Scholarship Value $2,000

Number of Scholarships 1

Overview

The Mary Ashworth Scholarship, established by BC TEAL in 1988, recognizes outstanding contributions to English language teaching in Canada and honours Mary Ashworth on the occasion of her UBC retirement. It supports graduate or undergraduate students studying TESL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics, with a preference for those attending a British Columbia university. Funds may be used to cover travel and accommodation for attending or participating in provincial, national, or international ELT conferences. The scholarship is valued up to $2,000 and is administered by the BC TEAL TCF.

Description: A scholarship to support conference-related travel and accommodation for students in TESL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics.

History of the Award: Established in 1988 by BC TEAL to honour Mary Ashworth’s contributions to the ELT profession.

Award Value: Up to $2,000 to reimburse eligible conference expenses.

• Supports conference participation for TESL/TESOL and Applied Linguistics students.
• Preference for students at BC universities and BC TEAL members.
• Funds are intended for travel and accommodation expenses.

Eligibility & Criteria

Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students in TESL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics; preference is given to those attending a university in British Columbia. Candidates are evaluated based on English language teaching experience and service to the ELT professional community. BC TEAL membership in good standing is also favored in the selection process. Note that an applicant may win only two of the related TCF awards (Nan Poliakoff Memorial Award, BC TEAL/TESOL Award, and the Mary Ashworth Scholarship).

Eligibility: Enrolled undergraduate or graduate students in TESL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics, preferably at BC universities.

Selection Criteria: ELT experience, professional service, and BC TEAL membership preference.

• Primary qualification: TESL/TESOL or Applied Linguistics student status.
• Evaluation emphasizes ELT service and professional engagement.
• Award limits apply across related TCF awards.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a completed application form and supporting documents by November 1. Required materials include a curriculum vitae that details ELT experience and current program of study, a letter describing how conference attendance will benefit the applicant, and two letters of reference that address the scholarship’s value for the applicant’s studies and professional development. Incomplete or late submissions may not be considered. Follow the submission instructions under the Application Submission section.

Application Timeline: Completed applications and all supporting documents are due by November 1 each year.

Required Documents: Completed form, CV, benefit statement, and two references.

• Hard deadline: November 1.
• All documents must clearly detail ELT experience and expected conference benefit.
• References should attest to academic and professional value of the award.

Disbursement of Funds

Recipients must meet disbursement conditions within 12 months of award acceptance unless an extension is granted for unforeseen circumstances. Before funds are released, recipients must either present at a BC TEAL conference, submit an article to the BC TEAL Newsletter or another provincial/national journal, or make results available online. Reimbursement requires submission of receipts for eligible expenses. Applicants will be asked to declare other funding sources, and duplicate funding for the same expense is not permitted.

Conditions for Disbursement: Presentation or publication requirement and submission of receipts within 12 months (extensions possible with justification).

Reporting Requirements: Evidence of conference participation or dissemination and disclosure of other funding sources are required.

• Funds reimbursed only after required dissemination activity and receipts are submitted.
• 12-month completion window; request extensions if necessary.
• Cannot receive duplicate funding for the same expenses.

Application Submission & Contact

Applications are submitted online directly to the TCF at BC TEAL. If you cannot upload required documents through the online form, email them to the TCF administrator with the specified subject line. Include your name and the phrase "Mary Ashworth Scholarship Award Application documentation" in the email subject to ensure proper processing. Retain copies of all submitted materials for your records.

Application Submission: Submit the completed online application and upload all supporting documents; email materials only if upload is not possible.

Contact: Email documents to tcf.admin@bcteal.org with your name and "Mary Ashworth Scholarship Award Application documentation" in the subject line.

• Primary submission method: online application to TCF at BC TEAL.
• If emailing documents, use the specified subject line for routing.
• Keep copies of all application materials and correspondence.