TESOL SPAIN 36th Annual Convention.

Convention Feedback Seville, 2013.

Dear TESOL-SPAIN Members,

This year we had another overwhelming number of participants attending an event held outside Madrid at our 36th TESOL-SPAIN Annual National Convention, Teaching with Technology and the Human Touch, in Seville (March 8th-10th, 2013) with over 650 participants, not including all those working in the exhibition area. Although this is Spain’s National Convention we had participants from all over the world with people coming from as far away as Alicante, Amsterdam, Asturias, Badajoz, Benidorm, the Canary Islands, Gerona, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Sitges, the UK, the USA and Vizcaya! No matter where you’re from or where you live, let me recommend you to listen to the following song: “These Streets” by Paolo Nutini. The corridors certainly seemed more like streets at times, thronged with so many participants. A big thank you to all, particularly to Katya Kowalski, the volunteer coordinator and Alix Treguenza (chief corridor usher), who was almost permanently on guard upstairs, and to the many volunteers without whom the Facultad de Filología would have seemed even more of a maze than it really is. Here I would also like to thank personally Gerry Lerner and his technical team - Bob, Jay, Mike, and Kate (aka the “Pink Lady”), for doing a great job on the technical side; once again those corridors seemed like streets!

GENERAL COMMENTS FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS.

93 convention feedback forms were handed in from the total of 650+ conference participants.

Below, you will find a breakdown of your answers from the convention feedback forms, with a few of my comments alongside. Please note that when percentages do not add up to 100%, it means we have received questionnaires where some questions are unanswered or some answers are ambiguous. 1. My general feeling/impression of the Convention was:

1 – Positive/Nice = 93.5%

2 - Acceptable = 6.5%

3 – Negative = 0

As Convention Coordinator I am extremely happy with these results as they reflect my overall impression, too. However, as always, there is room for improvement and lessons to be learnt.

2. My registration process was:

1 - Easy 76%

2 – OK 15%

3 - Problematic 3%

This is our fourth year with on-line registration, and the process was pretty smooth thanks to the hard work of Tammi Santana and her team. On the feedback form we did not specify any differences between on-site and online registration. Thanks to those on the registration desk over the convention. However, we will do our best to solve the problems 3% of participants encountered, whether they were on-site or pre-registration.

3. I found about the Convention through:

1. Internet 14%

2. Word of Mouth 32%

3 TESOL-SPAIN 30%

3. Work 22%

4. Other 2%*

Again it’s somewhat ambiguous (i.e. if through TESOL-SPAIN means through the internet: webpage/e-Newsletter) *University of Seville (1 person said directly from Tammi!)

Although the sources are quite varied, the different percentages show that we need to rely on different channels of communication in order to reach members and non-members.

4. Not many people attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) but of those who did:

14% found it of interest

5% found it OK

5. Travel Agency services were hardly used.

6. I found the quality of the presentations:

1 - High 77% (one person added “Great!”)

2 - Acceptable 14%

3 - Low 0%

TESOL-SPAIN’s Speaker Coordinators will explain your comments on the talks in more detail in their report. We are really proud that most of you enjoyed the presentations and found them useful –‘being practical sessions’ is what you have valued the most- and although the percentages do not add up, no one circled Low Quality. In any case, we will do our best to keep on improving and cater for all your needs and tastes.

7. There were a mixture of debutant TESOL-SPAIN participants and those who have been to other TESOL-SPAIN conventions.

8. To this question “Would you come again?”

Only one person answered “I don’t know!

9. I found the organization of the Conference:

1 - Efficient 91% 2 - OK 9%

3 – Inefficient 0%

The convention was a great success with brilliant speakers, and I am extremely happy to see that 91% of the participants were satisfied with the organization. We’ll keep working to improve on the few things that are not 100% satisfactory.

10. For future conventions I suggest…

(Please find below some of the comments included in the convention feedback forms):

 Send directions on how to arrive and register beforehand.

 Shorter sessions

 Later starting times

 More talks focusing on business students, adults, professionals

 Clearer sign posting. (We made extra ones, but they didn’t all get put up ; we’ll keep them for next year.)

 More in the middle: Cáceres, Madrid

 Include a map in the folder (Eco friendly convention – but there were hundreds of maps of Seville on the information desk for those who needed one)

 Room coordinators to put up “Session Full” signs/have a late arrivals cut off point (after 10/15 min.)

 Talks online for those who can’t make it (see e-Newsletter links and this year’s Proceedings)

 A left luggage room service (there was one but perhaps not publicised enough   Pen drive = great idea!

 Bear in mind people with mobility difficulties (there was a lift but not sure if that was enough – sorry!)

 Fab – central venue always good/ come back to this venue

 Very efficient/Excellent!

 ¡Los voluntaries locales – estupendos!

 Wonderful Conference!

 Thanks for the cocktail!

 Keep up the good work!

11. I would like to be more involved in TESOL-Spain:

YES 34

As a non-profit entity we are always in need of helping hands. YOU are TESOL- SPAIN„ the board only manages issues on your behalf. I can assure you that collaborating in a volunteer project like this one with a common aim is a very gratifying experience and puts into practice (teaching with) technology and the human touch.

I do hope to see many of you next year at the convention in Madrid. If you would like to contact me about the past convention, do not hesitate to write to me at [email protected] . If you would like information about the next convention, please contact Mª Antonia Castro and/or Silvia Benitez at [email protected]

Karen McDonald

2013 Convention Coordinator