[etni] ETAI October newsletter

From: Mitzi Geffen <mitzi100@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Etni <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:21:14 +0200
ETAI Keeping In Touch
October Newsletter 2011



Hi Readers,

       We're back to work after the extended holiday break and ready for
the main learning period of the year. Of course, thanks to our neighbors to
the west, some of us in the sunny south are at home again, experiencing the
occasional bone-rattling siren that sends us scurrying to the shelter or
"protected room". Hopefully, life will return to normal very soon.

       ETAI has planned a few very appealing events for the next two
months, convenient for those of you who live in the north. The first is a
regional mini-conference at Ohalo College in Katzrin on November 17th.
Penny Ur will speak about accuracy and correcting mistakes, and a number of
other interesting sessions are planned as well.  Thanks to Michelle
Kinsbusky and Jennifer Spigleman for organizing this event.

       On November 17th, we will have our first-ever ETAI student
conference, at Gordon College in Haifa, where Penny Ur, Amanda Caplan and
Jennifer Spigleman will share their expertise, and a number of future
teachers will have their first experience as ETAI presenters. We are very
excited about this initiative, and hope that students who participate in
this conference, and future events like this one, will become active and
contributing members of ETAI as they join the ranks of English teachers in
Israel. Thanks to Fran Sokel for working to organizing this event.

        On December 28th, our annual winter conference will be held in
Nahal at the Wizo Center.  It is not too late to submit a speaker proposal
form, to join those who have already offered to share their great teaching
ideas with those who attend the conference. Thanks to Aviva Shapiro and
team for organizing this event.

       Details about all three of these events, as well as future events,
can be found on the ETAI site - http://www.etai.org.il/

       After the last newsletter, we at ETAI received a number of messages
expressing dismay at the lack of events planned for the south. Many of the
messages included phrases like "Why aren't there any?" or "Why don't
you?"  ETAI
events don't just happen. Volunteers offer to plan and organize them.
Members volunteer to present, members volunteer to arrange for a venue,
refreshments, organize the book exhibition, etc. Though we have a central
board of the organization, any ETAI member can contact the board ?
specifically Fran Sokel - fsokel@xxxxxxxxx , and offer to organize a
mini-conference, or help the organizers of one of the major conferences.
Obviously, the more people who are willing to give of their time to
organize such events, the more events we will have. We look forward to
hearing from you!

      In addition to thinking about helping to organize an event, please
consider preparing a presentation for one of our upcoming events. With the
start of "Oz L'tmurah" and the expansion of "Ofek Hadash", members will
surely be interested in hearing about successful and innovative ways to
make the individual hours we now have with small groups of students
effective.

       With the beginning of the implementation of the literature program,
ideas for teaching HOTS explicitly, interesting pre-reading and post
reading activities, as well as ideas about time management and general
logistics of the literature program, whether for the log or the exam, would
also be welcome presentations.

     Think about collaborating with a colleague or two to present a few of
your most successful lesson plans.

      In short, you are warmly encouraged to become a part of the active
cadre of teachers who make things happen in ETAI, instead of complaining
that they don't, or wishing that they would.

       Finally, tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of ETAI's
discounted membership campaign. You can see details about the Special Offer
to Renew 
Membership<http://www.etai.org.il/docs/Letter_about_special_offer_-_Sept._2011.doc>
on
the ETAI site. If you haven't done so yet, sign up and encourage your
colleagues to do so as well.

      Here's wishing us all an interesting and satisfying season of
teaching. Greatly looking forward to seeing all of you at upcoming ETAI
events.

           Best wishes,

               Mitzi Geffen

               ETAI Chair
[etni] ETAI October newsletter

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