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gregd75 · Last edited by gregd75 on Sun May 23, 2010 11:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

'Exploiting Traditional and Non-traditional Materials and Methods in ELT'

Date: Saturday June 5th 2010
Time: 8.30am - 7.15pm
Place: La Escuela Mexicana de Negocios, Reforma Campus

Plenary: The music of English: Stress, rythm and intonation by Virginia Ortiz.

Workshops (more to be announced):

A little thing can make language teaching successful!!
Filters that do not leak English
Oral communication in the classroom: Promoting real conversation
A methodology that does work with young learners
Professional development for 21st century learners
English in public primary schools- are you ready?
Task-based tutor training online
Developing communicative competance
Appliying life-skills to the ELT classroom
Beyond the four skills: TEFL in the 21st century
Speaking activites to support your coursebook
Exploiting authentic materials
Edutainment: A new way to learn
Exploring rural education
Using wikis and blogs in your class
Why tasks and not just exercises? A review of the task-based language teaching method

There will also be a panel discussion, editorial exhibits, free prize raffle and plenty of opportunities to make new friends and to network!

If you'd like more information, then please see our poster and schedule at www.mextesol.org.mx or call the office for more details: 55 66 87 59

The conference is $370 including annual membership to MEXTESOL and free lunch and refreshments. You will also receive an attendance certificate which is useful for many educational institutions.

Are you interested in coming?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I am interested and plan to attend...

Open bar I assume? Wink

gregd75 · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:18 pm Post subject:

For such bargain basement value I think a cup of tea and a biscuit!

You'll be overwhelmed by all the stimulating academia to be wondering where the bar is, Guy!!!!!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Well it starts at 8:30, so I should be able to get to at least noon before needing a drink.

I'll be there...

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Greg,

I went to the link for MEXTESOL. What's the difference between the workshops in June in Mexico City and this big convention in Cancun advertised on the home page of the site?

Also, can some people tell me what their experience is with MEXTESOL? Helpful? Professional? Innovative? Dry? Whatever you've got to say, I'd be glad to hear it (well, see it). I love the idea of meeting professional English teachers and educators. The only teachers I've known around here have been backpackers. What do you guys think of this organization?

gregd75 · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:59 am Post subject:

Hello!

The regional conference is organised by the local chapter and is an opportunity for local teachers to develop profesionally. There will be about 20 workshops, a plenary/ keynote speaker and I know the DF chapter is organising a panel discussion too. Ususally these events have well know speakers but more 'national' people. Probably 200 people will attend.

The national convention is a different level! There will be about 2500 people attending and MEXTESOL bring people from around the world to present. There are usually 10 workshops an hour to choose from and the range of topics is very wide indeed!

I remember reading a topic here about you DF people (oh, I dont understand why you live there!!!) organising a get together. I think it'd be great if you'd be interested in going to the regional conference and combining that with a get together!

Membership is 200 pesos a year and you receive a couple of journals, newsletters and discounted entrance to activities. MEXTESOL sometimes can be considered more for national teachers, but my experience has been that I've gotten out of MEXTESOL what I have put in.

I have started the chapter and we have about 150 members now. The money from the memberships has been used to invite some interesting people to come to our meetings to speak. My idea being that the cycle will continue- more famous speakers, more members, more money to invite more famous people etc. I have met lots of interesting new people as a result of MEXTESOL and I have even submited a workshop proposal for Cancun (boy, am I nervous... about even being accepted!)

So, profesionally speaking, I believe that MEXTESOL has helped me to become a better teacher and to open my eyes. You know what its like... we are in our classroom and that becomes our world. MEXTESOL allows you to meet teachers at other institutions and you share common experiences.

Its not much money to go, and you'd get to see new people and to hear new ideas- go on, give it a go! What have you got to lose? One Saturday, thats all!

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Greg, what percent roughly would you say are native English speakers at one of these workshops, such as the upcoming one in Mexico City?

And the international one in Cancun, what percent would you say?

gregd75 · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 1:19 am Post subject:

ooogh. I wouldn't like to say but if I were forced to...

At our last Academic Saturday I'd say that 25% were native speakers, but non native speakers language abilities are very strong, mind you.

As for Cancun, I'd say maybe a little less, say 20%

mejms · Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 390

Ok, thanks. I can see that you're very gun-ho about it. I'll definitely consider going.

Guy, what's your experience with MEXTESOL, since you're planning on going?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Isla Guapa · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:16 am Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I'm afraid I didn't make it yesterday...had a late night Friday and the weather was just too gorgeous to not spend the whole Saturday in the pool. Sorry Greg, I'll try next year.