TESOL Law

The sample Code of Ethics for EFL/ESL/TESOL foreign language/second language teachers will be placed on-line in draft form for 3 months - during which time we invite you to send us your thoughts and any suggested changes you believe will enhance the Code.

See also Dickey, R. January 2006 Vol 1. for discussion

Since 2006 there has been sporadic response to the code of ethics - no written follow ups. It is hoped the issue can develop in time. Follow up articles would be very welcome.

Definitions:-

Must is an absolute condition.
Shall is an imperative condition.

1.
The foreign language/second language teachers responsibilities to the students in his/her care are as follows:-

1.1
The foreign language/second language teacher shall give foremost consideration to the students well being.

1.2
The foreign language/second language teacher shall direct his/her whole professional effort to assist the students to develop his/her second language speaking ability.

1.3
The foreign language/second language teacher shall foster in his/her students, honesty, integrity, and consideration for others and shall do nothing, by precept or example, to discredit these qualities.

1.4
The foreign language/second language teacher shall act, and shall be seen to act, with justice and fairness.

1.5
The foreign language/second language teacher shall exercise authority in accordance with the law of the land and with evolving concepts of the students needs and rights.

1.6
The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize that each student is an individual and that students can differ in what is required for the promotion of their education.

1.7
The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize an obligation to assist all students under his/her charge to develop their talents suitably and to the fullest extent feasible.

1.8
The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize that he/she should work with native and nonnative co-workers to promote the welfare of students, particularly by consulting and involving parents, whenever this is desirable.

1.9
The foreign language/second language teacher shall make reasonable effort to protect the students from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.

1.10
The foreign language/second language teacher shall not intentionally expose the students to embarrassment or disparagement.

1.11
The foreign language/second language teacher shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage.

1.12
The foreign language/second language teacher shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service unless such disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.

2. The foreign language/second language teacher's responsibilities to his colleagues and the Teaching Profession are as follows:-

2.1 The foreign language/second language teacher shall respect the professional standing and opinions of his/her colleagues and shall maintain in his/her relations with them the highest standards of professional courtesy.

2.2 The foreign language/second language teacher shall be prepared to help in all possible ways junior colleagues and those in training.

2.3 The foreign language/second language teacher shall accept the authority of senior professional colleagues while retaining the right to express professional opinion.

2.4 The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize his/her obligation to advance the causes of education and hence the causes of the teaching profession.

2.5 The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize his/her obligation to improve his effectiveness as a foreign language/second language teacher in every possible way.

2.6 The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize his responsibility for his/her own actions and judgments and he shall be prepared to stand by their consequences.

2.7 The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize his/her duty to manifest responsibility, individual initiative, and integrity in his/her teaching and other professional actions within guidelines laid down for the profession.

2.8 The foreign language/second language teacher shall not knowingly make a false statement concerning the qualifications and competence when applying for a position.

2.9 The foreign language/second language teacher shall not accept gratuity, gift, or favour that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions.

2.10 The foreign language/second language teacher shall do all in her/his power and abilities to promote the ethics affecting foreign language/second language teachers.

2.11 Senior professional foreign language/second language teachers shall not censure other foreign language/second language teachers or criticize their work in the hearing of students.

2.12 A foreign language/second language teacher shall not by way of by public statement, bring the profession, his school, or the department in which he works into disrepute.

2.13 The foreign language/second language teacher shall appreciate that, while as a professional person he must accept responsibility for his/her actions, his/her duty shall be to carry out reasonable instructions from senior native and non native professional colleagues. The foreign language/second language teacher shall have the right to protest against instructions.

2.14 Senior professional colleagues shall give a foreign language/second language teacher all support and help that is in their power to make the foreign language/second language teacher's work effective, consult and inform him on matters affecting his work and treat him with justice and dignity.

3.
The foreign language/second language teachers Responsibilities to the Parents of his students and to the Community.

3.1 The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize the right of a parent to consult him/her, through proper channels, on their child's welfare. The foreign language/second language teacher shall recognize the right of a parent to be consulted about any matter which concerns the future development of his child.

3.2 The foreign language/second language teacher shall do nothing to undermine lawful parental authority, but shall be prepared to give advice which, in his/her professional view, is in the best interest of the students.


3.3 The foreign language/second language teacher shall act within the community in a manner which enhances the prestige of the profession.

4. Legal obligations of the foreign language/second language teacher

4.1. The foreign language/second language teacher must at all times comply with the Immigration laws of the country he/she is resident in.

4.2. The foreign language/second language teacher must not enter into any activity that contravenes the criminal code of the country he/she is resident in

4.3. The foreign language/second language teacher shall do all in his ability to advance his teaching qualifications by way of attending conferences, undertaking on-line Ma or Certificate program work, or such other training as may be available to the teacher.