Letter from the Past Chair

CALL-IS: Reflections on 2024–2025 and Vision for 2025–2026

Minsun Kim, Past Chair, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

As we look back on 2024–2025, we are pleased with our progress, enhancing our visibility, growing our membership, and increasing engagement through various activities. Our TechTalks, a webinar series, hosted nine knowledgeable speakers from seven different nations who shared their cutting-edge insights on the use of technology in language education. At TESOL 2025, we held an open meeting, an academic session, two intersection sessions with other interest groups, and a networking lounge where our members and leadership team represented CALL-IS. Our membership increased significantly from 430 to 525 as a result of these efforts.

For 2025–2026, we continue to align our efforts with TESOL’s strategic priorities by emphasizing member engagement and visibility. TechTalks launched in June with the help of world-renowned English educator Nik Peachey. Future sessions will explore relevant topics such as AI integration in ELT, virtual reality in ESP courses, and gamification using tools like Canva. To promote wider involvement and ongoing discussion, these sessions will be shared via our social media platforms, including YouTube.

We are also happy to welcome Dr. Haiyan Li, our Chair-Elect and several newly elected Steering Committee members who are helping CALL-IS improve our online engagement and strengthen our on-site presence at TESOL 2026. Ty Climer, our Community Manager, is actively updating myTESOL with resources and information to promote stronger community connection and communication.

Dr. Michael Winans, our new Newsletter Editor, is already bringing fresh perspectives to our communications. Our current Chair, Raquel Elisa Rosas Rivero, is planning a new series of online events that will provide additional chances for member participation and engagement. As Past Chair, I submitted a hands-on workshop proposal on emerging technologies in language education on behalf of CALL-IS for TESOL 2026. We are currently awaiting the results and anticipate providing updates soon.

Thank you for your continued support. With all of you, I look forward to another productive year of creativity, teamwork, and international interaction.

Minsun Kim is a senior lecturer in the PLaCE program at Purdue University, holding a PhD in English from Purdue. With over a decade of experience teaching second language learners, her research focuses on second language writing in multilingual and multicultural contexts and AI-assisted writing.