1. Puerto Rico TESOL
Awards and Scholarship Opportunities for 2011
The following are Puerto Rico TESOL-sponsored grants and awards for PRTESOL members
except the art contest award. We support our members’ efforts of self-improvement and their
strides towards academic excellence. These awards and scholarship opportunities are funded
with membership dues and with the generous sponsorship of many of PRTESOL’s friends in the
business world who understand our educational mission. PRTESOL’s grants and awards promote
the high standards vital to the development of our profession. PRTESOL invites its members to
apply for any of the following awards and scholarship. Current members on the PRTESOL Board
of Directors are not eligible for these awards except the lifetime achievement award. Information
about all awards and the applications are on our official PRTESOL web site:
www.puertoricotesol.org.
Selection procedure:
PRTESOL awards committee will recommend the candidates that should receive these
awards to the PRTESOL Board of Directors for their final approval by October 15, 2011.
v Awards by Application: Due Date September 30, 2011
1. PRTESOL Scholarship Grant to Support Continuing Education in TESOL. One
award will be granted for studies towards a master’s degree and one for doctoral
level studies.
AWARD: Two $300 cash awards
PURPOSE: To support advanced studies in the teaching of English to Speakers of Other
Languages that will contribute to improving the quality of English language instruction on the
island.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This scholarship is open to any current PRTESOL member who is
actively pursuing a masters or doctoral degree in a TESOL or a related program. The candidate
must comply with the following:
• provide evidence of having completed at least nine (9) credits towards the degree
and have an average of 3.50 or higher.
• complete the application form and write an essay of at least 300 words explaining why
you should receive this award.
• not be a previous recipient of this award.
• be a member of PRTESOL for at least one year.
DUE DATES: The application form must be completed and returned to PRTESOL by
September 30, 2011.The recipient will be presented her/his cash award at the PRTESOL
Annual Convention.
2. PRTESOL Award to Promote Excellence in ESL Teaching Programs
One cash award of $300 to be used for the purchase of educational resources for the
English class.

2. Purpose: To strengthen a school’s ESL program through the awarding of a $300 gift certificate
to be used in the purchasing of educational materials (such as teaching materials, books,
technology tools or software, and professional readings) to enhance ESL instruction in the
teacher’s classroom or school. The person completing the application must be a PRTESOL
member from any public or private school (K-12). Final date to apply: September 30, 2011.
The award is open to any PRTESOL member who teaches at the public or private K-12 level and
whose faculty has not been a previous recipient of the award. The applicant will complete the
application form and mail or email it to the selection committee for its consideration. The award
will be presented at the Annual PRTESOL Convention.
The recipient of this award must submit evidence of materials purchase by December 21, 2011
and a write brief article for the PRTESOLGRAM about how the materials purchased have been
used and they enhanced their teaching.
Due Dates: The application must be completed and returned to PRTESOL by
September 30, 2011.
3. PRTESOL Award to Recognize Recent Research Contributions to the TESL Field
Purpose: To make public the research studies of PRTESOL members at institutions of higher
education completing a masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral studies between May, 2010 and
August, 2011. Those PRTESOL members who have made important research findings for the
continued improvement of our area of specialization should fill out the application form and submit
an abstract or article about their research. Certificates of recognition will be given to these
colleagues during the Annual PRTESOL Convention and the abstracts or articles will be
published in the PRTESOLGRAM. Deadline to submit the application form: September 30, 2011.
4. PRTESOL Travel Grant to Attend the 2012 TESOL Convention in Philadelphia.
Purpose: To encourage and support more PRTESOL members to attend the annual TESOL
convention. This is the most important international event for ESL/EFL educators and an
enriching professional event.
Award: The amount of this award is a maximum of $300 to be used for the TESOL convention
fee and paid directly to them.
Requirements: The applicant must write an essay of at least 150 words explaining why they
receive this award .
Attend the 2012 TESOL convention in Philadelphia and present evidence of attendance. The
applicant must have a confirmed flight to Philadelphia by December 15, 2011 in order to receive
this award since we have to send your registration fee by December 21, 2011.
Help the PRTESOL delegates disseminate information about PRTESOL at the TESOL
Convention. Write an article about your experience for the PRTESOLGRAM after you attend.
Awards by Nomination DUE DATE: September 30, 2011
1. PRTESOL Award for Lifetime Service in the Teaching of English to Speakers of
Other Languages (Dr. Marie E. Aloise Life Time Achievement Award)
Award: Award will consist of a plaque, a certificate, and a grant to cover the PRTESOL
convention fee for both days.
Purpose: To recognize and acknowledge outstanding service throughout the years in the
teaching of English to speakers of other languages, to PRTESOL and to other sister
organizations at the local and international levels.

3. Eligibility Criteria: The recipient is selected according to evidence of (a) a genuine, long-lasting
commitment to PRTESOL, (b) ability to combine professional and/or administrative roles in areas
concerning English language education, (c) ability and desire to promote what is locally done in
the field of English language education on the island and abroad. The recipient of this award is
selected under the recommendation of the current PRTESOL president and the PRTESOL Board
of Directors.
2. PRTESOL Outstanding ESL Educator Award
Purpose: This award recognizes the outstanding work of two ESL English educators in Puerto
Rico, one at the K-12 level and one from higher education. Eligibility for this award is achieved via
nomination. Award will consist of a grant to cover the PRTESOL convention fee for both days and
a certificate of recognition.
Criteria:
(1) Nominee must have at least five years of experience teaching English. The documents
submitted should show evidence of the nominee's ability to motivate and encourage students
as well as engage them in productive and challenging learning and has been involved with
students outside of the classroom in extra curricular activities, and/or involvement in the
community and with colleagues.
Supporting Documentation:
(1) An essay that tells why the nominee's work is special and worthy of being recognized.
The essay should include information that documents the educator’s effective teaching
practices.
(2) At least one letter from another person who can write about the nominee, giving relevant
information. Letters can be from a student, a parent, a colleague, a community person, a
professional in another geographic area who knows the nominee, a current or former
supervisor, or an administrator.
(2) A curriculum vitae of the nominee
3. PRTESOL Cover Art Contest Award- (a person who is not a PRTESOL member may
receive this award)
Award: A certificate of recognition and the fee for one day at the PRTESOL convention.
Purpose: To recognize the efforts of the person or student who offered their talents to create the
convention poster. You do not have to be a PRTESOL member to participate in this contest. The
dealine to submit an entry for this contest is March 1, 2011.