A Moroccan Teacher's Journey to the States.

Reflection: LanguageArt Course Online Sept. 2009

2009-11-23T02:17:00.000-08:00

Reflection Paper
Abdesalam Zouita, Morocco
Language art course online September 2009.
Moderators: Farah Kamal Pakistan, Maria Luisa H. Larcena Philippine, and Diane Midness USA

In addition to your final project plan, you will need to write a final reflection paper. The topic for your paper is to be a reflection of your online learning experience and the process of developing a project plan. The paper is required to be at least two pages long. Format: 12 Times New Roman. Double Spaced.
You will also include a copy of your project action plan.

As part of your 2-page Final Reflection Paper, please include responses to the following questions:

 What are some of the assumptions you had about online learning and international collaboration project work before this course?

Before engaging in any given activity, many thoughts tiptoed to my mind. How I am dealing with these elite of teachers around the world. They must be highly motivated and high-ranking leaders in the field of teaching. Therefore, what is the suitable interaction I should cater for, despite the netiquettes I have learned via my various virtual interactions? For very setting, there are very special people. I was wondering of my skills, and knowledge would be of good help to me during the course. I have also thought of the amount of time I should devote to this course online, bearing in mind the documents and articles I have to read besides the overload of my national syllabus and the family engagement. For a moment, I speculated how many grades I should get to be awarded to an accomplishment certificate.
The experience of the 19th iEARN conference in Ifrane, in Morocco, was awesome. It paved me the way to undergo this exceptional experience. I have already met one of the distinguished and intrepid, animated moderators; she was Farah Kamal from Pakistan. Moreover, I have capitalized on my previous experiences of online courses, including Oregon University, Kent State University, and MUVEnation (Multiple use of virtual environment), and on the experience of integrating ICT in my classroom through the use of Yahoo Groups, PBwikis, Google groups with my students. Therefore, I was highly motivated to learn and make others learn, or aspire for learning.

 What aspects of this course did you find most useful?
The course has been a plus in my professional development. I have learned a lot through the full of life, and ongoing interaction. All the colleagues were involved in fruitful debates over the course issues. There have been inspiring questions. These were the key elements of the success of the course. Colleagues provide prompts to make reluctant contributors to intervene and express their views. The course has made me review my local, national and some other international standards. It was a notable experience to know about Algeria, Pakistan, Oman, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ghana, Liberia, United States, to name but a few countries. What is exciting is that there is an unbroken communication from the beginning to the end of the weekly activities. For every stop of the course online, there is something new, which a calls for pedagogical and instructional data.

 What were some challenges and successes?

Certainly, there are some challenges, especially when you have to submit your assignments in a due time, after reading the diverse weekly documents. Some tasks are very challenging, when the articles are too long and you have some school requirements to carry out on time. Another challenge task is to read all the new messages, after being away for more than two days, to meet my colleagues’ needs or provide an adequate response. The successes are numerous. There is a remarkable socialization within the whole group. I have made connection with the participants. I have learned about the other nations: system of education, culture, their conceptions of learning and sharing skills and knowledge. I have travelled virtually to these countries to live nice moments. For updating my expertise and engaging in a fruitful social and learning milieu, I have stayed up late and endure extra work. I was so lucky to make successful connections, which I will develop in the near future. I have learned scores of things during this iEARN virtual educational forum. After all, my skills and knowledge grow remarkably in handling question

 How will you use what you have learned in the classroom?

After this enriching experience, I will cascade what I have learned starting by my school. As a have the RRCE (Regional resource center of English) and I am the coordinator of this center. I will attach to the RRCE wall magazine some information related learning circles, inviting both teachers and students to take part and explore iEARN websites and make use of its benefits. In addition, with the coordination of our supervisor, and Local branch of Mate (Moroccan Association of teachers of English), I will have some workshops and study days to promote iEARN project work and persuade the locally and nationally English community of teachers to combine between the iEARN objectives and those of national standards to promote.

Abdesalam

Summer Course

2008-08-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

It is worth mentioning that I tried to become a Pbwikian this summer. It is our fifth week instruction, now. We hope to finish by next week. There have been great fun and much learning have been taking place. There are a lot of gifts and much food for thought to be taken back to our classes and share with our colleagues.

Still, there is a competion you can partcipate in:

Back to School Challenge!

This is the best way for your friends to score a free gold wiki -- plus the chance to win classroom resources -- books, legos, software discounts, and more.

Learn more and send your friends to http://www.backtoschoolchallenge.com/

Nostalgia

2008-08-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

Dear colleagues,

It is true that being away makes it difficult to stay in touch.
We have been together more than five months. Maybe we get bored for being together.
Why do not you write or just leave a message?

