Didactic skills development and improvement of competence in English teaching as well as integration and cooperation of teachers from rural areas and small towns are the main objectives of the English Teaching Market educational meetings that have been organized for 14 years as part of the “English Teaching” program.
The 14th English Teaching Market conference, held in Stare Jabłonki near Ostróda on June 27-29, was attended by over 400 English teachers from rural areas and small towns. The meeting was opened by PAFF Program Director Renata Koźlicka-Glińska and Krzysztof Margol, the President of the Nidzica Development Foundation “NIDA” that manages the “English Teaching” Program. The inaugural part of the meeting included also a lecture titled “Is teaching English an art, a science or a craft?” given by Jeremy Harmer, a well-known author of English coursebooks, coach, and teaching methodology expert.
During a series of intensive workshops and training sessions the participants had an opportunity to learn how to use information and communication technologies for teaching purposes, motivate unmotivated students, incorporate elements of theater and fun into a lesson, as well as raise funds for events that support English teaching. They had also an opportunity to get acquainted with projects implemented by teachers under the “English Teaching” program and the achievements of the “English Teaching” All-Poland English Teachers Association (which brings together English teachers from villages and small towns) during its first year of operation.
“Among lecturers were great, charismatic, and competent people: Jeremy Harmer, Jacek Pyżalski, Gareth Davies, Anna Abramczyk, Edyta Madej, Jolanta Okuniewska – nominated to Global Teacher Prize 2016 (that is one of 50 best teachers in the world) and many, many others. Despite the fact that summer break has just started, almost a half thousand teachers from all over Poland came to improve their skills, share their experience and plan their work for the next school year,” Wojciech Szulc, a participant of the meeting, wrote at the Facebook site of the event.
During the breaks between various activities, the participants could get acquainted with the educational materials prepared by English language publishers and NGOs as well as with aid programs providing schools with additional funds to implement educational initiatives.
A total of over 7300 participants have attended the hitherto English Teaching Market meetings. This year’s meeting was organized by the Nidzica Development Foundation “NIDA” as part of the “English Teaching” program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. The media patron of the meeting was TVP Olsztyn.
The “English Teaching” program was launched in 2000. Its main objective is to promote activities aimed at improving the quality of English teaching and learning in small towns and rural areas, as well as promoting English among students, their parents and all local communities. At the same time, the program contributes to the professional development of English language teachers working in small localities. The offer of the program includes methodological training and provides an opportunity to take part in small grants competition, individual training and consultancy.
