Job Discussion Forums

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Does anyone know of or is anyone a member of a teaching organization that exists and is successful in the UAE/Middle East apart from Tesol Arabia. Does anyone else use an alternative esol forum other than Daves that has a similar numbers of hits per day?

[veiledsentiments]

Considering the small size and population of the UAE, I can't see much need for two organizations. One is plenty and it seems that all of the larger institutions are doing their own seminars on various topics. What makes sense if you like this sort of thing is to join the one that they have and work to make it more what you want or think is needed.

As to other forums, any discussion of those get zapped so best to avoid it. But, same volume? no.

VS

[Tom Le Seelleur]

VS (what is your first name?)
Tesol Arabia is unfortunately particularly elitist in the sense that it concentrated (until very recently) on the tertiary sector. There are about 3000 tertiary jobs in this part of the Middle East. There are over 6000 primary and secondary teachers working in over 1400 schools in the UAE alone, crying out for an organization that represents their needs and objectives, Tesol has sadly, in general, ignored this sector. You also have the other educators, students, parents, charities and trainers. The potential for more than 5 or 6 organizations is obvious. I was hoping that where Tesol works well for the tertiary minority there might be another association that caters for the majority.
Tom

[veiledsentiments]

I was in the UAE and in the original group that brought TESOL in and the idea was that there would be a thriving section for the primary/secondary areas. I suspect that the problem is that no one has taken the initiative and done what the tertiary teachers have done. I don't mean this as a criticism, but that it is likely because of the preponderance of Western teachers in tertiary level that had experience with this type of organization back in their home countries. So, in effect, they have rather taken over.

My advice to you would be to get in touch with TESOL Arabia and if they seem to be ignoring you... TESOL US and get it started!! Now that there are more teachers who have experience with this sort of organization at the lower levels, I expect that all they need is someone to get it started. TESOLEgypt has a thriving section for non-tertiary. Try getting in touch with them for organizational assistance.

Personally I think it is more sensible to have one organization with branches for the different levels. That is what they have in the US TESOL (and probably with IELTS in the UK)

VS

[Iamherebecause]

http://list1.britishcouncil.org/scripts/wa-BRITCOUN.exe?A0=ELTECS-L

is where you can sign up for a series of British Council managed discussion lists - there's one for Africa and the Middle East.

Support for the secondary and primary sector at TESOL Arabia seems to wax and wane. A couple of years ago the session I gave was packed out with school teachers who had been advised by Someone on which sessions to attend - they even had attendance logs which i had to inital for each one (must have been a link to funding somewhere).

Regional TESOL Arabia meetings tend to attract quite a few school teachers - certainly my experience in Al Ain.

Oh, and VS: the British based association for teachers is IATEFL - International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. IELTS is International English Language Testing System. Not quite the same!

[veiledsentiments]

[Tom Le Seelleur]

IATEFL held a large conference in Abu Dhabi in January 2007 which was sponsored by the British Council and Abu Dhabi University. But it has not resurfaced nor have there been any developments from it which is a pity as it was considered a success at the time. Has anyone heard about any other International Conferences that are not Tesol Arabia organized?
Tom

[Iamherebecause]

There are other events in the region e.g. Sultan Qaboos University Language Centre conference - easy enough to get to from the UAE. Mind you I think it's mostly tertiary level teachers who go.

I have plenty of friends back home who teach languages at secondary level - to my knowledge none of them has ever been to a conference about language teaching though: PD takes place within schools. Maybe with all the PPP stuff and NAPO and all the rest the local English teachers are PD-ed out!

[Sharjawi]

I was a chapter rep for TESOL Arabia and many of the attendees (the majority) were K-12 background. Unfortunately, it wasn't always so easy to get presenters from that background. From everything I've seen on the TESOL Arabia executive board, there's a serious interest in having more K-12 teachers involved, but there isn't the interest on the part of the teachers. Part of that stems, I think, from the fact that university instructors have more professional development time and are encouraged to engage more. But if you want to help grow the Young Learners SIG, I'm sure you or anybody else who wants to make a positive contribution would be welcomed. Remember TESOL Arabia, like most professional organizations, depends on dedicated volunteers. Go to their website for more info. www.tesolarabia.org

[carlen]

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[Tom Le Seelleur]

I have applied for funding to set up an organization that is aimed at the non tertiary level. a decision about the funding will be made by end of May I imagine.

I will be looking for volunteers from the primary, secondary/high school sectors as well as libraries, training or other educators. It is hoped to have a basic managerial team of three in AD, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Western, Eastern and Northern emirates. The overiding emphasis of this organization will be Reading and how to change a nation of non readers.

The tertiary level cannot of course be excluded as much of the efforts come from there. The aim of each team will be to develop a program of initiatives that nurture and develop through presentations, workshops, events etc.. The aim is also to make the organization inclusive of students and parents for it is the home where the success of this kind of campaign depends. Each team will therefore have to have bilingual team members.

I have been a member of Tesol since 2001 and will continue to support it, however, it does not cater for the majority of educators nor students nor parents hence the need for another set up.

[Zoot]

Keep us posted, Tom. Good stuff! With all the development and reformative change going on in the schools in the UAE, it's time teachers of KG, primary and secondary had access to professional development opportunities.

[carlen]

Count ms in!! That is if my own job is funded for next year! Great work Tom. Have you ever used the auto translators. I have always thought that an online chat environment that used an auto translator would go a long way towards, not solving, but at least addressing the arabic/english divide?
I hope your funding is approved! Is it coming from the uni sector or P-12?

[Tom Le Seelleur]

If funding is approved it is direct from government. The ttranslators idea is a good one Carlen.
I intend to get further funding and sponsorship from a number of companies, publishers and educational establishments.
There will also be a magazine, newsletters and national coverage if all goes well
Fingers crossed