Back home

2008-07-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

It has taken a considerable time to adjust to the conditions at home. In fact, I was so tired when the program was over. The program for me has been a great success for the amount of information and skills I have learned.

Therefore, there was a need to get enough rest and entertain the family, by forgetting all the connections related to deep thinking.

I felt so sleepy despite sleeping more than ten hours a day. What made it worse was that our school is getting ready for the summer vocation. Students, teachers, and all the staff are fully engaged to get the final result of the bacalaureate exams.

The picture above was built in 1882 in the atlantic ocean. It is visited by many people, especially when the tide is withdraw and people can get isside the building.

Creswood High School

2008-05-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

Inside Mrs Finn's classroom.

It has been a terrific experience to be in Crestwood High School. Visiting classes, presenting about my countrey, helping the teacher in the classroom and teaching students. I have the opportunity to conduct action research , interviewing the staff and students, and explore all the building equipments and facilities.

T-shirt gift from Creewood School

The main gate of Crestwood High School

Niagara Falls

2008-05-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

This was an awesome experience. We watch all the sightseeing surrounding the area and the Canadian borders. We have visited the tower of maid of the mist and took the boat for a tour, the three islands, the cave, the aquarium, the park, the casino....

It was one day trip, but it was exciting and very interesting to have a change. We were in small groups. there was a lot of joy and entertainment. It was an opportunity to know people and discover all the beauty of the place and buying gifts

We got raincoats to see the waterfalls and went in the maid of the mist.
How wonderful it was!

TRIZ Conference

2008-05-10T00:59:00.000-07:00

There was a great time of learning. It was theory of inventive problem solving. It is a method or set of tool originally Russian. It assumes that there is a solution for all the problem we may face. Someone, somewhere has already tried a successful solution. Therefore, we have only to look for that solution and build on it.

It was a mixture of presentations, keynote speeches and workshops. I attended two major full day workshops, keynote speeches, and a study day. It is certainly related to science, but it is applicable in the field of education.

I consider it as an extension of critical thinking skills.

Spelling Beee

2008-05-10T00:36:00.000-07:00

The playhouse square was wonderful and spacious. It is a big theater. the play was a comic and musical. It was one scene. It is a journey for having a champion by the end. Still each character reflects and use his social background and skills to come up with the best solution because there is a policeman who kicks out those who misspelled a word by hugging them and giving them a present. The play was interactive and revealing.

After the play, there was again chance for picture.

There are always people behind the screen to help in the program, we thank them too much.

We had had chance to take pictures before the play began.

This Cleveland before the play

English Class

2008-05-10T00:27:00.000-07:00

This is the last meeting in our advanced English class. All the scholare were engaged to come up with a role play including the maximum of idioms. We were supposed to act it out. It was awesome activity as it involve a lot of fun and humour.

After that, we were given an evaluation sheet in Room 21

My School

2008-05-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Students have lunch at home. They are free from 12 to 2 p.m. They usually study from 8 to 12 and 2 to 6.

Teachers do not have specific offices. In high School , teachers teach for 21 hours a week, which is divided on the six days of the week. A teacher may work from two hours to four hours daily according to the schedule.

Inside the school, there are some trees and green space.

Students are having a global test.

Regional resource center of English.

It is a small library for English as a subject.

Baby!

2008-04-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

I look for all vocabulary in all dictionaries
Struggling for centuries
Using all stationery in every stationary
I made all inquiry and query
I come up with an inventory
However, … is not there for me
Is this temporary?
Maybe …. is in a library
They say do not worry
Wants to have her history

This is not glory,
I make use of my photo gallery
To get rid of misery
To recall back moments of luxury
I hate boundaries
And having territory
That is my victory
I swear, I will bring costume and jewelry
Is this satisfactory?
Am I writing poetry!
Let's make it a summary
Hey, I am holding a rosemary if necessary,

Trip to Columbus

2008-04-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we went for a trip to Columbus. It was on 4th April, 2008.

We started our trip early in the morning. We took one van and one limousine. It was so nice, despite the rain. So, we did not have chance to visit the place and explore the area which would have given much value to the trip.

The first stop, we had a meeting with the Ohio academic staff who were kind to answer our questions about issues related to education: "No Child Left Behind" NCLB and all the its outcome for the benefits of students. There is a lot of investment of money, energy and effort, but still the problems of education were not solved. We talked about the role of teachers in contributing to meaningful learning, how parent involve, and testing, namely standardized test which are designed by companies....

The person in charge of the meeting : its effectiveness and success.

