Job Discussion Forums

[Tom Le Seelleur]

I just went to see David Kendall at the British Council who gave a great workshop on engaging the reader especially the relunctant ones. What initiatives are teachers and lecturers doing around the UAE to get students to read and especially how to get the parents reading as well?

One great source (perhaps the richest in the UK) is NLT - National Literacy Trust in combination with wikireadia which has captured a lot of the initiatives and campaigns as part of the Uk National Year of Reading
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/nltprojects/index.html
Tom

[Zoot]

Tom, how do you find out about these lectures, when and where they're taking place? You post some good things here, but mostly it's too late for others to become involved. Giving us all a heads-up would be good!

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Zoot
Get in touch with the British Council and tell them you want to join up with their professional development for teachers. You fill in a form and then you are emailed about Council events. There will be invited speakers next month for example but I have only just joined the mailing list. If you join Tesol Arabia or just go to their website and click Chapters, you can find out about the various events that are taking place around the country. This week for example, the Dubai Chapter is having a morning of IT/Reading workshops at the Canadian University on Saturday. If you are not a member it costs you 40 dhs.
Tom

[Zoot]

Thanks Tom! Good stuff

[Splitting Hairs]

I have started a reading group with some private students where we meet once a month in a cafe and talk about a book we all agreed to read. It really gets the students talking and we never agree - some liked it others hated it.

[Zoot]

Tom, I contacted the British Council because there was nothing on their website about the upcoming gathering in Dubai. The fellow I spoke to said there is nothing on now because it is almost summer, but when there is something in the future, they'll advertise it on their site and there'll be an application for with it. Where do I get information about Saturday from?

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Zoot

Look at Tesol arabia site link below
http://www.tesolarabia.org/chapters/db/

Program
http://www.tesolarabia.org/chapters/db/March28.pdf

Tom

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Reading Champions Profile

Interview

What memories do you have of reading when you were a child?

When I was younger I used to read a lot of non fiction ladybird books I used like reading about countries as my parents lived in Caracus before I as born and then moved to Turkey just after I turned 12. My mum but never my dad, read to me when I was little but then she had the housework and a part time job in a hospital theatre and seven of us to raise.

Can you name a book that you particularly liked when you were younger?

I remember reading a book about lighthouses. I was so fascinated and intrigued that I can still recall going through the book with the lights out with a torch under the bed sheets.

What do you read with your own children?

I read to my three youngest kids. Sam, Hannah and Grace love picture
books, fairy stories, puzzle stories, Thomas the Tank Engine, Maisy and
all the favourite stories like Cinderella. Hannah�s favourite at the moment
is Angelina Ballerina. Sam loves Horrid Henry. Both Hannah and Sam
read about 5 books a week. Thomas, who is ten and Joe(9) are avid
readers and compete with each other about the number of books they can read .
They are really into Spiderwick, Harry Potter and Thomas is reading the series on
Junior James Bond. We don�t have satellite TV nor any video games. This helps a lot.

What do you enjoy reading for yourself?

Nowadays, I have three types of reading. I normally read The Times when I get a chance to buy it on the way home. I am reading a number of English Language teaching books and articles as part of my research for my Masters and I love picking up books about the Royal Navy. I also love footy so I keep up to date with newspaper and online with the BBC and my favourite footy teams on their websites which I can browse from the Beeb. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/default.stm

How do you find time for reading for pleasure?

You just have to fit it in between the kids, cooking, cleaning, driving, work, study, lesson preparation. After the kids are in bed and the house is quiet then I get an hour or more. The toilet is another great place, the park at weekends, in the passenger seat, on holiday. I love reading.

How would you encourage men in particular to read?

The important factor in encouraging reading is to find books that target the interests of young people and capture their imagination. Studies have shown that students who experience reading in an enjoyable way are more likely to become readers. An environment in which reading is visible and celebrated can nurture a positive attitude towards reading, resulting in increased motivation and engagement. Reading role models can play an important part in attracting new readers and supporting learning through reading buddies or mentors.

[Zoot]

Tom, just yesterday I spoke to one of my Emirati students about reading - I'm trying to encourage the habit of reading and to develop the concept of its association with leisure time. I asked if the student's father read the newspaper. The answer was yes! Though because my student doesn't seem to see reading as anything more than a means to an end and pleasure doesn't form part of that end, it's important to encourage the practice.

It's good to have the opportunity to discuss something positive on this forum as most of us post for negative reasons in response to like experiences.

[carlen]

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[carlen]

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[Zoot]

This is a sad outcome, Carlen. It's great to see and know that you've made the progress you have, but typically management of MAG, wouldn't you say? I hope your school's principal, parent body and teachers are appreciative of what you've achieved. And no doubt the big winners are the students themselves.

[carlen]

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[carlen]

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[ap4058]

Not long to go now, I would say just pass the time you have left and leave on a good note, their is no need to bring about a revolution. I am sure that once you are in your new role you will have plenty of opportunites to bring in new ideas.