Description
It is a fact that the majority of the English teachers are non-native speakers. With the increasing of international students in English speaking countries attending graduate programs in TESOL or applied linguistics, the demand of EFL instructors all over the world, and the increasing discussion of World Englishes, much research and discussion have been done on non-native speakers' identity and needs.
In 'NNEST-IS: Networking Solutions for Professional Development' session, we will look at past research and current issues facing Nonnative English Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) (see http://nnest-evo2009.pbwiki.com/ ). We will be having asynchronous discussions using Yahoo! Groups, and weekly live voice/video conferences with leading experts in the field on various issues that are relevant to teacher professional development. Readings, presentation materials, and the discussion contents will be archived both on the Yahoo! Group and on the wiki. By the end of the session, participants will reflect on the outcome of this session, and how they could use the things they have learned in their teaching profession. This session will wrap up with a discussion of future directions for NNESTs.
Objectives
In this 6-week session (Jan 12-Feb 22, 2008) participants will:
- engage in asynchronous and weekly synchronous discussions with leaders and experts in the field on various topics- from becoming successful language educators to navigating professional challenges and growth.
- reflect on key issues involved in enhancing their professional development.
- use text/voice web tools for asynchronous discussions i.e. Yahoo! Group discussion list, voice/audio discussion forum
- use voice/video conference for weekly synchronous meetings with guest speakers
Target audience
Graduate students or professors in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, EFL/ESL instructors, and English language school administrators. This session is open to any individual regardless of his/her language nativeness.
Interest Section
Non-Native English Speakers in TESOL Interest Section
Weekly content
Week 1 [Jan 12-18, 2008]: Introduction. Getting to know each other.
Katya Nemtchinova: Introducing NNEST-IS
Brock Brady: NNEST: What's in a name? Why are we here?
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Week 2 [ Jan 19-25]: Discussion Topic: Lucie and Enric's article on NNEST: History and Research
Guest speaker: Enric Llurda
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Week 3 [ Jan 26- Feb 01]: Discussion on World Englishes (English varieties, ELT in Asia)
Guest speakers: Suresh Canagarajah
Yi-lin Sun, Non-Native Speakers Navigating the System in North America
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Week 4 [Feb 2- Feb 8]: Discussion on Teachers' Language Proficiency and students' perceptions
Guest Speaker: Ahmar Mahboob
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Week 5 [Feb 9- Feb 15]:
NNESTs' Teacher Education/ Preparing teachers to become successful language educators/ Action Research
Guest Speakers: Lia Kamhi-Stein and Luciana C. de Oliveira
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Week 6 [Feb 16- Feb 22]: Reflections: NNEST-IS: Where do we go from here?
Guest Speaker: George Braine
[Summary: Include activities and sample discussion questions]
Session Wrap-up: Ana Wu (NNEST blog editor)
NNEST Newsletter editor- calling for contributions
Moderators
Aiden Yeh is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham, UK, and her research focus is on Taiwanese EFL teachers in After-school Programs (Buxibans) and their attitudes and perceptions toward professional development. She received her MSc in English Language Teaching Management from University of Surrey, UK. She has published journal articles and book chapters on the following topics: NNESTs' Teacher Professional Development using online technology, blended learning, and web 2.0 tools in teaching and learning EFL. She is a member of the Electronic Village Online Coordinating Team, CALL-IS Steering Committee, and the TESOL Technology Advisory Committee. She teaches in Taiwan.
Ana Wu (http://fog.ccsf.edu/awu) is currently teaching ESL at City College of San Francisco. Born and raised in Brazil, she discovered her love for education after teaching EFL in Japan and studying in China. Her current research interests are incorporating technology in the classroom and developing learning strategies for generation 1.5 writers. She holds a MA in TESOL and a Certificate in Teaching Composition from San Francisco State University, and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Universidade de Sao Paulo in Brazil.
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