The second stop was to the teacher association or union where we were give an overview of its role in helping teachers all over the country in promoting the learning and defending their own rights.

We were offered lunch there.

The discussion continue while debating various problems and the struggle teachers face, how the board is elected, how they coordinate among teachers and the academy and how they contribute to professional development.

The third stop was visiting the Parliament where we were offered information about the legislative rules, how the election for this parliament is carried out. We know about the history of the building and the two different chambers.

What is amazing is the integration of technology in voting and the structure of each county or city and the portion of members who should join the parliament.

This is an optic illusion when you look critically to the floor under your feet you see that there are parallels, but if you look ahead, you notice that there are circles.

An outside picture and an overview of The parliament in Columbus.

The third stop was with the first lady. She is the spouse of the governor of Ohio. We talked about her role and the different tasks she may do to help in the accomplishment of the rules in the state of Ohio and meeting the people's needs as she is a Dr. psychologist.

Saturday Music Concert

2008-04-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

last Saturday, April, 5th, 2008, I was invited to a musical concert in Akron university.

I was invited together with two other fellows.

The concert was ........

We had the opportunity to take some pictures before the concert start. Also, we explored the place which is giant. It provides places where to practice and have much entertainment. The concert was done by the students in the university.

Having fun

2008-04-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

Being in the states engaged in learning by making a lot of sacrifice: leaving the beloved ones behind, friends, our students, environment... It is hard to keep the spirit of learning and the need for exploring what is related to culture and education. We are lucky to know not only about the States, but to know about other eight countries.

Time of entertainment was badly needed. This event was when we celebrate our colleagues birthdays: from Malaysia and Bangladesh. After the celebration, we had a lot of fun; telling stories, jokes, puzzle, playing games and competing with each other.

This was hide and seek game

Read Across America

2008-04-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

It was on March 30th , 2008, I was among the teachers who offered to help in this educational meeting. It was devoted to Kindergarten to 4th grade children. It was a workshop to help children to pursue meaningful learning. It involves many activities, including reading short stories, drawing, painting, music, making puppets, playing games. This event was so interesting as i learnt how important it is to integrate all learning strategies to cater for the needs of the learners.

They were many hands on activities and psycho motor skills to make the kids move and play and manipulate all the materials they were provided with.

What more, all the participants were offered a certificate of participation, which is really valuable and significant for any cultural activity which necessitate the needs of other people offering to help.

These students are acting the roles of clowns to welcome the children and have fun with them during all the activities.
They are celebrating the birthday of .................. , therefore they have cake by the end of the celebration.

This was taken before the beginning of the event.

Spring Break

2008-03-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Standing and waiting for the parade to start in Cleveland

part of the parade: A lot of people marching. music bands, the majority of people were wearing green garments.

Vising the library of the first laddies. It is the first library set in the states about the tasks, history of women who were mostly wives of the previous United States' presidents. It is worth visiting.

These photos are with two ex-teachers working in the library

These photos were one day before the spring break, we went for a shopping journey learning about other nations' food and ways of shopping.

Shopping center in Cleveland.

Indian food and spices store.

The van that we took during the trip.

We cook something, but it turns to be something else

2008-03-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Arriving to the States , spending over than twelve days in Philadelphia and exploring the sort of food that the restaurants and groceries offer, I have decided to cook for myself and do something resembling Moroccan meals.

I have succeeded to find the necessary ingredients and utensils to be used for the cooking. However, we cook lentils, but they turned to be soup. several times, I added a lot of salt or another kind of species, sometimes, it would be too much sugar. Sometimes, everything would be burnt or I would discover that there is something that I must not eat as pork or wine, then , I would throw it and start anew to cook something else.

This is the second cake that I was able to bake on my own

This is soup I had in a potluck dinner by one of my instructors.

This a Moroccan a teapot. I was making a cup of tea after a school journey.

Jump into fire

2008-03-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

I could not remember which day was it. There were two events or two birthdays: my Indian teaser's friend and the a new born for my Moroccan friend. It was exciting and awesome. We had a big cake and some presents for the baby.

Later in that day, we attended a presentation about leadership and the issue of leaving home and coming to the States.

It was not that easy to leave the beloved ones, family, friends, students and the environment one is used to. The fact of accepting to come was the first step in the journey. I got to know most of my colleagues: entertainer, easy going, serious, advantage takers of every single benefit they come across, spy, careless, hardworking, devotees, good friends, open-minded and narrow-minded. It is not confusing to meet all these variety of people.

As I would always say I learnt not only about one countries, but about eight countries, including mine. I learnt about my history, geography, traditions, culture, food. It is a deep look to values, emotions,

Jump into fire 1

2008-03-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

The great teacher who does the best he can to make his students succeed in their life and be fully involved in society.

