Upcoming Events
January, 2023
Panama TESOL and Universidad de Panamá – Facultad de Humanidades cordially invite you to participate in our
Summer INSTITUTE 2023 *Inspiring Innovation in ELT*
When? January 23rd – 27st, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (GMT-5 Panama time)
Where? Online via Zoom
How much? $60, includes certificate of participation (40 hrs)

November
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
Providing Effective Feedback in the ESL classroom By Dr. Melanie Kerschner
When: November 17, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. (GMT-5 Panama time) Are you outside Panama? Convert to your local time https://www.timeanddate.com
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free! However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Melanie Kerschner has been a lecturer at the University of Salzburg (Austria) in the Department of English Linguistics where she studied English and Italian. After finishing her PhD (on the role of news culture in the opinion discourse of British, German and Italian quality papers), she started teaching at the Centre for Business Languages and Intercultural Communication (Zentrum für Fachsprachen und Interkulturelle Kommunikation) at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz (Austria) where she is teaching Business English, as well as English pronunciation, speaking skills, linguistics and didactics.
Her research interests lie primarily in language teaching and sociolinguistics, especially the role of feedback and error correction in language learning, linguistic diversity due to differing cultural backgrounds, language change in contact languages and pidgin and creole studies in general. Further areas of interest include corpus linguistics and media linguistics, particularly the contrastive analysis of newspaper articles in diverging linguistic and sociocultural contexts. Her publications include the monographs Laik vs. Klostu – Current and historical changes in Tok Pisin’s time-mood-aspect system: the increasing complexity of Tok Pisin’s TMA markers (2012) and Fifty Shades of Opinion: Culturally Induced Style Differences in the Opinion Discourse of British, Italian and German Quality Papers (2017), as well as several articles on foreign language teaching and culture-induced style differences in press coverage.
E-Mail: melanie.kerschner@jku.at
Access Code: UX.Ji2$+
October
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION – OPEN Free asynchronous training opportunity
When: From October 24 to November 28, 2022. (GMT-5 Bogota time) Are you outside Panama? Convert to your local time https://www.timeanddate.com
Where: Online, asynchronous sessions.
How much: Free, certificates and digital badges are issued by the U.S. Department of State ONLY for those who pass the course.

