing What’s Next: Trends, Tools & Perspectives for English Language Programs: Experts from the major assessment companies including IELTS, Trinity, Pearson, LangCert, Duolingo, iTEP, and ETS TOEFL  (4:20- 5:30 pm)

What’s changing in English language assessment—and what should ELPs be watching? This fast-paced, interactive session brings together experts from leading assessment providers to share perspectives on emerging trends, evolving testing needs, new tools and innovations, and what they’re seeing across the field. Through brief insights and lively discussion, panelists will explore what these developments mean for English language programs as they plan for what’s next.

Reception (5:30 - 7:30 pm)

Located at Hilton King Street, 1767 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Friday, November 5th: Annual Conference

Registration, Breakfast, & Networking (7:30 - 8:15 am)

Opening Remarks (8:15 - 8:30 am)

Join us for opening remarks on day two of the conference.

Session #7: Quality Matters--Strengthening Educational Programs and Operations  (8:30 - 9:30 am)

As English language programs navigate a rapidly changing environment, a strong foundation of quality matters more than ever. Leaders from ACCET and CEA will share perspectives on emerging issues, accreditation trends, and the role of quality assurance in helping programs adapt, strengthen operations, and engage in structured planning for what’s ahead. The session will also provide an opportunity to hear directly from both accreditors about compliance challenges in times of uncertainty  and what programs should be thinking about now.

Break (9:30 - 9:45 am)

Session #8: Leveraging Marketing Intelligence: Leadership from IIE, ITA and EducationUSA (9:45 - 10:45 am)

How can English language programs make better-informed decisions about where and how to recruit internationally? Leaders from IIE’s Open Doors, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, and the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA network will share the market intelligence, data, and on-the-ground insights their organizations provide. Panelists will highlight key resources for understanding student mobility and priority markets, identifying recruitment opportunities, and tracking changing conditions around the world. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to leverage these complementary resources to inform recruitment strategy and strengthen their programs’ international reach

Coffee Break (10:45 - 11:00 am)

Concurrent Session #9a: Showing your Work: ESL Assessment in the AI Age (11:00 - 12:00 pm)

AI assessment experts now recommend innovating learning assessment by making thinking observable; emphasizing process over product; requiring specific, local, or personal responses; being explicit about AI use; and more. Participants will share and learn how they are adapting ESL assessments in response to the continuing advancement of AI.

Concurrent Session #9b: Keeping the Flame Alive: Effective Institution-Agency Partnerships during Challenging Times (11:00 - 12:00 pm)

As international enrollment management (IEM) faces unprecedented and multifaceted headwinds, maintaining effective partnerships with trusted recruitment agency partners is more important than ever. This session explores why and how strategic IEM teams and their agencies can work together to keep the collaborative flame alive through the storm, and emerge stronger on the other side. Participants will learn best practices from AIRC survey data and established experts from the agency and institutional perspectives.

Lunch & Networking - Table Topics (12:00 - 1:00 pm)

Grab your lunch from the buffet, find the table of your choice, and engage in a discussion on one of the topics below.  Feel free to get up and move around during the hour.

Concurrent Session #10: Crisis Communication for English Language Programs: Navigating Policy Uncertainty (1:00 - 2:15 pm)

This session demonstrates how English language program leaders prepare for and respond to policy uncertainty through effective crisis communication. Presenters provide practical frameworks for planning, communicating with stakeholders, and protecting institutional credibility while helping participants build resilience amid changing visa, enrollment, and regulatory environments.

Break (2:15 - 2:30 pm)

Session #11: Stronger Together: Associations Supporting the Field with Leadership from EnglishUSA, TESOL, NAFSA, AIRC, and UCIEP (2:30 - 3:45 pm)

Wrap Up & Closing Remarks (3:45 - 4:00 pm)