This evening is marked by watching a movies 'Stand And Deliver' by Hal Erickson Edward. Some ILEP meet to see the film. You can see more information when visiting:

http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:46436

James Olmos portrays the real-life Jaime Escalante, a no-nonsense mathematic teacher in a tough East LA high school. Handed a classroom full of "losers" and "unteachables," Escalante is determined to turn his young charges' lives around. Drawing from his own cultural heritage, Escalante forms a bond with his largely Hispanic student body, evoking the names of famous Spaniards and Latin Americans whose great accomplishments were predicated on their ability to learn. The students gradually come to realize that the only way they'll escape their own poverty-stricken barrio is to improve themselves intellectually. As a result, the class' academic achievements soar dramatically — too dramatically for the Educational Testing Service, which is convinced that the class' high test scores are the results of cheating. The triumphant exoneration of Escalante's students provides Stand and Deliver with its rousingly upbeat conclusion.

Women's day

2008-03-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

It is interesting to think if we do really need a women's day. Charmin wants women to have a daily celebration. She suggests that the problem, now, is caring to have a men's day.

Actually, in my country, the women is highly evaluated. ' Paradise is under the feet of the mother' Which means you have to respect your mother and never ever makes her angry or irritated. Girls should be cared for in our society. They should be educated appropriately; the reward is heaven in the afterlife.

If you educate a woman, you educate a the whole nation with its values and its traditions. In our country there is no appropriate relationship between a man and a woman beyond the marital relationship. We do not have this relationship of a boyfriend or boyfriend living together under the same roof. Those who are boyfriend or girlfriend are not supposed to act it publicly. Girls and boys have the same opportunities to go to school and choose their own job according to their scholastic achievement. They can choose the one they would like to marry. Before or after marriage, they can have an agreement about the way of life they want to lead, especially if both of them have a job.

I would say that girls tend to excel in learning languages and boys excel in scientific subjects. The girls free time may be spend at home helping their mother in the housework while boys may go out to cybercafes, sport cubs, association or just hang around with their friends.

Nowadays, girls are educated to think out of the box and be creative. There used to be no female teachers in my primary and junior high school. I have to chance to have a wonderful philosophy teacher in my 11th grade in my senior high school.

Take it Home!

2008-03-03T22:31:00.000-08:00

It is very revealing to reflect about one's achievement and the amount of knowledge and practical aspects one has learned so far from this program. Certainly, I am making the most of my precious time to learn, reflect, and evaluate. I am implementing the concept of critical thinking in my studies. So far I have attended three courses, but I am unable to continue taking the fourth on line. I will be writing about some key elements of these courses:

Action research Dr. Dowdy

The procedures and the steps to carry out action research are very important in this course. It is the ‘a b c’ of researchers. It is a way of improving our teaching practices. It is through trial and error that I learn. The problem must be recognized and solutions to transcend and underscore the impediments to make the learners achieve and learn better. I started from a big issue, culture, and tried to narrow down the scope of my research to the pragmatic aspects of the language. I will be dealing with the speech acts of greeting. I will be working to improve the Moroccan students' performance to greeting as the American Native speakers of English do. I will teach my students the social use of the language and give them enough tools of language to meet my overall objectives.

Teacher’s education By Dr. Ambrose

I have learned about the American system of education and the reasons behind the act of "No child left behind." I learned about tracking, inclusion and the struggle the schools have to reach the requirements by 2010 requirements. I have learned about the kinds of school in the States: public, charter, religious schools, the ways school are raising funds, and the expectations of parents and the local and federal government. I learned about the amount of children and parent involvement in achieving high scores at school.
This course will make me reflect about my teaching strategies and about the fact of being a student. I will draw analogies and comparisons between being a teacher and being a student. There are lessons that I would benefit from these various reflections to better foster my professional development. Hence, I will enhance learning in my school and spread the acquired knowledge and practices to my colleagues back home.

Multicultural counseling by Dr. Marty Jenuis

Multicultural counseling is one of the courses I would recommend for future ILEP fellows to take. I would like the Kent State University to suggest it or make it part of the required courses. This course makes one learn how to be a social and global citizens. It helps to understand oneself. It uses all the human diversity and goes deep in analyzing the human relationship by considering any social, political, ethnic, psychological, intellectual factors to counsel between people. It means the person has to be a social counselor before being a teacher. It would be great to know about your students. The more you know about them, the more it would be a helping force to aspire for excellence.