We’re excited to announce that the Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy in Panama is accepting applications to participate in the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program. The OPEN Program offers FREE asynchronous professional development MOOC course developed by U.S. universities on topics such as English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), TESOL Methodology, Professional Development for Teacher Trainers, and Integrating Critical Thinking into the Classroom.
English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) designed to introduce you to the theory and practice of teaching disciplinary content in English. This course will provide you with the tools to re-develop your existing courses or create new ones that use English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI).Materials include engaging videos, practical readings, and opportunities for collaboration within the course and in your institutions. You will identify challenges that faculty and students encounter in EMI classes and develop strategies for successfully helping students learn course content while simultaneously building or refining their English skills. In addition, you will gain confidence in teaching in English while you also become more comfortable using pedagogies that are interactive and focus on student learning. Topics include course design, syllabi development, lesson and materials creation, teaching interactively in English, and supporting learning through technology.
- Explain the goals, key concepts, challenges, benefits, and current methods in teaching and assessing disciplinary content in English.
- Identify student needs as they learn disciplinary content in English.
- Use effective approaches and techniques appropriate for non-native English-speaking students in EMI courses.
- Design lessons that support students’ development of English alongside their learning of course content.
- Develop or revise a syllabus and assessments for teaching your disciplinary content in English.
- Develop yourself professionally in the field of EMI by participating in an international online learning community and preparing an action or training plan to share your new knowledge and skills with other EMI professionals in your local community.
For more information: Juan Carlos Rivera, riverajc3@fan.gov
July
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
Digital Storytelling: A Multiliteracy Approach to Learn English as a New Language (ENL)
by Dr. Juan A. Ríos Vega
When: July 28, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. (GMT-5 Bogota time) Are you outside Panama? Convert to your local time https://www.timeanddate.com
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free!
However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Juan A. Ríos Vega, Ph.D., was born and raised in Panama where he obtained a BA’s in English (1995) and Education (1998) at the University of Panama. Dr. Ríos earned a Master’s of education in Curriculum and Teaching with Emphasis in English as a Second Language (ESL) from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2006); received National Board Certification in English as a New Language/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood in 2009; received his doctorate in Philosophy in Educational Studies, Cultural Studies Concentration from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2014), Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate and North Carolina Principal License (2014). For over 16 years, Dr. Ríos taught English as a Second Language to middle and high school immigrant and refugee students from México, Central American, African, and Asian countries in North Carolina public school systems. His areas of research include: English Language Acquisition, Multicultural Education, Critical Race Theory, Latino/a Critical Theory, and Social Justice in Education. In 2015, he published his first book Counterstorytelling Narratives of Latino Teenage Boys: From Vergüenza to Échale Ganas. In 2020, Dr. Ríos published High School Latinx Counternarratives: Experiences in School and Post-graduation. This book was selected as one of the 2021 Critics Choice Awards Books by the American Educational Studies Association (AESA). Currently, Dr. Ríos is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Leadership, and Counseling at Bradley University.
Access Code: Stories2022!
June
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
Captivating Students On-site or Online via Collaborative Techtools
by Olenka Villavicencio C.
When: June 23, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free!
However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Ms. Villavicencio is a highly experienced EFL, BE educator and teacher trainer. She holds a degree in Education, in Computer Sciences, a diploma in ICT Education, MA in Education Management at USIL, and international certifications. As well as teaching, she is keen on sharing her expertise in national and international ELT conferences in the USA, France, Panama, Santo Domingo, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, etc. Currently working at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), TESOL CALL-IS Committee Steering Leader and as a freelance consultant.
Access Code: .xq09WRq
May
Panama TESOL and iTEP invite you to participate in the workshop
Language Use: The Role of Pragmatics in the L2 Classroom
by Christine Pallumbo and Sandy Nguyen from iTEP
When: May 26, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free!
However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Chrissy Palumbo, iTEP International’s Academic Director earned her PhD from the University of Arizona Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) interdisciplinary program, and master’s degrees in Applied Linguistics from the University of Maryland and the University of Arizona minoring in Teacher Training in Education (TTE). Chrissy served as an EL Fellow in Panama from 2009-2011 training and traveling around the country of Panama working with hundreds of Panamanian English teachers including the Access microscholarship program. She was the Project Manager of CELI during her Fellowship which is still thriving as an English Language Center in Panama City. Christine has developed pre- and in-service teacher development programs in the United States, Asia, Africa, Central, and South America and has been a second language and foreign language consultant, teacher educator, and international trainer. Her research interests include macro assessment, second-language assessment, and the role of first language and culture in society.
Access Code: Pragmatics1!
April
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
Learn more, study less: Benefits of microlearning
by Giselle Donalicio
When: April 21st, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free!
However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Giselle A. Donalicio C. is a Professor of English Literature at Quality Leadership University. She is the curriculum designer for the Literature undergraduate program at Universidad del Itsmo and also a high school English professor at Balboa Academy. She received a B.A. degree in Humanities with emphasis in English from The University of Panama and Specialty certificate of Higher Education from Universidad del Istmo. She has also specialized in Coaching and Personal Leadership from Universitat de Barcelona and completed a master’s in applied Linguistics – TESOL. She has been active in the areas of learning and development for over 8 years. Her international experience includes programs and consultancies in the US Embassy Peace Corps in Panamá, Universidad del Itsmo, and ELS Language Center. Her current performance highlights and interest involve collaborative learning, didactics, and digital content creation.
Access Code: Benefits1!
March
Panama TESOL invites you to participate in the workshop
Simple and doable strategies to remain effective and in love with teaching
by Monica Leon – Panama TESOL President
When: March 17th, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 100% virtual via zoom
How much: Free!
However, in order to get a certificate of participation the cost is $15

Monica León is an active researcher, regularly researching about the students’ perception regarding effective English teachers and staying up to date with global educational trends. She is currently the English Programs Director at Quality Leadership University, she is also a University professor, she teaches Principles of Management for the Undergrads and English Grammar for teachers at the Masters in Linguistics at QLU. But her true passion and calling is to teach English as a foreign language.
As a passionate for leadership and learning, Ms. León holds an MBA from FIU, an MHRM from the University of Louisville, a Masters in applied linguistics with and specialization in TESOL from QLU and a specialization in University Management and Leadership from the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.
Access Code: Tesol2022!