ELLSA 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
2025 ELLSA CONFERENCE
MARCH 1-2, 2025
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEIJING
Empowering Multilingual Classrooms
ELLSA 2025 @ ISB
Thank you for your interest in attending the ELLSA 2025 conference. We are thrilled to host the 9th annual ELLSA conference for the first time in China, at the International School of Beijing on March 1-2, 2025.
Theme: Empowering Multilingual Classrooms
Activating Thinking and Growing Academic Language
Collaborating in Teaching and Learning
Leveraging Translanguaging Pedagogies
What is ELLSA?
English Language Learning Specialists in Asia (ELLSA) was established in 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, by a group of educators from NIST International School. ELLSA aims to create a space for teachers to share best practices for multilingual learners in Asia. Over the years, it has grown into a dynamic community with a mission to advocate for equitable practices for multilingual learners.
2024 ELLSA
in Numbers
268 attendees
14 countries
65 schools
30 speakers
2 keynotes
3 featured speakers
Why Attend ELLSA?
Open to all, ELLSA is a special event on the professional development calendar for English language learning specialists, offering in-depth professional learning on all-things-EAL.
ELLSA conferences have welcomed researchers, authors, and experts in language acquisition and multilingual learning as keynote speakers. Past keynotes have included:
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Dr. Virginia Rojas
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Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld
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Dr. Pauline Gibbons
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Beth Skelton
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Tan Huynh
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Jon Nordmeyer
And of course, the highlight of every conference are workshop sessions facilitated by teacher practitioners from international schools around the region, keeping ELLSA what it is truly meant to be – created for teachers by teachers.
We look forward to once again providing a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from past conferences, create new connections, and gain valuable and practical insights that will move our profession forward.
Welcome to Beijing!
北京欢迎您!
Meet the 2025 ELLSA KEYNOTE & FEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Kate Seltzer
Dr. Kate Seltzer is an Associate Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education at Rowan University. A former high school English teacher in New York City, Dr. Seltzer currently teaches pre- and in-service teachers of multilingual students. She is co-author of the book, The Translanguaging Classroom: Leveraging Student Bilingualism for Learning as well as many book chapters and articles in journals such as Research in the Teaching of English, TESOL Quarterly, and Teaching and Teacher Education. She also supports schools and teachers to develop translanguaging stances and implement translanguaging pedagogies through professional development.
Jon Nordmeyer
Jon Nordmeyer is co-director of the Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and previously served as the WIDA International Program Director. He co-edited the book Integrating Language and Content and has written for International Schools Journal, Educational Leadership, Current Issues in Comparative Education, Teachers College Record and Global Education Review. Jon’s work focuses on professional collaboration to improve equity for multilingual learners, and global research-practice partnerships to support school improvement.
Dr. Ying Chu, ISB Head of Dual Language
Dr. Ying Chu is the Head of the Dual Language Program at the International School of Beijing. A seasoned research practitioner and innovative educational program leader, Dr. Chu specializes in asset-based bilingual program implementation and evaluation, along with expertise in culturally and linguistically responsive practices. She holds a Master of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University, and earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. With over a decade of experience in instruction, research, and leadership roles at reputable international schools in the region and renowned institutions in New York City, Dr. Chu is dedicated to exploring and expanding thinking, blending theory with practice, and fostering a culture of transformational change and continuous improvement in international schools.
