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Capergirl · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 1:23 am Post subject: Dave Sperling presentations

I was at a TESL conference this weekend here in NS and they had a draw for three $150 subsidies for the TESL New Brunswick conference next spring. The woman at the table was trying to coax everyone into filling out a ballot for the draw, and she suddenly announced "Dave Sperling will be presenting at this conference!" Four of us went "Oooooh!" Razz

I didn't realize Dave was so well-known in this part of the world, but I guess it shouldn't surprise me since we were all (those of us attending this conference) in the ESL field. Unfortunately, I didn't win one of the subsidies, but I am seriously considering attending this conference anyway because I am very interested in seeing Dave's presentation (and so is my coordinator). Cool

Has anyone here seen Dave present? Very Happy

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

He did a presentation last month in South Korea. Their board has a couple of threads (and some pics of the after-party) about it.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Caper, why did four of you go "Oooooh"?

Capergirl · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 5:14 pm Post subject:

@dmb...Probably the same reason we were all excited about the book draw - all grammar books, writing books, and dictionaries. Laughing

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

So the ''Ooooh' was at the prospect of a freebie and not Dave's presentation?

Capergirl · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 7:28 pm Post subject:

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Oh.... I know I will be attacked for this but here goes. I do not deny or reject the importance of this forum. It is a great place for the exchange of ideas and opinions. We are all in Dave's debt for setting this place up. BUT... dave is no Lewis, Chomsky, Ure, Bolitho, Buzan, Lewis, Willis, Liz and John, et al. Need I go on. Dave is not in the same league as the major players. The people who dictate the course books, activities and our jobs on an everyday basis....... or is he? Discuss.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

I have no knowledge of Dave Sperling outside of these forums (and I'm quite new to them). During the previous ten years' teaching, never read an article, book etc or heard of a teaching method promulgated by him.
Love what he's done in setting this up, but what else? Or is it/he a North American thing?
Would still like to meet him though.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Dave Sperling is even known in extraterrestrial Cathay aka China!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I just bought his internet guide last week. It has thousands and thousands of useful internet sites on it. It's very interesting especially for someone who does not have an English library within 9,000 km of where I am. The sites I'm sure are a little dated, but there are enough to wade through. I like it.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Roger - Dave is "known" in what sense? Apart from the cafe, is there anything else he's done?

[And I mean no disrespect Dave, really, what you've done with this cafe is abolutely brilliant but... aaaagh!!!]

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Well, FGT, Dave has done a lot for me and my peers here since his website came onstream. I can't quantify it, really, but I would say, he has done a lot more than Michael Jackson, to name but one other famous guy, whose CD's cost a lot of money, and when you listen to the newsreel, they are bound to be talking about one of his paedophile escapades.
How does that compare to being in touch with the TEFL community worldwide?

sandstorm · Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 4 Location: Seoul, SK

Capergirl,

You can check out some of Dave's presentations at the recent KOTESOL conference in Seoul, Sth Korea.

http://koreabridge.com/kotesol/2003/sperling.htm