EnglishUSA is a national association for English-language instructional programs in the U.S. that began in the late 1980s. Member organizations of EnglishUSA must meet certain English language-teaching accreditations, instructor requirements, and curriculum standards. EnglishUSA partners with several organizations including international study abroad programs such as the Argentine Study Abroad Association, as well as organizations such as Pearson and Cambridge University Press that provide learning materials. ^{1 2}

Background

EnglishUSA provides professional development opportunities and upholds professional program standards for more than 200 English language programs in the U.S. ³ EnglishUSA members must be accredited by one of several accreditation organizations including the Commission of English Language Accreditation, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, or one of the seven regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Member organizations must also maintain regularly employed teachers with at least a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or an equivalent training, as well as a written curriculm with measurable performance criteria. ⁴

History

In 1988, dozens of directors from English programs in the U.S. agreed to charter an official organization dedicated to representing English language programs that was called the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). In the early 1990s, AAIEP was working to institute quality standards for English education as well as liaising with international advisors and organizations. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, AAIEP provided members with updates as to the laws and policies related to the admission of international students and assisted members with implementing the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a government-mandated student tracking system. In 2012, AAIEP was rebranded and became EnglishUSA. ⁵

Programs

In 2022, EnglishUSA launched “Promoting and Supporting English Language Study in the U.S.A,” a three-year program funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) ⁶ which awarded more than $1.7 million to six industry groups to reduce international barriers to American products. ⁷

The organization also publishes the EnglishUSA Journal twice a year about the theory and practice of teaching English at the post-secondary level. Submissions are received by the EnglishUSA Professional Development Activities Committee and are evaluated by peer reviewers. ⁸

In addition to participating in national and international events, EnglishUSA hosts two conferences each year that are open to members and non-members. ⁹

Partners

EnglishUSA has several tiers of partner organizations. “Strategic affiliates” are associations that promote U.S. programs for learning English and include the Argentine Study Abroad Association, Brazilian Educational and Language Travel Association, and the Japanese Association of Overseas Studies. ¹⁰ “Strategic partners” are organizations that “ensure complementary and mutual support of each other’s missions,” including Bonard, an international education company, and the U.S. Commercial Service, a subcategory of the U.S. Department of Commerce. ¹¹ “Associate members” consists of companies and organizations that sponsor EnglishUSA conferences or contribute English learning materials, such as Pearson and Michigan Language Assessment, which provide language testing resources, as well as Cambridge University Press, National Geographic Learning, and Oxford University Press, which provide teaching and learning materials. ¹²

Leadership

Thomas Tyner is the president of EnglishUSA and is also the executive director of the American Language Program at California State University. He previously served as treasurer of EnglishUSA and was also on the executive board of University and College Intensive English Programs. He earned a Ph.D. from Georgia State University, a M.A. from George Washington University, and a B.A. from Wake Forest University. ¹³

The treasurer is Jackie McCafferty who is also the director of the Center for American Language & Culture at Temple University. ¹⁴ She is also a member of the “#YouAreWelcomeHere” national advisory board, ¹⁵ an organization and social media campaign spreading the message to international students that U.S. institutions are “diverse, friendly, safe, and committed to student development.” ¹⁶

1. “About Englishusa.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/About.
2. “Standards.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/Standards.
3. “About Englishusa.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/About.
4. “Standards.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/Standards.
5. “History.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/History.
6. “MDCP Award Project.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/mdcpenglishusa.
7. Delk-Le Good, Cheryl. “9.21.2022 Press Release.” EnglishUSA, September 21, 2021. https://www.englishusa.org/page/9212022PressRelease.
8. “Current Volume: Volume 9 (2024) Fall/Winter.” EnglishUSA Journal, 2023. https://surface.syr.edu/englishusa_journal/.
9. “Conferences and Events.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/ConferencesEvents.
10.  “Strategic Affiliates.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/StrategicAffiliates.
11. “Strategic Partners.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/StrategicPartners.
12. “Associate Members.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/AssociateMembers.
13. “2023 – 2024 Executive Board.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/23-24ExecutiveBoard/.
14. “2023 – 2024 Executive Board.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/23-24ExecutiveBoard/.
15. “2023 – 2024 Executive Board.” EnglishUSA. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.englishusa.org/page/23-24ExecutiveBoard/.
16. #YouAreWelcomeHere. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.youarewelcomehereusa.org/.