Job Discussion Forums

washingtonpost · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 61

I've just heard it ain't gonna happen.

So what's happened? The only PD thing that happened in Qatar the whole time I was there. If only the Gulag were like CNAQ. I've heard the new guy in charge has made a mess of it.

So is it true, no conference next spring? I'd thought of presenting something. No chance now, I guess.

Harvey · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 39

I have been checking their website as I was interested in presenting but nothing about a 2010 conference only last years.

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

No news so far. The group that was at CNAQ has more or less disbanded as the new person has had some problems with the committee.

From what they say, the conference is on hold. Somebody mentioned that it may happen next October but don't hold your breath. Those of us on the mailing list have received nothing since last spring.

Nobody knows if the committee are still meeting. I hope they send out a newsletter soon. The conference was one of the best teacher events in Qatar. Maybe we should get IMTIAZ (as they are now going into events management) to help out. What do you think? Maybe not, as they haven't had much luck down at QP.

Will let you know if I ever get a newsletter.

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

Still no news. Apparently there will be no conference this year. A shame.

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

No conference for 2010 but there is talk of getting together a conference for 2011. This past year has been a real mess for Qatar Tesol. Leadership issues and bickering. This is a darn shame as this conference is one of the highlights of the teaching year. Let's hope the team get off the ground and gets a more organized and committed leader. Too many QU cooks who just don't know how to collaborate was apparently the reason behind the fiasco this last year.

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

The conference for 2010 never got off the ground. It's usually held the second week in April. Hopefully they will get a committee organized to bring back this great local organization. Qatar is the only Gulf country to have its own TESOL organization. Too bad there was a series of misadventures last year.

stickleback · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 76

I hear the guy who messed this up has gone. He wanted to change the venue which was a dumb idea. I went to a conference while I was working in Qatar and it was pretty decent. Let's hope the show gets back on the road this year.

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

I heard about the 2010 fiasco. A darn shame that it was sabotaged. Is there going to be a conference next year, I may come back for a visit if there is one. The couple I attended were decent and well organized.

paperback · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 116

There will be a Qatar TESOL 2011. Yes, indeedy - there was some nastiness and QU sabotage in 2009 but things have blown over. You should see the convention centre - an amazing structure! This will be a big-time event!

http://www.qatartesol.org/

http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/seccss.asp?CID=2094&DID=13421

A TESOL Conference on Putting Research into Practice
October 1-3, 2011
Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha, Qatar

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Just speculating, but it looks like the US TESOL has stepped in a bit to get it up and running again... probably related to the US university branches in University City. The conferences of the other Middle East branches of TESOL (Egypt, TESOLArabia, ect) don't have their conferences listed in this section of the TESOL site. Looks like an "intervention." Cool

VS

paperback · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 116

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I've actually heard that there will be two TESOL conferences in Qatar this year. The one with TESOL in October and this one:

Qatar TESOL Sixth International Conference - April 8-9, 2011
Theme: Developing Critical Thinking in the English Classroom
Hosted by the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar
In this year's conference, our presenters will be addressing how to develop critical thinking in the English classroom. Have you developed strategies that work particularly well in classrooms in the Gulf region? Qatar TESOL is looking forward to presenting a wide array of presentations, workshops, and poster sessions which address the theme of excellence in the classroom.

I wonder if it means that there will be, in effect, two competing organizations in that tiny country.

VS

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

It's good to hear they've finally got it back together. That guy was a real sh.. disturber in messing CNAQ around.

paperback · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 116

They had a workshop the other night at CNAQ. I wasn't able to go but heard the speaker was good. Things are moving ahead.

lollaerd · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 337

Hurray! Finally. It's too bad I won't be there.

http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/seccss.asp?CID=2094&DID=13421

http://www.qatartesol.org/conference.html

http://www.qatartesol.org/conf2011/conference2011.html