Durango CBTIS "Gets Real" with Authentic Tasks

Thirty-four English teachers from the CBTIS 130 in Durango participated in a 30-hour workshop on: Multiple Intelligences, Differentiating Instruction, Authentic Tasks for Authentic Communication, Fun Web Tasks, Authentic Film for the EFL Classroom and Motivating Teachers and Learners. On the last day all the participants made their own blogs which, whose links you can view here. The workshop was coordinated by the amazingly energetic duo of Ricardo Hagen and Guille Gonzalez.

The diverse expertise of the participants, ranging from medical doctors and food scientists to psychologists and engineers, definitely enriched our discussions. According to the workshop evaluations the majority of the participants found "Authentic Materials" and "Multiple Intelligences" to be the most useful topics. However, "Internet Tasks", "Blogs", and "Authentic Film" were their favorites topics. The greatest challenge was "task-based learning". Topics they would like to learn more about are: "Authentic Tasks", "Motivation" and "Working with large groups".

Please let me know how the workshop has affected your teaching by filling out my Workshop Follow Up Survey by clicking here. Thanks for your hospitality and enthusiasm!

After an intense week of making role plays, watching authentic films, creating blogs and devising tasks, Anabella, Alicia and I went for a picnic in relaxing Nombre de Dios to eat Durango's delicious gorditas ... mmmm.

MEXTESOL 2007 in Boca del Rio

For those of you who didn't attend MEXTESOL 2007 in Boca del Rio, Veracruz from Nov. 8-11th, it was a blast! With characteristic festivities and informative presentations, this national conference of Mexican English teachers was a wonderful opportunity to learn new ideas and meet up with colleagues from all over Mexico. It also gave me a chance to catch up with people who work nearby like the TOEFL team from IIE, James and Jesus (pictured above in the exhibitor's hall). Click here to view Neil Anderson's plenary presentation "From Egg Crate to Omelet" or Click here to see Humberto Roman's blog (MEXTESOL Aguascalientes) on TOEFL tips (which I found very useful). I was especially amazed to see the Durango contingent led by Guille Gonzalez who travelled by bus to attend. That's dedication! For me, it was great to see all of you once again.

Teachers and Coordinators at Relaciones Culturales in Monterrey Get Motivated

Ten teacher coordinators and trainers at Relaciones Culturales in Monterrey worked together with the Fellow from Monday to Friday Oct. 22-26th, 2007 in a workshop entitled "Developing Oral Proficiency in the Communicative Classroom". They reviewed new techniques for developing oral fluency, accuracy and assessment in addition trying out some strategies for effectively using authentic film in the classroom. Results from the workshop evaluation indicate that they preferred the Collaborative Routines and Lesson Planning sessions and that they would like to learn more about Collaborative Learning and Rubrics. Please let me know if the workshop was useful to you by filling out my Workshop Follow-Up Survey here.

On Friday afternoon 73 of Relaciones Culturales' teachers attended the Fellow's presentation "Taking Over the Reins: Motivating Teachers and Learners" and participated heartily with their thought-provoking questions.

The Fellow's visit ended in a conga line around the school at the "Jurassic Party" with the quick-witted, fun loving staff of Relaciones Culturales.

Thanks to all of you for your hospitality and enthusiasm but especially to Tere who put it all together! See you soon!