Newly wed!

Elvirita is now happily married! It happened last Saturday and as you read this she's probably away having a blast -no pun intended- on her honeymoon... She is on leave until after Easter. SO we all wish you lots of happiness, solace and companionship for very many many years to come!

St Patrick's 30th Anniversary Dinner

ADELA: It was a lot of fun, but also very moving, especially when Alina read her speech. Everybody listened to the words she chose to express and describe so many feelings and experiences. I wanted to say how proud everyone of us was to see her up there. The food was very good, the company perfect. Later the music did the rest. It was really nice to spend some time together.

NORITA: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our school was really touching!!
I would have never imagined that I would spend 20 years teaching at Saint Patrick's.
It was good to meet the people that are not working here any longer but that have left an unforgettable mark in my life. When talking to Pimpa, we remember how hard it was to get to the school by bus!!! We thought we were going to an unknown world...and in fact, it was unknown. All the challenges I faced, the hard and good moments lived made me value not only the professional opportunity I had but also the special people I met.
Here I have learned and agreed with values that I transmit not only to my students but to my daughters as well.
You know? I feel part of the history of this school and when I look back and remember all the effort, time, fears, happiness and achievements experienced at school, I feel the need to say "thanks" to all my old colleagues in this still unknown world, where I dare to go on combining my unflagging commitment with the fresh energy of my new colleagues.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR FRIENDS...!!!!!

FAAPI Call for papers: Cultural Awareness in ELT

[From FAAPI's Call for papers]
Culture can be defined as the whole way of life of a people or group, which includes - among others social practices that bond a group of people together and distinguish them from others. The classroom context is an example of a cultural group and by being so, is an important phenomenon to be analyzed and observed. The classroom setting has been examined under two complementary perspectives: social interaction and language learning. These two viewpoints led researchers to realize that culture is not only present in the classroom setting but also in the language that is being taught. In spite of these different views, culture has taken up a very relevant part in language teaching and learning studies. Culture and language are interrelated, and the language taught in our classrooms is used as the main medium through which culture is expressed.

It is because language is one of the most visible expressions of a particular culture, and the influence it has on a group has a strong social and cultural impact that this has been chosen as the main theme for FAAPI 2007 Conference. The teaching of English as a foreign or second language entails the inclusion of the target culture as well, and this should serve the development of cross-cultural communication. The achievement of this goal is possible with the interrelation of key aspects in the teaching process, and this instance of professional development hopes to strengthen the notion that language is beliefs, values and needs present in all its forms.

Given the nature of this conference, participants are invited to submit papers on the following Areas:

Sub-themes:
o Cross Cultural Education
o Language and Culture
o Literature as a means of culture
o Cultural Awareness through Literature, History, Folklore, Humour in ELT
o Teaching Culture in the ESL/ EFL classroom
This list is offered as a guideline for prospective contributors. In accepting or rejecting a proposal, the main criterion will be its relevance to the theme of the Conference. In case of equivalent merit, papers from members of FAAPI Associations will be given preference.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 27 April, 2007
Evaluation results will be sent by 02 July, 2007
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So far, Cecilia, Alina, Adela and Janine have expressed interest in presenting. Let's give shape to our proposals so we can work on submitting them by the deadline. In light of this info, feel free to make any further suggestions...

El Uso de Textos Electronicos en la Clase de Lengua Extranjera

Borrador para elevar propuesta redactado por Alina y Cecilia, con input agregado por mí:

Esta presentación tiene como objetivo dar a conocer una propuesta para el uso didáctico de ‘blogs’ en la clase de LE.

La escritura frecuente, la escritura para una audiencia, el contenido significativo de la escritura y el uso de la computadora para producir textos son todos factores que mejoran la habilidad para escribir de los alumnos (Mark Bernstein, 2004) y que son preponderantes en el uso del blog. A través de este medio buscamos la discusión de temáticas relacionadas con contenidos usualmente desarrollados en la clase de inglés, como por ejemplo, a) análisis de textos variados en género -literarios, periodísticos, etc.- y en formato -programas de radio y películas, etc.; b) reacción y reflexión sobre material de clase en general; c) lectura intensiva y extensiva de distintos géneros y temas. La propuesta entonces pretende demostrar la utilización didáctica de ‘blogs’ como disparadores para el desarrollo de distintos tópicos y generadores de discusión, debate y reacción personal en la lengua meta.

