It is a
long time since I've started with the idea of blogging.
Going to the last IATEFL in Liverpool gave me motivation, encouragement and
inspiration.
The IATEFL
lasted a week and it finished on April 12th this year. I had five
amazing days, went to wonderful sessions and most of all, I met lovely friends
face to face for the first time. It’s funny because I've been in touch with
those people for some time, some of them, for a long time. What good and warm surprises
I had! So many hugs, kisses, sweet
smiles and conversations! Not to mention Liverpool was the perfect place for a
crazy Beatles fan like me!
I’ll never
forget the sweet words, the amazing company and the lessons I took from my roommate
Ana Maria Menezes, who I first met online two or three years ago and who is now
a close friend and my advisor.
How
could I describe the happiness to meet Teresa Gomes de Carvalho for the first
time ftf in a cold rainy day in London? We spent 5 wonderful days together
laughing at each other, having fun and enjoying that amazing city (we love visiting as much as possible) before the
convention! And what to say about Michele Schwertner, the “Guria” from Porto Alegre (Brazil) who I had only met online? I’ll never forget her post on Facebook looking for
me on the 1st day of the conference which ended up with a lot of responses by friends and colleagues from all over the world!
What a surprise to meet Malu Sciamarelli, Carla Arena, Justine Arena and Vicky Saumell in person! Such nice girls with wonderful smiles! It seems to me I've known you for ages, girls!
The list is endless! I cannot describe the
joy to meet and hug again my sweet dear friends Ricardo Sili, Ana Paula Gasparini,
Dri Lima, Jeff Stranks, Graeme Hodgson, Paulo Machado , Mabel Castro, and lots of other people I love so much!
Most of the sessions I've attended had to do with technology and / or professional development. Eventually I concluded that there is no way back: Technology is a reality in the field of education and professional development is what will make us grow as people and as professionals.
As for
technology, although I am fully aware of the importance of it in education and I
have used it for a long time, I was really surprised by the amount of Apps and
new Apps used in the field of ELT, but most of all, I was really amazed by the
creativity of those who dedicate their time to teach and develop new ideas in
this field.
I was impressed by Carla Arena’s session who presented us with “Tools
for curation” and reflections on What has changed, the volume of
information and that Knowledge is now a property of the network. Yes, there’s no way back.
I do not want to
be unfair, but I was so happy to attend the session delivered by Chryssanthe Sotiriou and DIMITRIS PRIMALIS entitled
“Literature strikes back- using technology to teach literature”. I must say I was lovely touched by this
session and by the fact that I had the opportunity to have a short but invaluable
conversation with Dimitris, who I've been in touch for some time and whose work
I do admire.
As teachers we have talked a lot about learners being responsible for their learning process. What about us teachers? Have we been responsible enough for our teaching process and professional development? It reminds me of Luke Meddings session on PD when he delivered a fantastic presentation comparing PD to some Beatles songs. Awesome!
The list of wonderful sessions is huge and I would spend hours writing about them but wisdom prevents me from doing it.
I feel
privileged for the opportunity I had to attend this IATEFL, not my first
international conference, but my first IATEFL. When I think about our reality
in Brazil I'd say there is still a way to go. On the other hand, I have my eyes and mind
wide open and I know I am trying to do my best to become a better professional each day , but most of all, I want to make new friends, learn from them and share my knowledge and happiness with them.
"...and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"
Cheers!
"...and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"
Paul McCartney
Cheers!
2 comments:
What an absolutelz beautiful post to start with. I am looking forward to the updates. You brighten my and many other people's days with your smiles and the love you share so generously. Keep it up. Love is the only thing the more you give of the more you are left with. I'm so happy to have met you. Keep this blog going, you've got a lot to share and a lot to tell. We are here to read and listen.
Great post, Roseli! Your recommendations are really sound. As far as I'm concerned, I think all of us become mentors as we grow in experience and professional development but a humble position is always critical when acting as mentors and respect for others, as you've mentioned, is basic.
Hugs,
Marisa
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