Call for Proposals
Teachers Up is excited to invite pre-service and in-service English teachers, teacher trainers, researchers, teacherpreneurs, and education professionals to submit proposals for the National Conference 2026!

This year’s theme, Career Growth and Opportunities in ELT, aims to explore the many ways English teachers can grow professionally, expand their opportunities, and build meaningful and sustainable careers.
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Our goal is to feature as many voices as possible. Whether you're an experienced presenter or presenting for the first time, your insights matter. If you have a practice, idea, or project that others can learn from, we want to hear from you!

Conference Tracks:
Track 1: Professional Pathways for English Teachers
Topics may include:

• Leadership and career advancement in ELT
• Certifications and continuing professional development
• Alternative career pathways beyond the classroom
• Remote work and global teaching opportunities
• Professional networking and growth

Track 2: Entrepreneurship and Business Opportunities in ELT
Topics may include:

• Educational entrepreneurship and innovation
• Freelancing and independent teaching
• Online courses, tutoring, and educational services
• Monetizing professional expertise
• Building sustainable educational initiatives

Track 3: Professional Branding and Employability for English Teachers
Topics may include:

• Professional identity and visibility
• CVs, portfolios, and digital presence
• Networking and employability strategies
• Career readiness and communication skills
• Positioning yourself in competitive professional contexts

Track 4: Financial Wellness and Money Management for Educators
Topics may include:

• Financial literacy for educators
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Multiple income streams and financial sustainability
• Saving, investing, and long-term financial goals
• Financial wellbeing and stability

Session Types:
1. Roundtable Discussions (40 minutes): Smaller discussion-based sessions.
After briefly introducing the topic, the facilitator encourages participants to share experiences, ask questions, and exchange ideas. These sessions are informal and collaborative, ideal for exploring shared challenges and learning from one another. During the 40-minute period, participants are free to move between tables to join different discussions and gain a variety of perspectives.
Examples:

• Challenges of freelancing in ELT
• Balancing multiple income streams
• Becoming an educational entrepreneur in Central America

2. Teacherpreneur Showcase (40 minutes): Short presentations by teachers who:

• run businesses
• sell services
• teach online
• create content
• publish materials

Presenters walk participants through what they did, how it worked, and what others can learn or adapt from the experience. These sessions are informal, visual, and meant to spark inspiration across teaching contexts. Participants can move between showcase tables during the 40-minute session to explore multiple ideas and connect with various presenters.
3. Workshops (40 minutes): Best for hands-on learning and skill development. (Closed)
Examples:

• Building a LinkedIn profile for ELT professionals
• Creating your first online course
• Budgeting and financial planning for teachers
• How to start a tutoring business

4. Panel Discussions (40 minutes): Great for exposing participants to multiple career paths and experiences. (Closed)
Examples:

• “Careers Beyond the Classroom” panel
• English teachers working in corporate training, edtech, publishing, or international programs
• Freelancers and teacherpreneurs sharing their journeys

5. Lightning Talks (10 minutes): Short inspirational talks in which teachers, students, professionals, or leaders share their experiences, achievements, and lessons learned in the field of EFL. Aligned with the conference theme Career Growth and Opportunities in EFL, these 10-minute sessions aim to motivate participants by highlighting career pathways, professional development opportunities, leadership experiences, innovative practices, and personal success stories in English language teaching and learning. (Closed)
Examples:

• How I Built My Own Language Academy
• From Classroom Teacher to Academic Coordinator
• How Online Teaching Changed My Career

Speaker Benefits:

• Showcase your expertise to a community of dedicated professionals
• Network with fellow innovators in English language education
• Professional recognition in conference materials
• Certificate of appreciation as a conference presenter
  
  

Submission Guidelines:
To submit a proposal for any of the above sessions, you will need the following information:

1. Title: Choose a concise and descriptive title for your session (10 words maximum).
2. Abstract: Provide a brief overview (50 words maximum) of your presentation, workshop, or showcase, outlining the main objectives, key topics, and takeaways for participants.
3. Description: Clearly explain the content of your session, including the activities, materials, or technologies you plan to use (100 - 200 words).
4. Presenter Biography: Include a brief biography (75 words maximum) highlighting your expertise and experience in the field of English language teaching.

Proposal Guidelines & Key Dates

• Submit your proposal via the online form by June 5, 2026.
• Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis, with all notifications sent by June 6, 2026
• Accepted presenters must confirm participation and register for the conference by June 8, 2025
• You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your proposal. If you do not receive one, please follow up to ensure it was received.

Important: Confirmed presenters who do not show up to present without giving at least 48 hours' notice will be banned from presenting at any Teachers Up conference for the next two years. Please honor your commitment and allow others the opportunity to share if you are unable to attend.

Questions?
Email us at [email protected].

Submit a Proposal

Deadline: June 5, 2026

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Disclaimer: This project was funded  by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.