Events & Training

Professor Robin Barr, AU's Linguist-in-Residence will host a phonetics workshop on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 9:00am-2:00pm in American University's Butler Board Room (6th Floor of the Butler Pavilion).  This workshop will focus on ear training and transcription techniques that help improve ESL/EFL pronunciation teaching.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided; breakfast will begin at 8:30am.  The workshop is free to all TESL-542 students, $10 for AU students, and $20 for non-AU attendees.

You can register for the workshop by emailing your name, organization, and contact details to tesol@american.edu. Please contact this number with any questions (202) 885-2582. Website: www.american.edu/cas/tesol/

Location: American University TESOL Program, Department of Language and Foreign Studies , 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW , Washington, D.C.  20016

In fall 2011, coalition members began a discussion on how more and more programs are being asked to not only show learning gains from learners, but also what learners can do or have done with the language gains. Participants discussed how programs are currently engaging in this process as well as discussing the possibility of coming up with some group Indicators that the Coalition (all programs) can use to show success.  During this meeting, participants will revisit the idea of outcomes and help MCAEL to identify a common framework of success that all programs can use. Discussion will center on how to use these indicators to then explore ROI (Return on Investment) using national models. Additionally, programs will discuss how to help learners transition across programs or into work programs and more....The main point - SHARING WAYS TO ASSIST LEARNERS IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS AND BEING SUCCESSFUL.

Location: Conference room @ Nonprofit Village/MCAEL offices*

One of the biggest challenges an ESL instructor faces is finding ways to make grammar come alive. Last year, Caralyn Bushey offered a workshop on how to make grammar come alive in the classroom. Given the success of the workshop and the topic, Ms. Bushey has agreed to offer the workshop through MCAEL again, but with some new activities! It's not enough to focus simply on teaching the form and function of grammar as is done in traditional classrooms - students need to be able to use grammar to communicate, so teachers need to teach grammar communicatively.  In this hands-on workshop, we will look at how to develop and present grammar that is authentic, communicative and fun for teachers and students.

Location: Conference room @ Nonprofit Village/MCAEL offices*

More information coming soon - You can register for the workshop by emailing your name, organization, and contact details to tesol@american.edu. Please contact this number with any questions (202) 885-2582. Website: www.american.edu/cas/tesol/

This meeting will be in 2 parts: 
(1) MCAEL RFP Informational session, with questions and answers on the release of the MCAEL RFP and;
MCAEL staff will walk through the RFP and note any differences in the process as compared to previous years. Applicants do not need to attend the workshop; however, it is strongly suggested.

(2) Creative and Practical Strategies for using Data to talk to Funders
We all know that government funding has shrunk, foundations have cut back, individuals are stretched thin, we're spending all our time energy keeping our programs running, and wondering how we're going to meet payroll. Sound familiar? What do we do? This workshop will focus on how you can use data to support your promise to funders – that (1) there is a need, (2) the program is successful and (3) the program is making a difference. The meeting will also explore how MCAEL and providers use data to advocate for English language programming in Montgomery County and beyond.  During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to work with their own data (MCAEL grantees should bring mid-year report data to the session) or some sample data.  This training is open to program directors, managers, or any staff who handle data management.

Location: Conference room @ Nonprofit Village/MCAEL offices*

The annual convention offers English language teaching professionals from around the globe the premier opportunity for professional development in the field. Participants have the opportunity to exchange ideas and practices, keep abreast of current trends, foster their professional networks, receive mentoring on research projects, review the latest books and professional resources, and learn about advocacy efforts in their communities and around the world.

The 2012 convention’s theme is “A TESOL Declaration of Excellence.” The convention offers TESOLers the opportunity to declare their vision of excellence in all aspects of the profession. While TESOL, as an organization, has come a long way in the last 46 years, it is vital for TESOLers to come together to discuss and share issues of concern about, and ambitions for, the field of English language teaching. This year, participants are invited to reflect on their practices, voice their opinions, and declare their pursuit of excellence in the English language teaching profession.

In addition to the rich academic program, you are invited you to take advantage of a range of professional opportunities, such as the exhibit hall, Job MarketPlace, educational site visits, Breakfasts and Teas With TESOL’s Best, and K–12 Day. 

Member 

For more information: http://www.tesolconvention.org/index.cfm

COABE 2012 Conference, April 10-13, 2012

Hosted in partnership with the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education Join adult education professionals and students from across the country for this joint national conference between the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) and the Virginia Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE) , April 10–13, 2012 in beautiful Norfolk, Virginia, just minutes from Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, and other great attractions! Pre-conferences are scheduled for Monday, April 9th in the afternoon and Tuesday, April 10th all day, with the opening session of the Full Conference beginning on Tuesday afternoon, April 10th. 

Take advantage of inexpensive conference lodging at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel & Conference Center just minutes from exciting attractions that your whole family will enjoy such as touring Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Virginia Beach, various museums, and the world’s largest naval base. 

This meeting will provide an opportunity for program staff and instructors to meet or learn about individuals from other sectors in the county. The purpose of sharing and meeting these contacts is that the individuals may be a useful resource to the learners in a program. Challenges that programs have experienced and will be explored include how to help individuals while they are in the program with topics such as financial management, healthcare or neighborhood support. Also, it is sometimes challenging for learners to move from program to the next. During this workshop, programs will be provided with tools to help nonprofits help learners identify what level they have achieved and where to go next.

Location: Conference room @ Nonprofit Village/MCAEL offices*

Program Staff will explore or revisit the TESOL Standards in relation to their programs. For some this is an opportunity to explore the Standards for the first time. For others, it will be an opportunity to look back across a few years and see the progress the program has made. Program staff will craft or revise the 1-minute elevator speech that all programs should have to talk about their program. In the second half of the meeting, participants will group themselves according to the topics in the standards. Groups will then share success stories and challenges – and potentially hear some solutions from other participants!  

Location: Conference room @ Nonprofit Village/MCAEL offices*