Theodore Roosevelt Dramma Guild

2008-03-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

Dr. Martin & his Wife Mrs. Aileen

This is Dr. Marty, the man, the husband, the cooker, the socisl conselor. the educator. He does not know how to say no. He is open-hearthed in the house, at work, at classroom, on the phone... great

Invitation
I am Dr. Marty Jencius from Kent State University.I am sending this email to a few of the ILEP visitors who I have had somecontact with since you have come to Kent. Either we have spoken, or you havealready been to my house, or perhaps we have gone on a shopping expeditiontogether. This Saturday my daughter, Hannah, has a lead role in her high schoolmusical "Guys and Dolls". This is a traditional American musical comedywhich is about gamblers and falling in love. I would like to invite you tojoin me and my family as my guest to a dinner before the show and then tosee the show.As a visitor, you will get to see what American high school drama/musicprograms are like. For dinner before, I am cooking a traditional Turkeydinner with casual seating and eating.I will be planning on having cars to pick you up Saturday at 4:30, we canhave dinner and visit, and then head over to the play at 6:45 for the 7:30show. I hope you can attend .Dr. Jencius
Dr. Jencius

Dinner

Turkey is the great celebration that the 7 ILEP attended with some members of the family. Turkey is an unforgettable. It is cooked in the Chritmas time when the whole family would come together. One and only one family would cook. They meet in one house to have much fun and entertainment.

Mrs. Aileen, Morgan, Mary, Abdesalam, Hary,

The host Dr. ..... is assisting the guest in the table with cheerful welcome.

Theater This is before the beginning of the play.

The heroes of the plays: Hana Dubois and Peter Kierstead

It is a title of the play that we have attended on March 1,2008 at 7:30 p.m.

It is wow! It is a national celebration for me. That's school performance, getting students realiaze their dream

The main ctors and actress of the play. A photo with the hero.
After the play, the actors and actress got out to meet the audience.

Food

2008-03-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Food would be one of the most missing elements, once you are in the States. Everyone is on the move. There is very limited time for cooking at home if no guest is coming. Even the guest would most often be invited to restaurants or cafes. In streets, you cannot pass by without seeing a person holding a cup of coffee, tea or carrying a sandwich. Food is everywhere: in the classroom, streets, library, office, buses, market...Most food is in packets ready to consume and easy to handle. Many people just eat out. The family rarely meets to eat together. In the American family, I was told that anyone can open the fridge to eat on his own or prepare it. The Fridge is always full of cans, packages. It is just heat to eat. What is really peculiar in the States, all sorts of international food is available. Stores are full of different ingredients. There are special stores for any community that may live in this country. But, the food is either too sweet or salty.

I am just wondering about the numbers of females in stores, schools? Are they the females' land? Is there any culture associated to this?

Most of the times, as I have learned food is associated with business. The manners of eating are significant. The person would not be hired for not sitting ‘appropriately’, the kind of ordering, the ways of eating, putting and utilizing the table’s utensils including: fork, spoon and Knife; the use of napkin is of equal importance. How to behave vis-à-vis the ladies, sitting on your right or the ladies, if you are the only male around the table?

In our country, we eat just fresh food including vegetables and fruits, meat. All ingredients are so good, nice and tasty. It is healthy food. Probably, that's why some Americans carry extra pounds of weight. Our beast should be killed (slaughtered) appropriately. The beasts must not suffer; feel afraid when they are being slaughtered. They are supposed not to see the knife or blood. They must be treated gently. The bucher must alter the name of God in the beginning of killing the animal. The beast must be made to face the Kiblah (Prayer's direction, the direction of sunrise). We do not eat pork or drink wine no matter what sort or expensive it may be.

Before eating, we say "Bismi Allah' in the name of Allah, after washing our hands. We eat and drink with our right hand. We eat from the same plate, but we can use forks and spoons and eat from different plates. Each one is to eat from what is immediately in front of them. When we finish, we say " Hamdo Lillah' Thanks Allah.

culture!

2008-03-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

Back form the white Hall to our place of residence. Photo leaning on the brain.

A very traditional way of baking bread using wood. Wow! it is delicious!

Being here for more than two months, now, it would feasible to draw some analogies and comparison between my culture and The American culture. It seems that the American are very polite when addressing a person. The words or phrases " Thank you / Sorry, Excuse me/ us are very recurrent almost whenever and whenever you are in. In Morocco, everybody would greet you and say 'peace upon you' in small cities or villages. It is the same in the suburban areas, but some people may ignore you. The Moroccan host present milk and date ( Gofio, Zrig in Sahara). The American, would suggest something to drink before any meal. You may engage with an American in sharing conversation.

A photo while visiting a village in the South East of my home country.

