A year after completing an English Language Specialist virtual project in Vietnam in 2022, Alumni Ambassador Christina Cavage had a surprising ‘full-circle moment’: One of her Vietnamese teaching colleagues was selected for a TESOL program Cavage had coordinated at the University of Central Florida, and the two educators were able to meet in-person for the first time. “The experience reminded me how powerful education is—it connects us in unexpected ways,” Cavage said. “I formed deep bonds with my colleagues across the globe during my Specialist projects. In addition to the learnings I experienced, it was the human connections that mattered most. Although we were separated by distance, culture, and sometimes language, our shared commitment to teaching and learning created a strong connection.”
Cavage’s Specialist project served as a catalyst for deepening her expertise in educational technology, equipping her with skills and insights that now contribute to advancing American EdTech innovation and leadership in her current role. Cavage is now the Vice President of Learning at Immerse, an VR-based language learning company, where she focuses on designing immersive, task-based English curricula and professional development systems for global educators. In addition, she authors ELT textbooks. “My work continues to build on the intercultural and pedagogical insights I gained through my Specialist projects,” Cavage said. “Professionally, these experiences strengthened my capacity to design scalable […] programs and mentor educators in contexts with varying resources.”
After leading online workshops for 15 weeks as a Specialist in Vietnam, Cavage later reconnected with one of her Vietnamese colleagues (shown on the right) in-person for a TESOL training at the University of Central Florida.
In Vietnam, Cavage facilitated a series of webinars for over 120 teachers ranging from preschool to university level on leveraging technology for language learning. Her webinars covered the digital teaching landscape, effective tech tools, strategies for enhancing engagement and interaction in the ELT Classroom, optimizing project-based learning, creativity, and classroom assessment. Alongside the webinars, the participants engaged in an online learning community where they exchanged ideas, reflected on the new digital tools, and created lesson plans. “The vibrant online community we established was the most impactful part of the series,” Cavage said. “Sharing ideas, tools, and strategies was a huge learning opportunity for us all.”
At TESOL International in Long Beach, California, Cavage presented on her work as a Specialist with colleagues and alumni from English Language Programs (left); and shared her experiences with prospective applicants at the program’s booth (right).
As a Specialist in Russia and Belarus in 2023-2024, Cavage worked with university faculty from various regions on using Generative AI in English language learning and teaching. Over the 15-week virtual course, the educators explored various tech tools and their applications to ELT teaching and learning. Between meetings, participants engaged in asynchronous online learning activities, sharing their experiences using the new tools. Their enthusiasm led to Cavage’s course being extended into the next semester for another 15 weeks, providing the group with more time to explore effective AI prompt frameworks for educators. “Working closely with a large group of women on this project, over 50 in total, we developed inside jokes and rapport that brought us closer together,” Cavage reflected. “While at first our cultures and the world we know seemed vastly different, sharing laughs and humorous moments as we worked, we realized how connected and similar we all were.”
“I aim to share insights on integrating technology responsibly while preserving the human connection at the heart of language learning.” – Christina Cavage
Cavage’s Specialist project exploring the early applications of AI in language education “sparked a deep professional curiosity” that has since guided much of her work. Building on the foundations from her projects, she has been designing AI-powered self-paced lessons that bridge various pedagogical approaches with emerging technology. “I now focus on ensuring that we use AI tools in language learning to support evidence-based best practices driven by educators,” Cavage said. While leading new professional development events for educators worldwide, Cavage said she aims to “share insights on integrating technology responsibly while preserving the human connection at the heart of language learning.”
In Washington D.C. for the Alumni Ambassador training, Cavage strategized and bonded with her cohort.
With human connections at the heart of her work, Cavage became an Alumni Ambassador to continue connecting with new educators across the U.S., sharing her Specialist experiences at conferences and events. “I wanted other colleagues to have that same kind of transformative professional and personal experience that I had as a Specialist,” Cavage said. “Sharing these stories, both large and small, helps sustain our purpose as educators of English.”
Christina Cavage has been in the field of English as a Second Language for over 30 years. She spent 32 years teaching at colleges and universities and is the Vice President of Learning at IMMERSE. Cavage has served as a consultant and trainer for both Pearson ELT and Cambridge University Press, working with teachers across the globe. She has authored, co-authored, and consulted on dozens of ELT textbooks. Her latest English Language Specialist Project was a year-long workshop series on generative AI in English language learning and teaching.