Introducing the current Global Issues SIG Committee

GISIG Coordinator

Varinder Unlu

Varinder has worked in ELT for 27 years in all contexts from private language schools to FE and HE, teaching students of all ages. She has been a DOS/Academic Manager/Principal since 2002. She is also a teacher trainer for both Cambridge CELTA and Trinity TESOL, a materials writer and a conference speaker and the co-founder and first coordinator of IATEFL’s Inclusive Practices and SENs SIG.

GISIG Committee

Hind Elyas

Hind works as an English Instructor at Alfalak in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is heavily involved in PD and her current roles include the IATEFL Global Issue, Issues Month Coordinator, the Past Chair of the TESOL International Professional Development Professional Council, Founding Member of TESOL Arabia and a member of the former TESOL International Womentorship in ELT committee. She is also serving as a TESOL International New Member Guide. Hind has served as a judge for the British Council ELTon Awards since 2021, and was a National Geographic Advisor for the development of a new academic skills series titled Reflect in 2020. Hind’s former roles include the Executive Secretary of Africa ELTA, Acting Vice President of TESOL Sudan and Professional Development Coordinator at KSAALT TESOL (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Association for English Language Teachers). Some of her achievements include being a TESOL International 2021 Leadership Mentoring Program Award recipient, and a TESOL International Convention Ambassador. Her research interests include student engagement, differentiation, and 21st-century teaching and employability skills.

A big thank you

With acknowledgment and huge thanks to former Committee Members who helped build and sustain GISIG:

Margit Szesztay, Dennis Newson, Wolfgang Ridder, Bill Templer, Rose Aylett, Linda Ruas and László Hajba over their many years of involvement with GISIG, as members, former committee members, colleagues and friends.

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