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TESOL NEWSLETTER
November - December 2010
FROM JAMES STAKENBURG
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It's almost time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season after that. I love this time of year - but wish it wasn't quite so cold. This newsletter we feature Ukraine - not exactly the warmest country in winter, but full of warm people (and lots of vodka, if that's your thing).
As always we have a teaching tip for you to file away for your future career, as well as details on new TESOL courses we are offering next year.
If you have any questions at all about the courses we offer, the industry or teaching ideas, please don't hesitate to ask me.
James
James Stakenburg Head of Teacher Training - Rennert WL-SIT TESOL Teacher Trainer tesol@rennert.com
212-867 8700
If you are no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, please unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
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Ukraine
The Inside Scoop (word-of-mouth advice from someone who's been there).
Andriy is Ukrainian and works as an Englsih teacher and teacher-trainer:
"Ukrainian hospitality is famous. When you are somebody's guest, you will be fed and watered really well J Ukrainians are very peaceful and friendly people. They don't smile a lot, but this is because their belief is that the smile and all relations in general should be sincere. If you make friends with somebody, they will be your really reliable friends. Ukrainians tend to be a bit too pessimistic and criticizing their country too much. If you help them see the positive sides of their life, they will still appreciate it. Overall, the culture and the life style are quite European.
The demand for native speaker teachers is quite high, ... (click here to continue)You can also find information about living and working in Ukraine here. 
Please note: While every endeavor is made to ensure this information is accurate, Rennert is not responsible for any incorrect information.
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TESOL Teaching Ideas
Using Twitter as a Language Learning Tool
Terrie Byrne, Senior Program Coordinator Tutorium in Intensive English University of Illinois at Chicago tbyrn2@uic.edu , http://twitter.com/tbyrne
Why use Twitter in the ESL classroom? Twitter is a micro-blog (140 character entry limit) with extensive social networking features and a culture of resource sharing and attributed resource recycling ("retweeting"). It gives students free access to authentic language input and a worldwide audience for practice in their target language.
Twitter 101 
When someone logs onto their Twitter account, they see their own posts and posts of anyone they follow (listed under the "following" link). A visitor to a Twitter site only sees the site owner's posts.
A Twitter user's posts will only be sent to users who have chosen to follow them (listed under "followers").
In Twitter posts, RT indicates that the content originated from another Twitter user, @ indicates a Twitter user name and usually accompanies a reply to that user, and # (called a hashtag) precedes a topic or search term meant to help readers find posts related to the same topic or group (for example the hashtag #TESOL2010 being used for this convention).
Ways students can use Twitter for Project-based/Task-based language learning
(click here to continue)
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Grammar Seminars for ESL Professionals
Learn new ways to present grammar in this practical workshop.
9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday/ Sunday Total cost $200.  Seminars are conducted by the Academic Director at Rennert. The next scheduled dates are December 11 and 12 tesol@rennert.com or call (212) 867 8700
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Explore Rennert on Facebook
Rennert's TESOL program has a Facebook page and sign up as a fan. You can see course photos, join discussions, find out details of upcoming events at Rennert, and meet new friends.
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Free Professional Development
Workshops at Rennert
All WL-SIT TESOL Certificate Alumni in New York can attend Rennert's free in-house professional development workshops for for the rest of their career.
Professional Development sessions are held each month.
Last month the session was on ways to get students speaking more in class. The topics for November are to be set soon and SIT @ Rennert alumni will be emailed with thr course details.:
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Observing ESL
Classes at Rennert
It's very common for people to wonder exactly what happens in an ESL classroom.
"How can you teach English without also speaking the students' language?"
"How is a communicative language class similar to, or different from, my own language learning experiences?"
"Will I enjoy teaching as much as I think I will?"
To take some of the mystery out of this, we welcome those interested in becoming teachers to come and observe classes at Rennert. Participants on the course as well as alumni of the course also have standing invitations to observe classes any time. This is a really great opportunity for new or experienced teachers to gather extra ideas and techniques. And if you are thinking about becoming an ESL teacher but aren't quite sure if it's the right thing for you, this is a great chance to see what it's all about.
If you are interested in coming in and watching a class, just give me a call or send me an email.
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Personal Updates
from course alumni
1. Merle (2008)
- heading off to Vietnam2. Ann (2010)
- teaching at Brooklyn College3. Carl (2010)
- teaching beginner classes and starting his own private teaching business4. Avril (2008)
- finishing her Masters !!5. Lizz (2009)
- applying to grad school
6. Clarke (2010)- living and working in Rio, Brazil7. Danielle (2009)- back in NYC after a year in Korea8. Sharon (2010)
- working as an ESL editor in Shanghai, China
9. Augustin, Vanessa, Katherine, Brian, Marcella (2010- working at Rennert10. Rebecca (2008)- gearing up to go to Hungary to teach11. Gwynneth (2009)- still loving life teaching and working in Italy
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