I still remember one of my first ELT conferences quite clearly, the Southern Cone TESOL convention in Curitiba, Brazil, back in 2001. I arrived with a program full of highlights, a notebook ready, and a strong sense that I needed to attend as many sessions as possible. I moved quickly from room to room, barely stopping, convinced that the value of the conference was directly connected to how much content I could absorb in a day. By the end of it, my notebook was full, but I wasn’t really sure what my key take-aways had been.
It took me some time to realize that conferences are not only about sessions. They are also about people, conversations, and moments that are much harder to plan for.
Networking Matters
Over the years, conferences have become a very important part of my professional life. Not just because of what I learned in presentations, but because of the relationships I built and the exchanges that happened in between them. Some of the most meaningful professional connections I still have started in corridors, in coffee lines, or during conversations that began with something very simple: “What did you think of that session?”
This is why networking at conferences matters so much to me. And by networking, I don’t mean collecting contacts or adding people on social media as quickly as possible. I mean taking the time to talk, listen, and build relationships gradually. In my experience, conferences create a rare kind of space where people are more open, less rushed, and more willing to reflect together. And that’s something we don’t often get in our everyday professional routines.
The Case for Strategic Coffee Breaks
At some point, this also changed the way I attend conferences. I no longer go from session to session without a break. That used to feel like the responsible thing to do. Now it feels unnecessary. I still choose sessions carefully, but I also make sure I leave time to sit down with people I don’t usually see, to reconnect with colleagues I may only meet once a year, or simply to talk through ideas that came up in earlier talks. Those conversations often help me make much more sense of what I’ve heard than rushing into the next presentation.
Don’t Skip the Socializing!
Another thing I’ve learned over time is never to skip social events. Receptions, informal gatherings, dinners at the end of the day—these moments are not secondary. They are often where the most interesting conversations happen. I have learned that when the formal structure disappears, people speak more freely, share doubts, test ideas, and sometimes imagine projects together. Several initiatives I’ve been involved in started in exactly those spaces, without an agenda and without a clear plan.
“It took me some time to realize that conferences are not only about sessions. They are also about people, conversations, and moments that are much harder to plan for.”
Consider the Bigger Picture
Over the years, I’ve taken part in events in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and many other fascinating countries. On top of allowing me to explore the world, many of these experiences also gave me the opportunity to share the stage with National Geographic Explorers and TED Talks speakers. I remember feeling both excited and slightly overwhelmed—not only because of the scale of the events, but also because of the unique and incredibly talented people involved.
What often strikes me most is how grounded these presenters were. Despite their extraordinary experiences, they spoke with ongoing curiosity, inspiring openness, and a genuine interest in learning from others and the world. Being part of these events has always been so powerful—and so humbling. It reminds me that education is not limited to techniques or frameworks. It is deeply connected to how we understand life and our role in it. These moments reinforce my belief that as English language educators, we are part of the larger picture, whether we realize it or not.
Where This Leaves Me Today
Conferences can be fantastic spaces for professional growth, but only if we approach them with intention. It’s easy to treat them as places to consume information. However, I argue that their real value lies in balance: between attending sessions and talking to people, between listening and sharing, between planning and leaving space for what might happen.
We often encourage our students to reflect, to engage with others, and to build knowledge together. Conferences give us the chance to do the same. That may mean attending fewer sessions and having better conversations. It may mean saying “yes” to a social event even when you’re tired. It may simply mean starting a conversation with someone whose work you admire or who you just casually met.
When I think back to that first conference—the one with the over-highlighted program and the constant rushing—I don’t see it as a mistake anymore. It was part of my learning process. I still arrive at conferences with a program in hand (nowadays, probably as an app and not a thick booklet anymore). But I also arrive knowing that some of the most valuable moments will probably happen between sessions, over a cup of coffee, or during a conversation I didn’t plan for. And those are often the moments that stay with me the longest.
Your Turn: Making Conferences Work for You
- Choose sessions intentionally: You don’t need to attend everything. A few well-chosen sessions often create more impact than a packed schedule.
- Leave space for conversations: Some of the most valuable insights come from informal discussions, not formal presentations.
- Attend at least one social event: Even if you’re tired. That’s often where collaboration, ideas, and friendships start.
- Talk to someone new every day: It doesn’t need to be strategic. Curiosity is enough.
- Reflect before you leave: Ask yourself — what will I actually do differently because of this conference?
Conferences are one of the rare moments in our profession when learning, community, and inspiration come together in the same space. If we approach them thoughtfully, they can energize our work long after the event ends.
So next time you attend one, maybe try leaving one session early, lingering a bit longer over coffee, or starting a conversation you wouldn’t normally start. You might be surprised by what stays with you.
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