ALC Newsletter - 03/01/2018 (Plain Text Version)
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HELTA HONDURAS TESOL: WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING 2018
HELTA Honduras TESOL has come a long way since it began its work in 2014 through regional and annual events in Honduras, and through international representation at TESOL and IATEFL Conventions, as well as in other TESOL affiliate events. We have reached and surpassed our expectations by training 1104 teachers directly at annual conventions in SanPedro Sula 2015, La Ceiba 2016 and El Progreso 2017. During regional events since 2014 onsite trainings have included 1036 teachers from the different regions in Honduras and 6 International teachers from El Salvador and Nicaragua who attended our conference as participants in 2017 in El Progreso. This adds up to 2146 Honduran teachers and 6 international teachers trained in regional and annual events. Out of this number, 73% are female and 27% male; 67% come from public school contexts while 33% come from private school contexts (20% private monolingual schools and 13% bilingual schools). Statistically, we have seen an increase in training attendance of more than 100% from 2015 to 2017; this means we double and almost triple attendance at each convention. To us it means there is a need for training and we have been able to establish good rapport and credibility during regional events. The quality of the training we secure is also part of the reasons for this success. We have worked with presenters who have shared their expertise with our participants from countries such as: Canada, the US, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela, the UK, New Zealand, Portugal, Greece, Moldova and of course Honduras. 2017 has meant reaching new milestones and these are indirect trainings facilitated by teachers who have attended workshops: 82 teachers in the South Region, 85 in the North Region and there are plans to work with 200 teachers from Pre-Service Regional centers in the South plus 150 in the North on specific aspects of methodological trainings and 200 more for the Bay Islands and Western Regionals guaranteeing replication that trains 150 additional teachers. HELTA has increased international connections in addition to its connection to TESOL International and the Regional TESOL Group for Central America and the Caribbean Basin. In February 2017 HELTA became an IATEFL associate, expanding connections to Europe. HELTA also became a member of YLAI Network in order to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities for young teachers in Honduras and we are looking into partnerships with other affiliates and regional groups. HELTA, as 2016-2018 leader of the Regional TESOL Group, coordinated an online conference with EFL talks in order to promote the work and expertise of the region. HELTA recruited presenters from different countries in Central America and the Caribbean and two of its board members participated in online presentations for teachers worldwide. The talks can be found by clicking this link: EFL Talks Central America. HELTA Honduras has been granted augmented exposure and due to this work during the past three years, HELTA’s President will be awarded the Virginia French Allen Award for Scholarship and Service at the next Affiliate Assembly in TESOL Chicago for the work done. With regards to International performance, in 2018 HELTA will deliver four presentations at TESOL in Chicago: One as a panel to discuss English for Hope, a second presentation related to the follow up work HELTA has done regarding the Summit for the TESOL Profession, a third one as a round table to discuss Dual Immersion and a fourth presentation related to the use of Social Media for Affiliate Promotion to be presented at the TESOL Affiliate Communications Workshop. Regarding training for 2018, HELTA is expecting to train 1000 additional teachers at its annual convention. 2018 marks reaching an important achievement as we have been honored by TESOL International Association in allowing us to host a TESOL International event. Click on this link to learn more: TESOL Academy. The Academy will gather 200 teachers who will learn about: a) K – 12 Methodology, b) Teachers Empowered through Action Research, c) CALL in various scenarios and d) Grammar: Theories and Methodologies. The Academy will run from July 11-12. Additionally, we will host the 14th Biannual Regional TESOL Group for Central America and the Caribbean. Representatives will visit us from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador and Peru. We are also expecting presenters from the US, the UK, Afghanistan, Dubai, Portugal, Greece and speakers from other countries who have submitted proposals.
Finally, HELTA launched its website through wordpress.com and has information about the work developed since 2014 at this link: heltahondurastesol.wordpress.com. In April, our Newsletter found at this link: HELTA Insider Volume 3 will be launched with news, updates, conference proceedings and many more things! While we surely feel the last three and a half years have been successful and fulfilling, we are looking at more years of growth and great professional development for our teachers and our country!
Grazzia María Mendoza has Master’s degrees in International Education and TESOL. She has been teaching English for 25 years and has been an international presenter since 2007. She is the Current Chair of the EFLIS, HELTA Honduras TESOL’s President, and President of the Regional TESOL Group for Central America and the Caribbean for the 2016-2018 period. |
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