What I have learnt so far is that people in New York and Philadelphia appear to be more preoccupied. Pedestrians in New York do not give much attention to vehicles. They may cross the streets regardless the coming vehicles. Whereas, in Philly and Kent respect is show. Pedestrians won't walk unless the light is green. However, the horns are never heard as it is deemed to be an insult . In our country, It would be so odd if not using horns to make the pedestrians alert.

Beyond the Growing Seasons

2008-02-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

You cannot imagine how an educational work will expand and flourich when you start compiling a data to include in your work. That's what came up from this Hartville life depiction. Many teachers are involved to have the book in their curriculum, studies, lesson plans, policy...

On the satge of the conference & hot choclate

These people are part of the community; 'they have access to the author's identity with the local community' said a Canton County school teacher who teaches 6, 7, 8th grades. He implement critical thinking skills in his classroom and students can identify with the characters of the story. The math teacher teaches about measures and strategies to count for farmers. The school principle spoke about 'a police car' which was driven by the bridegroom. the car was something unacceptable in the hartville community from Texas in the begining. It is getting to know this community importance. We should 'not think out of the box' We have got to know the culture we are communicating with. We have to listen, converse, discuss, read, analyse the needs and requirements.

Conference Growing Seasons

2008-02-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

Thursday, February, 26th , 2008.

Migrant workers do not stop their work when the weather turns harsh—like them, we are still on for this evening!

The Gerald H. Read Distinguished lecture Series will feature Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community and its Educational Implications, tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the KIVA.

David Hassler and Gary Harwood, and the panel of educators will be there to inform and to inspire you with the story of the Hartville migrant community ... warm your heart with stories of family, coming together, hope for the future, and photos that will tell a story beyond the words that you will hear. ...

Linda Robertson

This book is really inspiring. It is an attribute to human change. It is a life culturing. It is an outreach activity. It is voices of a village. It documents knowledge, inspiration, award, inspiration... it is a story telling to celebrate.

It took the David Hassler seven years to collect the data needed, including a series of photos and a long journey to take to have the actual book. The journey was more than five stages to get to self-satisfaction and more inspiration. He struggle hard to get a place in the Mexican community. Though this physical existence, he tried to get personal integration in the community by making different acquaintances. It is so hard to the community to accept a stranger to take photos. They are afraid of being arrested by the police as coming illegally to the land. He got to have permission to the farm to a witness of the community daily life. He consider 6:30 to 7 a.m. as the most hectic and lively time. They are getting ready to go to the farm, getting the kids ready for school. They excel to decorate their hats with flowers and ribbons. Their hands reveal their endeavour to achieve well in the farm. The author took tough decision to look for self-integration. He tried to learn their language, shop in the same area. There was too much pressure on him to leave their vicinity.

However, here came the opportunity for him when he was invited to a wedding party. It was a good step to move from personal access to the family household. This stage led him to get more involved in their in their life. He was asked to take picture during the ceremony. There were seven camps to explore to dig out the cultural components of the community.

After the wedding party, he was introduced in the medical facilities, school, church and their birthday parties. What is surprising enough is the great number of people attending each ceremony of birthday. Everybody has to wash up and gets dressed up. They have a great fun and women, men, and children have their gathering to concentrate on their own affairs.

Indeed, there was a lot of patience, endeavour, tolerance and sacrifice to bring this story the front pages. It is extremely rich and enriching of acculturation. Gary Harwood interviewed member of the community to give more life and enrichment to the photos depicted by Divid Hassler. I was able to write down some of their conversation during the conference:

Father to his daugther who was intending to get married: ' Are you sure you want to that? if not, just turn down and way away'

Lovely quote and meaningful cultural implications can be deduced?

Have your own car!

2008-02-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

Sure, one should have his personal vehicle to be on time and invest that time in more useful things.

Less people in the Ohio are walking in the streets. It is noticeable that only the international students do so. I would go along a street without seeing any human being walking. It must be me who is a special case, then.
I would say that a lot American suffer a lot for being so obese. They care carrying extra weight, eating all the time, driving all the time. There is less time for exercising.
Even the bus is most often empty. None is there. Sometimes, I would take the alone for more than six stops, None show up, except the bus driver and me.
Buses' schedules is different from what is written on the bus flayers. You have to wait either ten minutes after or before the bus would come.
Strange enough in Kent, no cabs, less buses, trolleys.
Let's walk should be the motto for everyone to be less overweight!!!

