What I learnt at IATEFL Harrogate 2010

I must say that before March 15^th, Harrogate 2010 seemed inaccessible. The reason is very simple: I live in Argentina and work full time on a teacher’s salary. Harrogate is not only 11,259.38 km away (6,996.45 miles) and more than 16 hours away by plane, but has with it a consequent travel cost. However, good things happen to those who try! On March 15th I was notified I had won the Latin American scholarship to attend the conference only a few days ahead. So I plunged into organizing the trip!

During the days before the conference I felt really excited about attending the biggest ELT event of the year and kept thinking about what I was going to learn and how I would make the best use of it afterwards. But I also thought about what I was going to do after the day’s sessions were over, so I pictured myself going back to the hotel, dining on my own… as I didn’t know anybody, except for Nik Peachey and Gavin Dudeney, whom I had met in Argentina the previous year.

So I got to Harrogate on April 6^th, the day before the Pre Conference Events and time flew by! Before I realized I was on the plane back to Argentina. So here is what I learnt at Harrogate:

- Although I believed my country’s education system and context was far from ideal, I got to know about other countries´ contexts more closely and I can now understand where we, ourselves, stand and I can focus more readily on what needs to be changed.

- I am mostly interested in technology integration in language education so I chose sessions related to technology. I attended amazing sessions on the use of web 2.0 tools, Twitter, digital game-based learning and virtual worlds by young innovative ELT professionals such as Graham Stanley, Burcu Akyol, Shelly Terrell, Ozge Karaoglu, Russell Stannard, Kyle Mawer, Nicky Hockly, Gavin Dudeney and Petra Pointner among others. In fact, all the technology-related sessions were packed! That shows quite an interesting trend in language education. I am happy to be a part of it in trying to contribute to its development and spread, by promoting change at school level and training teachers in technology integration for language teaching and learning.

- Although I am quite an active “twitterer” myself, I surprisingly found a widespread use of Twitter by teachers, teacher trainers, writers and publishers:

· to get to know people from different parts of the world

· to increase continued professional development options among the members of your customized PLN (Personal Learning Network)

· to set up e-twinning projects with classes all over the world

· to learn about and share valuable resources

· to tweet during sessions both as a note taking alternative and to share what was happening with other “twitterers” either not at the conference or attending other sessions.

- Social life was far from inexistent! That’s definitely also thanks to Twitter. Two hours after arriving in Harrogate I was surrounded by about 20 ELT professionals from around the world… who called me by my name when they saw me! What a nice surprise! I am grateful for the opportunity of making so many new friends who share my passion.

- I also attended sessions by well-established personalities and found out why they are so respected. ELT stars are accessible! I shrank at the sight of ELT celebrities, such as Jeremy Harmer, Ken Wilson and Herbert Puchta to name a few, only to discover they were warm and willing to engage in deep conversation about education and life. I was amazed at their honest commitment to the profession and willingness to keep on learning!

All in all, there is no doubt that this has been the greatest professional experience in my life so far. And the only way to top that is coming back next year as a presenter. So that’s where I’m directing my energy now!

My first take on IATEFL Harrogate 2010 - Part 2

So here's Part 2 of the highlights for IATEFL Harrogate 2010

Plenary 2: Students´minds and imaginations by Kieran Egan

Kieran shared a novel viewpoint of the process of students´ cognitive development by linking it to imagination and how it can empower language learning to make it more effective. A brilliant session!

Engaging lower primary students through web 2.0 tools by Ozge Karaoglu and Shelly Terrell

Shelly and Ozge conducted such a lively session! Both because they are very dynamic and because they showed actual videos of their 5 year-old students in Turkey and Germany. Those who were there were going “Aaahh!” and “Uuuhhh” when they saw these little angels producing amazing language through technology! The best way to convince anybody!

Web 2.0 tools that make a difference by Russell Stannard

Russell introduced screen capturing tools with a huge success. The reason was his innovative ideas on their use. You could actually hear people’s amazement! Russell has just won the ELTONS for innovation 2010. Check his website for lots of ideas.

The IATEFL 3rd Annual Pecha Kucha Evening

Although I could not attend it, there is no way I can leave it out! Just watch for yourself.

