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A Thank-You Note To An Inspiring Colleague

September 2, 2010

Today I was looking for some interesting discussion topics for high school students. I came across with a web site which belongs to one of the greatest educators in my PLN, Sean Banville. I was amazed to see that there were 650 discussion topics and 13.000 conversation questions on his web site! I already knew his Breaking News English and Listen a Minute.com and just found out that he had four other web sites!

I got great ideas from Sean’s ESL discussions.com and wanted thank him and let more people know about this generous friend.

You can follow him on Twitter if you aren’t already. (http://twitter.com/seanbanville)

Thank you Sean! Please keep inspiring us with your energy and enthusiasm!

1

Have a Great Academic Year!

September 2, 2010

I feel like September is the first month of the year. Schools are opening! It will be great to see happy faces and teach fresh minds.

(By the way did you know that in Ethiopia, the first month of the year is September? They have their own calendar which is based on the Coptic calendar, and is eight years behind the calendar we use (Gregorian).)

This is going to be another great but incredibly busy year for me. For the approaching academic year, I don’t have any resolutions like learning Spanish (I’ll have those in December:-) but I have well made plans.

First of all, I’m extremely happy about aPLaNet, our European Union funded project. The full name is Autonomous ‘Personal Learning Networks’ for Language Teachers. APLaNet will help language educators use the wealth of ICT resources and Internet social networks that are aimed specifically at language educators. You can join our Facebook group to get news about the project. Next two years will be full of rewarding experiences for me since I haven’t been involved in an EU project before. I’d like to thank Joel Josephson for bringing great people together and giving me the courage.

My other challenge will be the DELTA course which I’m planning to start this month and finish by the end of the year (I mean the academic year of course:-) I feel like celebrating my 10th year in teaching… It was 2000 when I graduated from university and I feel that I need to refresh my knowledge to become a better teacher and a trainer. There will be so many tasks and assignments that will keep my mind active. (I can hear my friends saying “Don’t you already have enough???”:-)

My last but not least challenge will be the 2nd ISTEK ELT Conference that will take place on 2-3, April. We have great speakers (again) and a different format this year. I’m planning to announce all the details in November. Stay tuned!:-)

“Never say you don’t have enough time… You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein:-)”

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I’m Taking A Summer Break To Charge Up

June 28, 2010

It’s been almost two years since I started blogging. It was the same time I started tweeting. I didn’t know that both blogging and tweeting would be addictive. I’m so happy to share great ideas and meet wonderful people via Twitter and blogging.

This academic year was a big challenge for me. I started a new job where I have wonderful colleagues and the most supportive management. I have found the chance to realize one of my dreams: organising a big conference. I’m grateful to all the speakers, participants and the ISTEK team for making it happen. Before getting ready for the next school year and the conference, I need to charge myself up in order to make a fresh start.

I’ll be back blogging in September.

Have a great summer!

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