IATEFL Blog Guidelines

We welcome submissions for Views (the IATEFL blog). If you would like to write for us, please note the guidelines and suggestions below:

Guidelines

  • Posts should not be longer than 1,000 words.
  • They should include the contributor’s photo and a short bio
  • Instead of including images in the text, please send them separately, but don’t forget to clearly label them e.g. Image 1, Image 2, etc. State clearly in your text where you would like the images to appear, e.g. “Image 1 here”.
  • Don’t forget to quote the source of your images, so that they can be credited appropriately. Bear in mind that posts with images tend to be shared more.
  • If possible, each post should include a link to a resource with more information.

What to write about?

We are happy to help you come up with ideas for your post if you’re not entirely sure what to write about. You can also look at other posts on the blog for inspiration, or use some of the questions below to help you.

Individual members

  • Tell us a bit about you and your career.
  • What inspired you to join IATEFL initially?
  • How long have you been a member? How has the association changed over that time?
  • How would you summarise your experience of IATEFL?
  • Are you a(n active) member of a SIG? What made you choose it? What do you get out of it?
  • Do you work with any other teaching associations or organisations? What makes IATEFL different?
  • Can you share one activity, tip or resource that you’ve learnt about thanks to IATEFL? Why did you choose it?
  • Do you have any interesting stories to tell related to IATEFL? For example, from an event you’ve attended, a person you’ve met, or an idea you’ve used in the classroom.
  • Why would you recommend joining IATEFL?

Associates

  • What should readers know about your country? Are there any stereotypes you want to break for us?
  • What is a typical teaching situation in your country like- e.g. types of school/institution, class sizes, resources/support available.
  • What are the biggest challenges for English teachers in your country? / What are the biggest/most common areas of discussion?
  • What does your association do – what projects you are involved in, past and upcoming events, publishing resources, examples of ways you support members…
  • What have you got out of being a member of IATEFL (as an individual or as an association)?
  • Can you share one activity, tip or resource that you’ve learnt about thanks to being part of IATEFL? Why did you choose it? and/or Do you have an activity or resource connected to your country which readers could use?
  • Do you have any interesting stories to tell related to being a member of your association? For example, from an event you’ve attended, a person you’ve met, or an idea you’ve used in the classroom.
  • What plans does your association have for the future? Is there anything readers could get involved in?
  • How can people find out more? e.g. website, newsletter, social media, people to contact…

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

  • How would you summarise your SIG in less than 100 words?
  • What kind of things does your SIG do? e.g. past and upcoming online and offline events, publishing resources, examples of PCE themes…
  • What made you choose this SIG? What have you got out of being a member?
  • Can you share one activity, tip or resource that you’ve learnt about thanks to your SIG? Why did you choose it?
  • Do you have any interesting stories to tell related to your SIG? For example, from a SIG event you’ve attended, a person you’ve met, or an idea you’ve used in the classroom.
  • Why would you recommend your SIG?
  • How can people find out more? e.g. website, newsletter, social media, people to contact…

Conference stories

  • Which conference are your writing about? It doesn’t have to be the main IATEFL conference – it could also be an Associate or SIG conference.
  • Why did you choose to go to the conference?
  • Can you summarise the main theme(s) in less than 200 words?
  • Did you present? If so, what about?
  • Have you made any new friends? You both can write a blog.
  • Do you have any interesting stories from the conference?
  • What ideas, resources or activities did you find most interesting or useful at the conference?
  • When is the next similar conference happening?

Scholarship winners

  • Which scholarship did you win?
  • Why did you decide to apply for it?
  • What were the requirements of the scholarship?
  • How did it help you?
  • What did you gain from winning a scholarship?
  • Can you share one resource or idea you picked up as a result of winning your scholarship, or tips for future scholarship applicants?

IATEFL volunteers

  • What does your job entail? What does your committee do?
  • How did you get involved in IATEFL?
  • How has your role developed?
  • What are the upsides and downsides of your position?
  • How would you summarise your experience of IATEFL in less than 100 words?
  • What do you think blog readers would be particularly surprised to know about your position?

These are just some ideas and suggestions to help inspire you – you can write about something else if you like. The only restrictions are that you must be an IATEFL member (if you’re not, why not join us now?) and that our readers would benefit from your post. Other than that, the sky is the limit.

Please send your completed post to: [email protected]