NYS TESOL Special Interest Groups (SIG)

Call for Student Essays

Essay Contest Flyer PDF | Download and share!

SIG Leaders of NYS TESOL host an Annual Student Essay contest on a given theme, typically divided by Grades 4-8, Grades 9-12 and University and Adult.

We are pleased to present our 5th Annual Essay Contest, our theme being “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Participants:
Essay contest is open to any current or former English language learner in the following categories:

• Students in grades 4-8
• Students in grades 9-12
• Students in university (this includes students enrolled in intensive English programs, adult education, community colleges, and graduate students)

Essay Context:

Chinese Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu once said that
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

• Students in grades 4-8:
  Describe you journey in learning English. Give some examples.
  
  
• Students in grades 9-12:
  Describe in your own words the ways in which your language and culture journey in English resembles that of a ‘thousand miles.’ Give examples.
  
  
• Students in university:
  Describe you journey in learning English and focus your description on the challenges you faced and the ways in which you met and solved those challenges. Offer specific examples where needed.

Submission Guidelines

• Please respond in a typed essay of 250 or fewer words
• Submit all responses...
  
  • by Email to Liontas@fredonia.edu as an attachment and in the e-mail body to or
  • by US mail to Essay Contest, c/o Dr. John I. Liontas, Department of Language, Learning and Leadership, College of Education, State University of New York at Fredonia, E278 Thompson Hall, Fredonia, NY 14063.
• Include on each submission the student’s name, grade, and phone number; school’s name, address, phone number; and teacher’s name and e-mail
  
• Submissions must be received by June 25, 2010 via US mail e-mail.
• Only typed essays will be accepted.