ATESL Mission Statement

The Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL) is a professional organization that promotes the highest standards of teaching and English language program provision for all learners in Alberta whose first language is other than English. We do this by:

• encouraging and providing professional development opportunities that are consistent with generally accepted principles of adult learning and with currently understood principles of second language learning and teaching;
• liaising with other organizations, local, provincial, national, and international, engaged in education;
• creating awareness about immigration, settlement of immigrants, and English language learning by communicating with government, business, and the general public;
• encouraging awareness of issues of accountability and program standards by communicating with English language program providers and learners;
• encouraging the highest standards of teacher preparation and performance by administering an ESL teacher accreditation process;
• working collaboratively with government to develop policies and procedures which govern the provision of English language programs and related services for immigrants to Canada;

encouraging and supporting the participation of learners in the decision-making processes that determine their educational choices.