Speech Testing

2008-02-26T07:22:00.000-08:00

I have been in the speech testing in Nixon Hall on Thursday, 21st February, 2008. I was there on time. The room is a sort of small classes or laboratories. They are probably teaching languages, especially American. The focus is how to Americanize your communication English. It seems that they are driving everyone to be American in everything. Could it be, even we sneeze, whistle or walk in an American way?

White Hall, room 215.

There were nice, educated and beautiful female teachers in the lab. They warmly welcomed me to the room. I hung my coat and scarf and stepped to a room where I had to face the wall while sitting on a chair. The aim was to test my auditory skill s by raising my hands when I heard any sound from the headphone I was asked to put on. The test was great by the encouragement of the ladies. Then, they have to test my tongue and all part of articulation inside my mouth. It was really amazing and entertaining to utter some sounds after taking a deep breath. I had to hold on uttering the same sound as far as I can. It sounds that you are in a music chorus.

Later, I had to read a small text and different vowels and consonants. Throughout the test I was engaged in an educational discussion by reflecting on my previous teaching and learning strategies and about the courses i am taking in Kent State University as a vi ting scholar.

I discovered and explored some good aspects of my speech. I tried to act out and converse as if I were an expert actor. I learnt about the way I teach my students. I tried and tried to show I articulate well, understand, listen, rargue... with those who are my teachers assessing my performance and how much I have achieved in my educational journey. I took things from different aspect. I was one the learners who have to exhibit their skills and expertise in the field. I have learnt about my fossilization of pronunciation, especially when you just you want to finish what you are reading. I have recognize that I speak so quickly which makes it difficult for my interlocutor difficult to get my message. I have to practice more and interact with people, basically engaging or delivering a presentation. Sure , there is stress at the beginning, but you feel so strong and more lively to voice your ideas fluently.

Philadelphia

2008-02-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

Drexel experience on December, 25th 2008.

There was a lot of fun and entertainment. It was so quick, but we got to know each other pretty well. There were five countries: Morocco, Indonesia. Egypt, Bangladesh and Jordan. We had a nice community as we shared everything we had. We were all together all the time. One thing that we like best is the spirit and the motivation we had to foster our skills in different issues: American culture and education, public speaking skills, language courses. Once in Washington and Ohio, I felt that there is a big difference. Taking turns in conversation is a very important issue, namely I see some of my colleagues say whatever they like and jumping to say anything, indeed, there is too much verbal with less information.

Also, jumping the queue is another one, when you see people going on line regardless who is fist. You may notice the greediness of some of them. They would complain about anything comes across to their mind. The other opinion is of no value to them.

parade in Phil.

Learning Strategies

2008-02-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

Personal Learning strategies

Being a teacher for more than 14 years, I believe in professional development. This means that I am not only teaching, but acquiring as well new things. Learning is a long life process. I have never stopped learning and improving my teaching strategies and exploring and implementing some best practices that I would come across or learn from seminars, conferences and study days that I have been attending, either as participant or speaker. I want to improve my public speaking skills; hence, I should correct my personal pronunciation.

Certainly, I have a fossilized pronunciation that I have to address because I am a language teacher. I am not a native speaker of this target language. That will not discourage me form improving my voice production. Sometimes, I feel I am not conveying my message successfully, by making my interlocutor struggle hard to decode what is said or what is meant. I speak too quickly. I have to slow down when speaking. I surely use different techniques to promote my teaching performance. I should be giving role model to my students.

I consider the following techniques effective to better my utterance. I would watch the same movie for countless times to hear and watch how the actors speak. My favorite movies are: “Gulliver Travelers” written by Jonathon Swift; the second is “The Lost Secret” series which I used with my students. I unquestionably learnt by hearth some phrases and words from these movies. Radio is of equal importance when you have the journalist and program that you like best. My much loved one is Akron Radio station in Cleveland. Television is very essential as well, namely, morning shows as fluent speakers are selected for discussion.

I am trying to practice my pronunciation by listening to my beloved collection of songs, especially pop and country music. I also use audio dictionaries on my computer to check my pronunciation. There is a motto which stresses that we should check even the utterance of the familiar words.

Engaging in different conversations with native speakers is excellent. I will be learning ‘best from lectures, tutorials, tapes, group discussion, speaking, web chat and talking things through’. One of the best things is used with my students is using various scenarios to put them in a creative ways.

Case Wetern Reservre University Conference

2008-02-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

Food Workshop

In Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, I attended a conference about leadership Journey Series, spring 2008. I participated in 3 different workshops which appeal to my own interest. But the most important, unplanned workshop was about the etiquette of having a meal with a American business or the upper classes families.