El blog del docente sirve como medio de comunicación sobre contenido de la clase –actividades, tareas, cronogramas, criterios de evaluación, etc.- y como fuente de vínculos en la Internet para mayor lectura por parte del alumno. El blog de la clase sirve como foro de discusión sobre temas propuestos por el docente. Finalmente el blog de cada estudiante sirve para explorar los mismos temas, proponer otras reflexiones, escribir libremente, explorar la escritura creativa y dar rienda suelta a la búsqueda de sus propios intereses siempre a través de la lengua extranjera..

En el uso del blog, toma gran importancia la dimensión social en el proceso de aprendizaje cuando el alumno toma posturas ante los estímulos y desarrolla su pensamiento crítico en las discusiones. El factor interpersonal en la comunicación toma nuevas características al interactuar con sus pares y docentes en un mismo marco contextual. Además, el foco en un mensaje significativo promueve una mayor autoestima y seguridad para el estudiante en el uso de la lengua.

La implementación de este recurso provisto por Internet en un aula virtual destaca un nivel de compromiso y participación mayor por parte de los alumnos adolescentes especialmente, y el estímulo de su pensamiento crítico acompaña un marcado desarrollo lingüístico.

Suggestions and feedback are welcome!!

Here's the first conference for our presentations!

After Alina shared the call for papers for the first ACPI Conference (Cordoba), let's put the proposal together! Let me know who'd like to do what? Here are some ideas. You may sign up for the one(s) you'd like to present in, or add more ideas you may have. I'm posting this in outr blog so everyone can see it. Thank you, Alina, for sending the info! We'll be discussing the details with the groups involved or interested.

Ideas:

• Drama strategies in the classroom
• The use of blogs
• Designing catching / motivating activities
• Using podcasts
• Extensive reading: SSR and technology use

Add a comment now where you sign up and share any other insight about this project. To do so, click on the word 'comments' below...
Looking forward to hearing from you about this!

UNT Drama Invitation!

Elvira has sent me the following news. Hope you can organize the trip to see it. Sounds exciting!

"Our drama group called "The Cue" has decided to perform the play "Happily Never After" once more, this time having secondary school students as our audience.

We are going to stage it at Centro Cultural Virla on April 18th, and the cost will be $5 per student.

We are scheduled to give 2 performances: From 3pm to 4:15pm the first one and then the other from 4:45pm to 6pm... the play isn't very long, but we do pre- and post- viewing activities (designed and carried out by us, the actors) with the students. It's a really nice experience, and we've had great results in the past!

The coordinating head and supervisor of this project is Prof. Cecilia Saleme de Dip and the Language III Cátedra. We are part of a project from Departamento de Extensión at Fac. de Filosofia y Letras.

Since the play has been bought directly from the States, it is not an abridged version of some previous work. But I'm sure San Patricio students will have absolutely no problem following it!!!!"

Alina's spirit

Here's another exciting piece of news from Alina. Thank you for sharing this!!!

"I wanted to tell you is that our students in 8th grade are looking forward to this year's performance. They were really enthusiastic and were thrilled when I suggested "making our own Musical" based on the script of High School Musical but adapting it to our reality, emphasizing the feeling of belonging that our students share towards the school. I also thought this would also go well with all the activities and celebrations of the school anniversary. I was thinking of making them work on that and come up with their own script and then give it shape. Also I thought it would be nice to include some of the feelings graduates and teachers share towards the school so that the final outcome shows our values, reality and true spirit of the institution.
I know this will require so much work and demand even more time from us. We will also need extra help so volunteers and ideas or suggestions are welcome. The name of the play/musical would be Saint Patrick's High School Musical!"
Alina

Correction of minutes by Alina

I think you misunderstood me when I told you about my colleagues at Pablo Apostol. The thing is that now that I work there I have the chance to share more time with the teachers that also work in San Patricio's Primary school.

One day, they were telling me they were surprised by the quality of work that we do in the secondary school. They were really interested in this new change in the syllabus and couldn’t imagine how we could do it. I told them that all the material was created by us which meant endless hours of work at home. We not only had to look for new material, but also make the type of practice needed to cover the language and grammar points. I also told them that the work is so demanding that most of us just can’t get a position in other schools.

They were really shocked and told me that they had a "CARGO" –position- at the primary school (they taught 16 hrs and were paid for 20 hours). While their students were having gym class or religion or arts, they used this free time at school to look for material, grade and prepare classes. So for them working at San Patricio was not a burden since everything or most of the work was done during the "PAID WORKING HOURS".

What I meant to say was that I would like to have the same feelings, but our situation is totally different and ends up being rather unfair. At least this is what I feel.

Alina

To post a comment...

Click on the word 'comments' below! Next to the word you can see the number of comments left so far...

