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Reading Reading Club: Club: Does it Does it

make an effective make an effective PD activity?PD activity?

Fatoş Uğur Eskiçırak, Bahçeşehir UniversityFatoş Uğur Eskiçırak, Bahçeşehir University

Istanbul Bilgi University ELT Conference,Istanbul Bilgi University ELT Conference,

““An Open Invitation to Collaboration in ELTAn Open Invitation to Collaboration in ELT””

15 May 2010 15 May 2010

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OutlineOutline• Introduction• Reading Club- What?- Why?- Who is it for?- What does it involve?

• Participants’ feedback• Suggestions to stakeholders

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Interactive sessionInteractive session• Your contributions (i.e. comments,

questions etc.) are welcome throughout the session

• Session tasks

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My Context: My Context: Bahcesehir University Bahcesehir University

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READING CLUBREADING CLUB

•WHAT?•WHY?•WHO is it for?•What does it INVOLVE?

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WHAT?WHAT?

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WHY?WHY?• To have teachers: - read more- reflect on their present experience- experiment with new ideas in a

collaborative way- share ideas with each other & learn

from each other- develop more!

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WHO is it for?WHO is it for?• Novices• The experienced • With or without training

• Volunteers

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WHAT does it Involve?WHAT does it Involve?• Reflection sessions• Weekly NTQs &

Tasks• A 500-word “post

reading reflection report”

• Please see handout

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Books read so far... Books read so far... (1)(1)

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Books read so far... Books read so far... (2)(2)

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Books read so far... Books read so far... (3)(3)

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Books read so far... Books read so far... (3)(3)

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IATEFL Newsletter: VoicesIATEFL Newsletter: Voices

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•Just a quick scene from a session......

• RC Video.wmv

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PARTICIPANTS’ FEEDBACK

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Participans’ Profile (n:10)Participans’ Profile (n:10)EDUCATION

30% 70%BA

MA

FORMER TRAINING (e.g. ICELT etc)

60%

40%Yes

No

EXPERIENCE

10%

20%

70%

One-Five

Five-Ten

Above Eleven

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Similar Experiences Before?Similar Experiences Before?• 80 % No • 20 % Yes (Literature books)

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Sources of MotivationSources of Motivation• Already fond of reading• To update their knowledge about ELT• To exchange ideas with colleagues • Positive feedback from former

participants

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ExpectationsExpectations• To learn about new methods,

techniques & practical teaching tips about ELT (8)

• Discussions with colleagues in friendly & relaxed environment (2)

• Most said their expectations were fully met.

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Impacts of RCImpacts of RCIMPACT ON YOUR AWARENESS

50%50%A lot

Some

IMPACT ON YOUR TEACHING

50%

40%

10%

A lot

Some

Little

IMPACT ON SS' LEARNING

30%

60%

10%

A lot

Some

Little

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Impacts on Awareness Impacts on Awareness (1)(1)

• “I really had no idea that there were so many different factors at play with the learner. The more I read about it, the more I became aware of issues related to motivation and such..”

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Impacts on Awareness Impacts on Awareness (2)(2)

• “The club made me think about my teaching”

• “After the sessions I was highly aware of the key points of TBL as well as other areas we explored..”

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Impacts on Teaching Impacts on Teaching (1)(1)

• “For instance, regarding task-based approach, I changed some of the things I do in class after reading the book and tried new ways of doing things”

• “Exchanging ideas and reading about new things have brought high awareness to my teaching practice”

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Impacts on Teaching Impacts on Teaching (2)(2)

• “It helped me practice new views, which I otherwise would not try”

• “RC activities enabled me to practice TBL more effectively; in addition, it helped me to brush up my previous TEFL readings and knowledge.”

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Impacts on ss’ Learning Impacts on ss’ Learning (1)(1)

• “The ss can immediately know and figure out how much the instructor knows. From the first lesson the Ss can understand the instructor’s knowledge. So when Ss feel their instructor’s strength they can feel safe and secure.”

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Impacts on ss’ Learning Impacts on ss’ Learning (2)(2)

• “...more awareness of the different reading strategies”

• “I think as much as I transferred my newly acquired knowledge about these issues, the more they started to think about them as well.”

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Adjectives Describing RCAdjectives Describing RCJoyfulFriendlyUsefulEnergetic ImprovingIlluminatingEnriching

Interesting RefreshingMotivatingThought-provokingMind-broadening

StimulatingFruitful EnjoyableReflectiveInteractiveAcademicChallenging

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More Rewarding ComponentMore Rewarding Component• Discussions & exchange of ideas with

colleagues on anything related to our classes (7)

• Attendance (2)• The need to come prepared to the

sessions (2)• Opportunity to reflect on our

teaching (2)

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Less Rewarding ComponentLess Rewarding Component• Reflection report (1)

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Limitations EncounteredLimitations Encountered • Lack of time due to too many teacher

responsibilities (8)• Need to write a review/reflection (1)• Lengthy chapters at times (1)

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Friendships after RCFriendships after RC

FRIENDSHIPS AFTER RC

80%

20%

Yes

No

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Reading after RCReading after RC READING AFTER RC

80%

20%

Yes

No

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Willingness to take up similar Willingness to take up similar activities in futureactivities in future

• Yes (100 %)

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So What?So What?• This longitudinal process is worth all

the time, cost & energy invested in it from all stakeholders’ perspectives so continue with it

• And also act on the collected feedback to better improve the program for all parties!

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Suggestions for ParticipantsSuggestions for Participants• Recognize the existence of

alternative PD opportunities • Take every opportunity to reflect on

your teaching• Take every opportunity to share

ideas with colleagues in a collaborative way

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Suggestions for FacilitatorsSuggestions for Facilitators• Be ready to meet varied needs: from novice to

experienced ts etc. • Have more teacher say in decision making• Be flexible re time, components etc.• Encourage reflection & collaboration with

colleagues • Combine theory with practice whenever relevant• Adopt a task-based & participant centred

approach• Provide more incentives to motivate ts

(certificate, reduced teaching hours etc.)

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