ABSTRACT
In discussing tenure and promotion for ESL and basic-skills faculty, it is important to understand where these faculty members belong in the university structure, as opposed to where they are located. Many special programs and departments were created when open admissions started several decades ago. Although it is difficult to evaluate, teaching is an important determinant of promotion and tenure for ESL and basic-skills faculties. Many ESL and basic-skills programs start with as few as one full-time specialist. Some institutions require scholarship for tenure and promotion of ESL and basic-skills faculty; at others, professional activity—which includes attending conferences—will suffice. The application of theory and research to pedagogy is essential to professional practice in ESL and basic-skills instruction. More and more publishers are asking classroom teachers to publish their own materials if they can guarantee a sale of 250 copies. Many of these custom-published books are really examples of curriculum development masking as academic publications.
