|
As you read this account, you may recognize the types of
events or circumstances that you have experienced in your own
organization. When grassroots initiatives develop into successful
enterprises, they not only flourish, they change. The changes are
influenced – or even caused – by the environment, the climate, the
conditions under which they exist, and, most importantly, the people who
are involved. Where ETAI (English Teachers’ Association, Israel) is
concerned, this long-time TESOL affiliate has gone through a number of
cycles of growth, development, climate change…., and set-backs. Such is
life!
Early Days
In the 70s, a group of university teachers of English for
Academic Purposes had got together to form an association that came to
be known as ISRATESOL. It was an early affiliate of TESOL International.
They met periodically at one of the (then) five universities to discuss
current TESOL issues and usually to hear from a guest speaker about
ESOL or educational linguistics.
Sound familiar?
A few years later, ETAI began - with much help, encouragement,
and sponsorship from the British Council - as a small band of school
teachers, from Elementary through to High Schools, getting together to
form their own Association. The early committee consisted of three or
four teachers, a university professor, the chief inspector (Ministry of
Education) for English studies, and some volunteer teacher-mentors,
plus an adviser (known then as an English Language Officer) representing
the British Council.
In the 80s, ETAI meetings were held in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv,
Haifa and Beer Sheva (the main four urban areas of the country). These
local meetings, organized by volunteers, took place on school premises,
after school time (4.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.), usually consisting of a
presentation or lecture, given by a volunteer speaker, followed by
discussion, or a workshop on a related topic.
This format must sound familiar, too!
ETAI’s Vital Role
For many years, there were very few professional development
opportunities offered by the authorities (Ministry of Education). It was
at ETAI that teachers got to learn more about popular issues in ESOL,
about methodologies, and about the course-textbooks that were being
prepared for use in the public sector. A popular local ETAI event was
the ‘Textbook Fest,” where teachers were invited to bring along and
present a (favorite) textbook that they were using currently. They
selected which group to join (e.g., high school upper level) according
to their teaching goals, and in an unthreatening, group atmosphere they
discussed the pros and cons of their chosen books, offering their
recommendations and reservations. The culminating plenum and feedback
sessions were enjoyed and valued. Reports on these events were made
available locally or appeared in the ‘ETAI Forum’ - the Newsletter,
which had by then become well established as one of the benefits of ETAI
membership.
My Friends! How You’ve Grown
The ETAI committee grew, incorporating members from various
regions and educational authorities. Thus, the membership was
multicultural and became increasingly multiethnic and multilingual. The
common denominator was that every member (and non-member conference
attendee) was a teacher of EFL. That continues until today. ETAI
received a great deal of support from the British Council in terms of
guidance, resources, mentoring, professional development opportunities,
guest speakers of renown, and organizational expertise. Membership
drives were instituted, and Annual National Conferences were organized,
bringing members – and prospective members - together for full-day (and
later, two- and three-day) events. They were held in the summer, in
Jerusalem (coolest place, climate-wise) at, initially, large schools.
They featured guest speakers, regular presentations, and longer
workshops, with input from the Ministry of Education
representatives.
Again, familiar format, folks??
After a few years, ETAI joined forces with IsraTESOL , thus
becoming part of the TESOL ‘family.’ This enabled ETAI to benefit from
the TESOL awards which included bringing guest speakers of repute as
plenary speakers to International Conferences that were held every few
years.n
The Conferences, Through the Years
At the Annual National (and International) Conferences, there
were the ‘usual’ presentations given by teachers on Best Lesson Plans,
Teaching Grammar, Games in the Classroom, and the like, plus sessions on
innovations in the classroom, on culturally related topics, on
innovations in technology - i.e., the beginnings of Computer Assisted
Language Learning and Teaching - and of course English Literature.
Theoretical topics, such as Second Language Acquisition, Communicative
Competence, and then , Multiple Intelligences and Multicultural
Education, were addressed, often by local university professors who gave
their services voluntarily. It was due to these types of sessions that
our ‘Peace Studies,’ ‘Peacebuilding’ events, and ‘Mutual Understanding’
groups were formed. Other types of events at the conferences included
workshops on a variety of (then) current methodologies and practice,
discussion sessions, presentation of textbooks, and experiential
activities where participants were encouraged to come together to hammer
out policies and ideas that they wanted to see promoted in the
education system.