Check out our 3rd Polimodal Website!

We've been using it since the beginning of class! Click here to have a look at it. And let us know what you think...

My news!

As you all probably know, I've been sick this week with 'epiglotitis'! This weird occurrence happened just out of the blue and it was my turn to catch it! I'm much better now. I've recovered my voice, though not at a 100% just yet. But I'll be back to school Monday.
The other piece of news is that I'll be having knee surgery this Thursday March 15. That means that Monday through Wednesday I'll be organizing St. Patrick's ceremony. I'll leave it ready, but you all are going to have to take care of it! So, who's volunteering to be the MC (Master of Ceremony)? Please, help with this by adding your comments below so that I don't overlook any aspect.
Thank you!

Minutes Meeting February 28, 2007

Personal goals for 2007
Several of you have already given me your personal goals (Adela, Cecilia, Norita, Omar, Paula, Silvia, Grace). If you haven't done yours yet, please do so at your earliest convenience. Also I'll be looking for each one of you to discuss them with you.

Updated CV/resume for your bio and personal file at school
I've only received four CVs. Some of you expressed their difficulty updating your CV. Should this become a serious issue for you, please, let me know so that we can make an alternative arrangement. As I'm working on a Department website, which, unlike our blog, will be open to the whole school community, I would like to include a bio on each one of you.

Teachers' Concerns
Before the actual discussion of Department goals, the members asked for greater financial and academic recognition from the institution. There was a shared sentiment that despite the cutting-edge program we have developed, our work goes largely unrecognized by the school community in general, especially the owners through the salary. The following points were mentioned:

• The tradition of quality work in the Department has not been recognized for over a decade now, especially considering that way before the two big curricular changes (1995 and 2005), English teachers were deprived of an extra stipend on account of the amount of correction work. Now, the group feels we are working harder and yet the compensation is not according to neither the quality nor the amount of work.
• CORRECTION: Regarding Alina's words on her experience at Pablo Apostol, please check the entry above!
• Public school teachers now earn more than San Patricio teachers. Also, we know that the demand of the English program on each Department member is much greater than what teachers of other disciplines at school have to respond to.
• Since we are trying to use more technology, this will mean that at home each teacher will need to have a good PC and pay for an Internet connection. It was requested if the school could develop some kind of program to finance the purchase of PCs for those teachers that need it - four of us actually expressed their strong interest in getting one. This could also be offered to the whole school faculty.

Department Goals 2007
After this discussion, the goals for 2007 for the English Department were proposed and discussed. We agreed on the following:

• Technology: We'll start the process of exploring how the use of technology can enhance our class work.
• Transition to higher level: As we are enforcing changes in curriculum at every level, we shall do our best to make the transition as smooth as possible. Last year, 2nd Polimodal started the A2 program and the change did not impact on the number of students who passed or failed the class. We would like to achieve the same throughout the board.
• Find more opportunities for professional development: both in terms of working on presentation of our work outside school as well as attending professional meetings. It was mentioned that the FAAPI will take place in Jujuy this year, which would be a good opportunity for most of us to attend since transportation will not represent a heavy financial burden. Also, we need to find ways to let others know the amount and quality of work the Department does on a regular basis, this refers to more than just planning lessons from a textbook. Instead we develop curriculum and produce the material required by the changes. One way to do this will be through publishing it online on the Department Website - which is in the works!
• Fine tune the Sustained Silent Reading Program: EGB3 teachers report that kids enjoyed the program but they also said that we need more resources, i.e. more books. Note: Diana said that this kind of purchase is already approved by the owners so we should just make the lists and place the order with Scholastics.
• Improve communication with primary school: especially between 6th and EGB3 teachers, so that the transition for kids from one building to another does not become traumatic in the English class.
• Using drama: as follow-up to the excellent work of the 8th Year team last year, we would like to explore the use of drama in the classroom further. Carlos promised to share some of his relevant bibliography.
• Study skills: The 7th Year team will devote extra effort to developing the kids study skills.

Syllabus design
Carlos shared his syllabus for 3rd Polimodal. Even though the timing is not the best, should anyone want to use it and adapt it for their groups, you are welcome to do so. However, this written syllabus should become regular practice at every level next academic year.

Literary Works for 2007
Carlos asked the teams for the list of literary works each team is planning to use this year.

Annual Planning 2007
Each team will develop their annual planning sheets (planificaciones)
The Department split up into team groups to make up the groups for this year and plan their lessons for the diagnostic period.

Great link for all sorts of activities!

www.eslcafe.com Check it out and let me know what you think!!!