Short notes from the PRTESOL Annual Convention

Yesterday, the 39th PRTESOL Annual Convention finished. Although I did not have the opportunity to be during the whole convention, I would like to share my notes of the presentations that I enjoyed. And of course of the informal conversation during little breaks.

Let's begin saying that almost everyone that I met or I greeted there, agreed that the best presentation was offered by the Friday's plenary speaker Sharroky Hollie. My commitment is to find notes from participants that attended to share with you his knowledge and experiences.

One important moment on Saturday was the award granted to Dra. Alicia Pousada. She received the Dr. Marie E. Aloise Lifetime Achievement Award 2012. She has contributed to the teaching of English in Puerto Rico; and as she gladly said she will continue researching, writing, and teaching. If you like to know more about her work you can access http://aliciapousada.weebly.com/articles.html

The plenary session of Saturday morning was addressed by Dr. Changhua Rich, Ph.D. She is Mc Graw Hill CTB's Research Director, Asia. Dr. Rich is responsible for developing international assessment business and research. Some of the key points presented by her are:

·      The main burden for teachers is grading. This mainly because lack of time and tools. Teachers really want to provide an inmediate feedback but the amount of students, the amount of administrative tasks and planning occupied a big portion of their time.

·      Online learning and online assessment using real time data is good for differentiated instruction and adaptive learning.

·      In the process of teaching and assessing, teachers are preparing students to acquire and develop the 21^st century skills. (http://www.p21.org/ )

·      The next generation of assessment will include online assessment and international benchmarking.

·      Dual language environment is harder and a big challenge for rural schools. Students might not find interesting nor necessary to acquire a second language.

·      Internationally, as English is being transformed from a foreign language into a global language, productive communication skills of English writing and speaking are being taught and tested as basic skills. As a result there is an increasing interest in the use of automated essay scoring technology in ESL/EFL teaching and learning.

If you would like to read more about online assessment and automated essay scoring you may access:

·      http://www.ctb.com/ctb.com/control/researchArticleMainAction?topicId=387&articleId=904&p=ctbResearch

·      http://www.ctb.com/ctb.com/control/researchArticleMainAction?articleId=904&p=ctbResearch

The morning workshop Problem and Project Based Learning: Teaching Financial Literacy in the ESL Classroom was offered by Arlene F. Serrano, a humble and enchanted doctoral student at Texas State University. Her main objective was to share her actual experience teaching young people and adults about financial literacy. Simple things as managing their wallet, creating conscience of using a budget, and working on finding positives outcomes are the kind of tasks that her students learn to do.

During the workshop, all the participants were actively engaged and even created posters to show different popular sayings about money. It was a very fun and enriching experience. As part of the workshop, Arlene provided material to be used in ESL classrooms and discussed the implications for this practice.  As an actual Math teacher in an ESL classroom and a strong believer of financial literacy, I found the materials provided as high quality and also as an easy guide to incorporate the theme as part of the curriculum. If you would like to contact her, you may write to as1864@txstate.edu

Another nice workshop, right after lunch, was Increasing English Language: Learning Naturally Through Brain Science.  The presentation was based on researches performed on the Neuroscience field. As result of these researches, Scientific Learning designed a reading intervention program that work with the brain areas related to the process of reading. The program as presented by Mr. Cory Armes help students to strengthen their ability to learn content and to build memory, attention, processing rate and sequencing. Participants received demos and information about researches. I got a cute little blue brain, made of that nice material that you can squeeze when you want to release stress. A cool token by Scientific Learning. If you like to read more you may access  http://www.scilearnglobal.com/

PRTESOL invites you

PRTESOL invites you to 

TESOL Symposium on Facilitating Learning Through Student Empowerment

This 1-day symposium guides educators in empowering their university and adult learners. English language educators interact with leading experts in the field and learn about collaborating with colleagues, fostering learner autonomy, and guiding ELLs through the complicated steps to becoming professionals in their chosen fields. Participants learn systemic approaches and a wide variety of practical strategies and techniques to more effectively meet the needs of their students.

This TESOL Symposium precedes the 39th PRTESOL Convention and the 11th Cental American & Caribbean Basin Regional Conference, Journey Into English as a Global Language: Embracing Diversity, 16–17 November 2012. For more information on the 39th PRTESOL Convention and the 11th CA & CB Regional Conference, please visit the conference website or email Puerto Rico TESOL.

