[etni] TESOL and my thanks

Hi all ETNIERS,
Although I have been back home a week already I simply haven't had time to
sit down and write a proper letter . However, as  I am finally on
"vacation""  I thought I should write a few words about the amazing week I
spent at the TESOL conference in NYC.  Since I was lucky enough to get a
membership to TESOL for one year I began to get their newsletters and when I
saw their call for proposals I thought why not, and sent in a proposal to
speak about how we use projects to teach English as part of our curriculum
in  Israel.  I was really surprised when my proposal  was accepted , meaning
I could present at the international conference in NYC which was held last
week. (April 1st to 5th)  After much vacillation and debate about whether I
could afford to go ( which I couldn't) I finally decided that it was an
opportunity not to be missed.  So by scrimping and saving and getting a
small grant from ETAI ( which I am really grateful for) I took a week off
from school ( with permission BUT unpaid !!) and flew off to the big APPLE
!! Well it was simply amazing and hopefully I will  write something about
my experiences at a later date.

 I was lucky to meet up ( and share a room) with two wonderful  Israeli/
English teachers  (one being Michele Ben who also presented) and I gained so
much from both my presentation and from attending many other sessions.
( especially one of the  main talks given by "our own " Penny Ur) . and of
course the fact that *the entire conference* was run by Israel's Valerie
Jakar also made *this* conference  even more special  !!! ( and I'd like
to  thank her again for her gracious invitation to Friday night dinner)

Being part of an international conference of over 8, 000 ( or  maybe there
were even 10,000 !!) English teachers was truly an incredible experience.  I
came back enriched (and exhausted)   .  I hope that I will  be able to
renew my membership to TESOL and start to think about attending another
 conference in the future . ( Next year it is in Denver while the one in
2010 is in Boston)  I suggest that all teachers consider attending *and
speaking* at international conferences.

*I'd like to conclude by sincerely thanking all those at ETAI who so kindly
 gave me a grant which enabled me to cover some of the cost and attend the
conference*.

Wishing you all a wonderful Passover or Spring break.
Aviva Shapiro

-- 
Try and Fail BUT Never Fail to try !!!

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