Books and Materials
Local publishers had flourished in the late 80s, so gave
increasing support to ETAI. The Book and Materials Exhibition at each
conference became an increasingly important draw. There were publishers’
presentations, which formed a considerable part of some of the local
and national conferences. The publishers had begun creating course
textbooks for the schools program, which was mandated for compulsory
English (EFL) classes from Grade 5 onwards (until matriculation in Grade
12)*. Thus, when an ETAI meeting took place, publishers would display
their wares, and, where the opportunity presented itself, demonstrate
the use of the materials. They began sponsoring events, entertainment,
and refreshments at the conferences, making it special for
all!
Sound familiar?
Professional Development Courses Become Mandatory
In the 90s, with the advent of the Ministry of Education
Professional Development programs, and the establishment of Teachers’
Centers in the main cities, the role of ETAI became less significant.
Professional development sessions and courses had become mandatory, so
certain types of ETAI events became less attractive. Online learning
programs for ESOL teachers were introduced by both the American Center
(under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State) and the British
Council. Recently, a system of ‘Professional Learning Communities’ for
teachers of EFL has become part of the professional development program
of the Ministry of Education English Language Studies Department, adding
yet another element to the ‘reduction process’ of ETAI’s functions.
However, being aware of the value of a voluntary professional
association, the current education authorities now recognize certain
ETAI events and sessions (including local ‘mini’ conferences which serve
outlying areas ) as possible credit-bearing sessions. This has brought
new impetus to the planning committee’s program. And this is where the Hackathon** comes in! In the spirit of innovation and development, some committee
members came up with a different format for some ETAI events. They
scheduled four meetings, in locales which are on the periphery of urban
areas, but nevertheless accessible. Wanting to find out more about this
pilot venture, we asked Mitzi Gefen, current Chair of the ETAI
committee:
VSJ: “So what’s a Hackathon, ETAI -style?”
Mitzi: It’s an event where many
teachers work together to come up with solutions to a pedagogical
challenge.
VSJ: What is the goal of ETAI’s vocabulary hackathon?
Mitzi: To create a bank of lesson
plans, games, and engaging activities whose goal it is to teach and
practice vocabulary effectively.
VSJ: What will we ETAI members do?
Mitzi: We will collaborate in
teams to create these plans and games and activities, we’ll share
feedback, and create a document so that all participants will leave with
a set of ready-to-use plans for the classroom. We’ll get prizes and
goodies. We will shmooze, eat, laugh, share, create, and generally have a
great time together - a new and exciting conference
experience!
VSJ: Who will come?
Mitzi: You!! Teachers of all levels – elementary, junior high, and high school.
The Reports Are in!
We have now had four events. The leaders of the sessions were
delighted with the outcomes and the feedback following all four of the
Hackathon sessions. Format for future Hackathons may be adjusted. This
is particularly significant regarding the need for a lead-in or trigger
presentation, which will spur on the participants or inspire them to
delve further into their topic. The element of competition is a tricky
one, and the whole issue of assessment can be a Hackathon unto itself.
But the spirit of adventure is there, and the achievement of a group
venture gives credence to the belief that ETAI, a voluntary professional
organization, has a place and a role in our current educational world.
Yes. Things have changed, needs have changed, but the communion of like
minds, and the stimulating encounters that members have experienced, are
evidence that belonging to a professional Association such as ETAI
benefits all, teachers and students alike.
For more information, contact Bridget Schvarcz
at bridget.schvarcz@gmail.com
*Policy dictated that only Ministry Approved Textbooks could be used for class courses.
**‘Hacking’, these days, means exploratory programming;
‘Marathon’ is a strenuous race, often long and arduous. So a Hackathon
is a competition, but it is cooperative or collaborative in its venture.
See https://apiumhub.com/tech-blog-barcelona/what-is-a-hackathon/
for further information.
Valerie S. Jakar, Ph.D., is a veteran member of ETAI, joining
the Association shortly after she arrived in Jerusalem from London,
England. She served on other ETAI committees for many years, in a range
of capacities, but was most active as Conference Convenor, for several
local and three International Conferences. Contact Dr. Jakar
to share other ideas, memories of past events, and, perhaps, some
innovations or adaptations that will contribute to sustaining our
organizations. vsjakar@gmail.com |