About the Featured Speakers

Kimberly A. Johnson is assistant professor in the School of Education at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Director of the ATLAS Center, a center that provides resources and professional development for teachers of adult learners throughout Minnesota (www.atlasABE.org).  As the ATLAS Director, Dr. Johnson coordinates research and training on topics in curriculum and instruction, language teaching and learning, teacher supervision, and academic readiness.  She has published in multiple journals, including Teaching and Teacher Education, TESOL Quarterly, and the Adult Basic Education and Literacy Journal.  She holds a bachelors degree in English, a master's degree in TESOL, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota.

Leni Dam currently coordinates the IATEFL Learner Autonomy Special Interest Group while giving talks and running courses on the development of language learner autonomy around the world. Previously she served as an educational adviser at the Pedagogic University of Copenhagen, a language teacher at a comprehensivefolkeskole near Copenhagen, and joint coordinator (with Sara Cotterall) of the AILA Scientific Committee of Learner Autonomy. Working with Lienhard Legenhausen (Münster University, Germany),  she ran the LAALE project (Language Acquisition in an Autonomous Language Learning Environment), which observed the linguistic development of mixed-ability learners.  Dr. Leni Dam was awarded an honorary doctorate in pedagogy from Karlstad University, Sweden (2004), and has published widely on aspects of learner autonomy in language learning, including Learner Autonomy 3: From Theory to Classroom Practice.

Charles Hall is associate professor of applied linguistics, University of Memphis, and former chair of the TESOL ESP Interest Session. He has led training workshops sponsored by various organizations, such as the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations, in over 30 countries, including Iraq and Sudan. His publications include American Legal English. He has been awarded two senior Fulbrights for the Czech Republic. Since 1990 he has directed summer TEFL training courses at the University of West Bohemia, the Czech Republic, and since 2010 at the University of Alicante, Spain.

Symposium Host

María Antonia Irizarry is a professor and coordinator of the Graduate TESL Program at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). She holds a bachelors degree in TESL from UPR, a master's degree in TESL, a master's in education in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language, and a doctorate in education in languages and literature from Columbia University.  She taught in New York public schools, Essex County College in New Jersey, and was Associate Superintendent of Schools in Newark, New Jersey. Her commitment to TESOL has been unwavering. She is a past member of the PRTESOL Board of Directors and served the organization as President in 1988. She is a frequent presenter at regional and national activities and has offered her expertise to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Chile, Dominican Republic, and Panama, among others

Contact at TESOL International Association:  edprograms@tesol.org

For more information about TESOL’s education programs see www.tesol.org, under “Attend and Learn.”

TESOL Symposium on Facilitating Learning Through Student Empowerment

Dear Colleagues


Register today for the TESOL Symposium on Facilitating Learning Through Student Empowerment

Date: 15 November 2012

Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Isla Verde,  San Juan, Puerto Rico

Register online today, using TESOL International Association’s secure online payment system.  You may also register by e-mail and pay on site.  The registration deadline for  this event is  November 5.  For complete program and registration information, click on the link below:

 http://www.tesol.org/events-landing-page/2012/04/18/a-tesol-symposium-facilitating-learning-through-student-empowerment

I cordially invite you to attend our convention on November 16 - 17, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Isla Verde. Our theme isJourney into English as a Global Language: Embracing Diversity. It is our pleasure to have our 39th Annual convention as a joint event with the 11th Central American and Caribbean Basin Regional Conference. (http://puertoricotesol.org/convention/annual_convention.htm)

This year’s keynote speakers are Dr.Leni Dam and Dr. Sharroky Hallie. TESOL International Association is sponsoring our international speaker, Dr. Leni Dam from Demark. Since 1979, Dr. Dam has been an educational adviser and in-service teacher trainer at University College, Copenhagen. Leni is a producer of materials for language teaching. Her areas of interest are closely connected to the development of learner autonomy, differentiated teaching and learning, internal evaluation and the use of portfolios.
Pearson Education is sponsoring Dr.Sharroky Hollie. Dr. Hollie is an acclaimed author and professor at California State University in the Teacher Education Department. Dr. Hollie teaches reading for secondary teachers, classroom management, and methodology. Sharroky is also the executive director of the Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing stellar professional development for educators desiring to become culturally responsive. With the Center, Sharroky serves as a national expert, traveling around the country training thousands of teachers.
We hope you can join us in this special event for ELT professionals in our region of the world. If you have any further questions regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact us. I look forward to greeting and sharing with you at our convention.