Plenary 3: Socialising students´motivation and autonomy in the English language classroom by Ema Ushioda

Ema reflected successfully on the importance of internal motivation as an essential aspect of successful language learning. She drew from the field of psychology and from current theories of autonomy in language learning to make a clear link between motivation and autonomy.

Breaking down the classroom walls: Web-based tasks with real outcomes by Ann Foreman

Ann focused on using web-based tasks to create a wider audience for students´ work. She shared some web 2.0 tools through examples of students´ productions. Good point!

Making digital sense in the classroom by Shaun Wilden

Shaun’s dynamic presentation addressed the issues of teachers’ attitudes towards technology and digital solutions at hand, including IWB tools, mobile learning and others.

Embedding creative thinking skills training into our EFL practice by Marisa Constantinides

Marisa’s session was serious and fun at the same time. She managed to walk us through the theoretical background and then surprise us with very creative examples. I loved it!!!

Task-based learning in virtual worlds by Shiv Rajendran

I am so sorry I missed this one! But I had to include as I am really interested in what Shiv does. He presented on task-based learning in Second Life by showing examples of a unit on innovations from the book Market Leader being turned into a series of tasks in SL. Worth checking out!

Final plenary: What is a storyteller? by Jan Blake

Again I missed this one because I was taking the train back to Heathrow… Thankfully it was recorded, which is both good for me and for you! Jan is amazing!

So this is the academic summary of the conference. I will soon post something more informal on what I learnt at Harrogate.

My first take on IATEFL Harrogate 2010 - Part 1

I have been lucky enough to be at IATEFL Harrogate 2010 to enjoy some of the best ELT speakers ever! The best thing about it is that most sessions have been recorded and can be accessed through Harrogate Online.

So what I would like to share is the highlights of the sessions I attended so that you can also check them out. The original post is too long so I decided to split into two parts to make it more readable.

Learning Technologies Pre Conference Event on the current state of technology for language learning. Discussion led by Stephen Bax, Scott Thornbury and Mark Pengrum was conducted face to face and in Second Life simultaneously. The technology aspects were brilliantly managed by Graham Stanley and LT sig team.

Plenary 1: The Professional Life Cycles of Teachers by Tessa Woodward

Tessa gave an enthralling talk about the different stages of a teacher’s professional life in which we could all feel identified.

Teaching the Mobile Generation by Nicky Hockly

Nicky engaged the audience with her fresh look at the potential of mobile learning by showing easily accessible resources and practical projects.

They just can’t hack it! by Gavin Dudeney

Gavin managed to address attitudes to technology through a witty presentation based around myths, which he attempted to demystify. And he certainly did!

Web 2.0: What’s in it for teachers? by Burcu Akyol

Burcu showed a variety of web 2.0 tools but focused mainly on the practicalities of blogs and wikis. As Jeremy Harmer pointed out later she “even made embedding widgets interesting!”

Before and after Twitter: Personal learning environments by Graham Stanley

Graham conducted the most crowded session I saw! His take on social networking tools to build your PLN was great!

What teachers do next by Jeremy Harmer and Carol Higho

Jeremy started the session with a personal anecdote which he then related to teachers’ need to feel alive. He then referred to professional development as a key element of keeping current. Carol finished the session showing some specific PD options. Unfortunately, there is no recording available for this session.

What students get out of Twitter by Petra Pointner

Petra’s session was incredibly effective in showing what you can actually do with your students using Twitter.

Computer gaming to learn by Kyle Mawer

Definitely one of my favourites because of my personal interest in Digital Game Based Learning. Kyle showed an amazing number of games that can be easily used for language learning.

IATEFL Harrogate 2010

At this time of the year, we start anticipating one of the largest EFL events in the world. IATEFL Harrogate 2010 is drawing close. The event takes place from 7th to 11th April in Harrogate, UK.
And since not everybody can make it to Harrogate, you can follow the conference online, participate in the forums and watch presentations.

This year the joy is complete as I have been awarded the Latin American Scholarship to attend the conference so I'll be there to enjoy it face to face! And I'll be Twitting about it non-stop!