Special Interest Groups

We at ETAS believe that a professional organisation is only as good as it cares for its members and their professional needs. That is why we have a broad selection of Special Interest Groups (SIG) that put forward specific offers for their members.

Are you interested in developing your professional expertise or finding out more information in your field of English language teaching? Please feel free to take a look at our Special Interest Groups and connect.

Business English

The Business English special interest group (BESIG) seeks to bring together all current and new ETAS business group members to share ideas and keep updated on the latest ETAS events in Switzerland and beyond.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining BESIG, please email your BESIG Coordinator Markus Dietz at business@e-tas.ch.

Drama and literature

The Drama and Literature SIG aims to promote and support the use of literature and drama activities, drama in education, and related teaching (and research) strategies in English language teaching.

Independent Teachers SIG

ETAS would like to hear from teachers who own their own school, work independently, or give private lessons. The new Independent Teachers Team is creating a data base with names and other voluntary details in order to find ways to share ideas, challenges, and successes. Click on the survey in the "Read More" section below to join this group. ETAS will be in touch with each teacher individually. Stay tuned to this page as we slowly begin this journey together.

Learning technologies

Technology, used to both assist and enhance language learning, has played an important role among English language learners and teachers.

The Learning Technologies special interest group (SIG) aims to provide a space where teachers can reflect on and share new ideas about using technology in language learning. The SIG's objective is not only to keep teachers up to date on new trends in digital learning but also to encourage those still reluctant to integrate these tools with their students.

Sustainability

Helping ELT professionals embrace awareness, critical thinking, and action around sustainability is the key focus of this ETAS group. Education is an essential factor in addressing climate change (United Nations).

The Sustainability SIG has two main objectives:

to support and facilitate the efforts of English teachers in Switzerland to incorporate topics and critical reflection related to the climate emergency in their language classrooms by sharing and promoting creative and relevant resources, ideas, and approaches.
to guide ETAS as an association as it aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its activities and mitigate the effects of climate crisis on its members.

Testing

The Testing special interest group (T SIG) aims to provide a platform for members to share, discuss and source information, help and resources on all aspects of language testing and assessment. Whether you assess your own learners in continuous assessment, provide pre-learning formative assessment, or are involved in main frame examinations board or high-stakes specific purpose testing, this SIG is for you.

Young learners and teens

Teaching young people is often seen as one of the biggest challenges in teaching EFL. Not only do young people come with their own motivational issues, but they are often part of mixed-ability group classes where teachers face the additional challenge of following a fixed curriculum, pleasing parents and ensuring the results are up to scratch – not to mention report writing and piles of marking!

At the Young Learners special interest group (YL SIG), we know how this feels and we’re here to share all the resources and practical tips you need.

ETAS believes that a professional organisation is only as good as the extent to which it cares for its members and their professional needs. We thus have a broad selection of special interest groups (SIGs) that put forward specific offers for their members.

Are you interested in developing your professional expertise or finding out more about your field of English language teaching? Take a look at our special interest groups and connect.