Cordially, 
Evelyn Lugo Morales

President

Puerto Rico TESOL 2012

elugoprtesol2012@gmail.com

(http://puertoricotesol.org/convention/annual_convention.htm)

Centra Chapter Conference was a SUCCESS!

Our first annual conference was a SUCCESS!  Thanks to all the participants, to the presenters, to the Southern Chapter, and the PRTESOL Board for your presence, your support and for being part of a special day. Soon, we will be sharing pictures of our different activities! 

See you on November 16 at our PRTESOL Annual Convention 2012. Access the link to download the  Pre-Registration Form. If you want more information access the PR TESOL webpage.

Continue igniting the passion for teaching and inspiring  the  desire  for  learning. 

PRTESOL Central Chapter Conference - Sept.29, 2012

Our  Central Chapter Conference will be on September 29,2012 at Thomas Alva Edison School in Caguas. We will offer several workshops and an amazing plenary:  

The 3Rs in Teaching: Reflecting, Re-Examining, and Re-Invigorating Yourself 

Presented by Prof. Edward Torres, Assistant Professor, PUCPR, PRTESOL Southern Chapter President 

Come and enjoy our workshops! Some of them are:

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Dealing with Parents Effectively

Target Audience:  All Levels

Presenter: Mary K. Vázquez, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, English Teacher and Bilingual Program Coordinator at Thomas Alva Edison School, Caguas

As a teacher and the Bilingual Program Coordinator I have learned that parents are our most valuable asset.  This workshop will help teachers work effectively with parents, even the most difficult ones, and prevent problems before they happen.  The author of How to Handle Hard-to Handle Parents, Maryln Appelbaum, offers targeted strategies and solutions to establish positive and harmonious relationships with parents to enhance the home-school connection.

 
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Creative Teaching: The Use of Foldables in Class

Target Audience: Present and future elementary educators

Presenter:  Wanda Vega, M.Th., Religion and English Teacher, Colegio Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Hato Rey

This “hands on” workshop is to develop and encourage teachers in using foldables as a strategy in teaching.  Participants will learn how to construct foldables and how they can be used in class.

We invite you to our first conference Igniting the Passion for Teaching: Inspiring  the  Desire  for  Learning.  Some of our workshops are:

“Electronic Portfolio: A Deeper Look into your Professional Life”
Target Audience:  All Levels
Presenter:  Isamari Cruz, Ed.D(c) in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Technology, Math Teacher at Thomas Alva Edison School, Caguas.
This “hands on” workshop is to inspire and to guide teachers in creating a professional portfolio as a way of reflecting about their practice. Participants will learn how to build their Weebly site and to start their professional portfolio. Incidentally, participants will explore how to incorporate the portfolio as an assessment tool.

“The Burnout Syndrome”
Target Audience:  All Levels

Presenter: Jennifer Alicea Castillo, Ed.D, Assistant    Professor, UPR, Ponce

A conference for all levels that will open your eyes and will make you think about self-control, your relationship with students and parents, and about the importance of taking time for yourself. (Yes! It can be done.)

Mapa Edison

Dear Teachers and TESOL members:

 The Central Chapter is now improved and eager to attend your needs as a teacher and TESOL member. Our desire is to assist you in the challenges that ESL teachers encounter today. We believe that it is imperative that every teacher acknowledges the constant changes in Education that affect every students' learning experience. Teachers are responsible of their professional develpoment and PRTESOL Central Chapter is here to help you.

I am very excited to invite you to our Central Chapter Conference to be held September 29,2012 in Thomas Alva Edison School in Caguas. Our theme responds to the necessities that we teachers are facing in our profession.

I hope to see you all this day. We must ignite our passion to teach and inspire our students to learn.


Wishing you an excellent 2012-2013 academic year!


Vivian Rivera Maysonet
PRTESOL Central Chapter President