My first workshop was about ‘The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People’. Actually it is centered on the best practices that the person inspiring to be a leader or improving the skills and knowledge of leadership. The second one is essentially ‘being an integrated part of the community’ but, I attended another one by mistake because the speaker taught that her workshop was for the Greek community. Then, I attended “living your Rituals’. I did not like it as it is on lecturing. There was no valuable interaction. My third workshop was ‘creating Competency Portfolio” it dealt with techniques of having portfolio for live is a long process and wait for no lazy people. We have to update our portfolio to best introduce ourselves to our institutions which take them as benchmarks tom select the appropriate person. It is a reflecting mirror to see what to improve. It is to give a model to other people or students to use.

Other benefits would be the ability to step in to improve our public speaking delivery. Most workshop have a limited numbers of participants who contribute successful the discussion and the fostering of knowledge. I like going to different presentations in different locations, though; they were non-stop conferences. There is a chance different participant in each presentation, but with similar opinion and sharing the interest.

The food workshop was of equally significant, by Lorrie Thompson Bossart, the Etiquette Consulting/ training expert. She did a great job to teach us a lot of the American table etiquette. What have I learnt then?
The gentleman on the right of each lady sitting in the same table has to assist her to sit down or stand up to harmony the chair she wants to sit on. It is his responsibility to lend a hand to every lady in the table if he is the only man there. He is supposed to be alert to offer help every moment a lady stands up. In case of conversation, you are required to speak to speak on your right after the salad or main course. There should be no use of mobile or text-ing use, there are people around, and they want to hire you for their own business! If you have an emergency call as a doctor, you have to go out to answer the coming call. You have to watch out your resting position as well.
The napkin must be put in a particular manner! That’s your role to for more information using custom location perhaps Google.

Tips:
- You knife should not be facing your neighbor.
- Waiters serve from left and clear up from your right
- Cut bread in small pieces, then add butter to eat
Activity:
Match the pictures with the suitable caption:

I am done, the waiter can clear the dishes
I am not done. The waiter cannot clear the dishes. I am resting.
I do not want to be served any other dish

The lab

2008-02-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

Today is Feb. 13, 2008.

We have been to a highly sofisticated and equipped computer. It is what we need to better implement and integrate technology in my classroom. The teacher is given the opportunity to explore and enhance the process of learning and teaching.

If I was given the chance to have this laboratory, I would motivate my students and encourage them to be autonomous learners. They would contribute a lot and save time to be used and invested on other projects and learning materials.

If teachers are highy motivated and has the skills, with this lab, they would create miracles

Immigration

2007-07-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

Immigration is a phenomenon which results from many causes. Immigration can make a lot of problems that appear in the conflicting relationship, especially between immigrants and local people.
Immigration is due to a lot of reasons. Many people are forced to leave their homes as refugees, usually because of political, religious, economic or social motives. Numerous students immigrate so as to continue their studies. Moreover, a great number of people immigrate to seek for a job or to improve their incomes and livelihoods.
There are many problems that immigrants can face. Migrants can find it difficult to keep their mother tongue. They may not find a common use of it. It is probably not easy for several settlers within new cultures, customs, and ways of behaving. Above all, natives may be racist towards the guests. The latter could be blamed for making use or the existing job’s opportunities and sharing the same social offered social services. These immigrants could be victims of various criminal and terrorist acts done by the host country, particularly in times of turmoil and during any political campaign.
Regardless of the causes that immigration may comprise, the hosts and guests should cooperate for organizing a better further scale in the human correlation among them. This is a suggestion to overcome the difficulty that can be engendered in misunderstanding the other’s practices, traditions, and evolution.

From Students

2007-07-01T12:03:00.001-07:00

Women

Women’s work has been a new phenomenon in the Arab countries. What are some advantages and disadvantages that can be relate to this observable fact?
There are various good sides of women’s work. To begin with, women can gain and have a personal source of money. They may have experience in life. They can be confident in themselves. They may be liberated from their husbands. They won’t be fully dependent on their spouses, in getting their needs.
There are loads of inconveniences, too. Women can’t look after their children and husbands because they haven’t sufficient time. They could not do the housework properly since they come back late from work. They may have problems at home with their husbands as they do not assume their responsibilities as they should be.
In my opinion, women’s work is very important because it facilitates their commercial life, despite its inadequacy

Noha

Nowadays, women’s situation has more importance as is used to be two decades ago. They have invaded all domain of work even those which was restrict to man only. As a result women have become more added more competitors to men. It is usual to see a famous woman on TV as far as their jobs and achievements are concerned. That’s why women are considered as an additional value of economy. If they are given all their rights and the independence they merit. In other words, it is imperative to remind ourselves that the role of each housewife is at home to realize true success.

Adil