ESL Aquarius: Let the Sales Rep In

Though some instructors sharply close their doors when they notcice sales reps roaming through their department halls, you may want to keep that door of opportunity open.

Like all publishing representatives ESL reps have a specific goal in mind, which is to get their products into your and your students' hands; however, while many teachers will wave off a rep's visit to their office as an imposition or nuisance, others have learned that maintaining good relationships with reps from various companies can lead to greater access to materials, more opportunities for training in technology, and the chance to enhance one's career through writing and reviewing projects.

The fact is that the publishing world is extremely competitive, and publishers' reps will do everything they can to win your confidence (aka: your business), so ESL instructors should feel comfortable taking advantage of the opportunites offerered by their friendly, if persistent, educational counterparts.

Educational counterparts, you say?

Sales reps want you to use the products their company has to offer as much as you want your students to utilize the language instruction that you impress upon them, and why shouldn't they? The authors, editors, and designers that these reps support often care as deeply (in many cases more deeply) about the potential success of students as the students' own instructors do. In fact, it is oftentimes the reps who will report back to these editors and designers the comments and interests of instructors regarding particular books so that they can produce the best materials possible.

Not every rep is going to be your cup of tea, but keep the door to your office open - opportunity doesn't always knock twice.