Dr. Mark James, associate professor of TESOL and alumnus of BYU-Hawaii, is "retiring" as editor of the TESL Reporter—a professional refereed journal sponsored by the Department of English Language Teaching & Learning.
As of this April’s issue, James is stepping down after "12 wonderful years." James went on to say that although he enjoyed his work as editor, he realized it was time for a change and for the fresh ideas that a new editor would bring.
"James led the TESL Reporter through a number of changes which helped to secure a solid future for the journal, and a continued commitment on the part of Brigham Young University Hawaii to underwrite the journal as a service to our profession," said Norman Evans, ELT department chair.
James is being replaced by Dr. Maureen Andrade, director of the EIL Program.
"I look forward to Maureen taking over," James said. "As our review editor for some years now, she has demonstrated a fine editorial eye."
"We look forward to the future growth of the journal and its reputation under Maureen’s editorship," Evans added.
The reputation of which Evans speaks is impressive. During its 38 years serving the ESL profession through the dissemination of ideas to practitioners in ESL/EFL classrooms worldwide, the TESL Reporter has received many accolades.
"We pride ourselves on the many comments we receive to the effect that the TESL Reporter is one of the very few professional publications classroom ESL teachers receive and read cover to cover, and pass along to colleagues," James said.
The vast majority (90%) of subscribers lives and works in third world contexts and has few other professional resources, and little extra money to pay for professional dues or journals. Thanks to generous support of the university, the journal remains free outside the U.S.
As a result, the journal has been able to favorably represent the university and the Church in over 100 countries worldwide, some of the Church has not yet been able to enter. In this sense, like the touring performing arts groups, the TESL Reporter has become a valuable missionary tool.
The journal also enjoys extended readership through a digital database of back issues made available to the world, thanks to the services of the Scholarly Periodical Center on the Provo campus. The database currently receives 3,000 hits per month.
"If there is anything which I hope to see continue, it is the internationalization of our editorial review board," James said, reflecting on this time as editor. "The creation of this board in 1992 was a milestone for the journal. I have many good memories during the past 12 years, meeting people, working with authors, and receiving many thoughtful emails, letters, postcards, and kind gifts from readers the world over."
Andrade is excited about the opportunity of continuing the tradition of the TESL Reporter, particularly its key role as a journal for classroom teachers in international contexts.
"The TESL Reporter emphasizes solid research focused on practical application to the classroom, especially English language classrooms outside of the United States," she said. "Because of the TESL Reporter, BYUH is known in countries not only in our target areas, but around the world. The journal promotes the mission and reputation of the university."
Also joining the editorial staff as review editor is Amanda Peeni, a lecturer in the EIL program. She brings with her considerable editorial experience as a free-lance, newspaper and magazine editor and writer, including several years as the New Zealand editor for the Church's magazine—the Ensign.