Interview
David Nunan
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On Presenting
How often do you give presentations at conferences every year? How long do you
give yourself to plan and research for the presentation?
I average around forty presentations at international conferences each year. That
doesn't mean a have 40 different presentations. I usually have around ten new
presentation each year, and offer these to conference organizers or whoever invites
me. So, in August, I gave around 26 presentations in five Latin American countries
over a three week period. However, there were only around six different topics that
were dealt with.
You gave a presentation at the JALT'99 Conference titled 'ELT in the New Millennium'.
Will technology play a major role in language learning?
David Nunan with Thomson Learning staff at the JALT'99 Annual Conference.
Technology is already having a big impact in some situations, but it will be many years
I think before every learner has access to technology.
On TESOL
What has been TESOL's biggest contributions to the ESL/EFL world?
I think it's done a great deal to professionalize the EFL/ESL world. It provides
wonderful professional development opportunities through the annual convention, the
TESOL academies, etc.. In the field of research, it has established the TESOL
International Research Foundation. Within the U.S. it does a great job of advocacy
for the profession. And it has done a great deal to develop and disseminate standards
for teaching and teacher education in the last 4 - 5 years.
What are your goals in your term as TESOL President?
I wanted to do more to internationalize the association. Being the first President
to run the organization from so far away from head office has been a real challenge.
On Leisure
Away from the educational field, how do you spend the remainder of your time?
What hobbies do you engage in?
What time? I receive up to 400 TESOL-related email every 24 hours - and these can
take me up to six hours to deal with!. Actually, if I get any free time I like to
paint - I'm an enthusiastic, but VERY amateur, watercolor artist.
How's life in Hong Kong for an expatriate? Have things changed significantly
after the 1997 hand-over?
No, life goes on - at breakneck speed!
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