Hello colleagues,

Much pleased I am finding myself again while navigating in this useful amd most cheerful website. Well! My name is Rachid ACIM. I am a teacher of English language teaching teens, whose age waver between 15 & 16. I am based in Beni Mellal, a beautiful city which is going to host MATE's (Moroccan Association of Teachers of English) national conference this year about "Effective Classroom Practices in Language Education". I am also a postgraduate student following Master Studies in the Master of Translation, Languages and Informatics, currently, working my thesis about "The Translation of the Political Discourse". what is more is that I am so much enamoured of poetry and I have published my first collection of poems entitled "Tunes on My Guitar", tunes of which have a face in reality and behind which there is a real long story.

Frankly, this year marks a serious metamorphosis in my life since I joined this club of international experts and researchers whose sole aim is the promotion of education in all the parts of the world. This is not actually a privilege, but rather a duty and a heavy responsibility, for a herd of challenges are waiting us carr out our careers in the best circumstances. As a moderator, I am so much zealous and very disposed,  I should say, to  contribute by the possible means I uphold in order to make of this memorable event a real sucess. Thus, I think that we've got to usher in work and to start discussing whatever presentation as I do believe that what makes a topic interesting is not the topic itself, but what can you say about the topic and the huge questions that arouse in the minds of the potential public. Everyone should bear in mind that we are meeting here neither to trade nor to sell or to purchase merchandise but to exchange ideas and our reflections about some problematic issues in teaching and in the learning processes. Such good initiatives is what we need now in our countries because they allow you to think seriously of how to dispose of classroom problems and thereby to think of effective techniques by dint of which you can enhance learning.

I am therefore so proud of making the acquaintance of (wo)men whose heads glow silver due to age, to cultivation and, most importantly, due to theior dedication to scientific researching in many fieldworks. To them and to the Crdiffian Teamwork, I say "Big HI", meanwhile wishing for them and for you a strong health and a life full of joy and many good achievements.

N.B: sorry, self-introduction, I think, should come here.

Rachid

Welcome Christien! Nice to see you here! :)

Well, this is an intriguing question indeed. I wonder if there is ever an *enough* and if so, what deternimes it...mmmmm Got to think about it mmmmm

Looking forward to everyone's takes on this.

Cheers - Chris

Hi Christien & Everyone!

Welcome to the 2009 IATEFL Online Conference!

I have joined this interesting e-platform on 11th March, I think, and by then it happened my introductory post.

Well, dear Christien, I have thought to address you because you must be a very active professional. Moreover, most of my teaching career (as an EFL teacher) has been at the secondary level, as you currently are.

As for your Question "When do students know enough about the language?", it seems to me it is not that easy to provide a categorical answer. In my view, it is a very subjective context. For example, some learners who leave the secondary school think they have acquired all the appropriate, necessary language structures, vocabulary and skills to face the world of English beyond the school environment. But the point is once they apply for a job, e.g., on having to be present at an Interview, they might be confronted with some language problems (from lack of vocabulary to accurate and fluent speaking skills).

While travelling, both for a personal purpose and for business, there might be expected some difficulties as well. In a nutshell, what I mean is this: just before any authentic situational context are most learners more likely to draw this conclusion: "Despite having acquired what we thought it was enough, we still have much to learn!" So, practice (we include the 4 basic skills) can lead to more accuracy and fluency. But we think any language requires sustainability on a daily basis. Is it "enough", dear Christien?

Looking forward to learning from you and our expert Colleagues at the Conference.

Best regards,

Maria

Hello Hicham

Nice to have you joining us and I hope you enjoy the conference.

Cheers - Chris

Hello Mr Hicham,

It is indeed a great pleasure seeing you and talking to you here. We will be very much happy to share with you our thoughts and ideas about the areas of your interest.

Please don't hesitate to take part in the discussions held here because I feel that you have many precious views to set forth.

Warm regards,

Rachid

Welcome Amjad

We all have incomplete knowledges and understandings and that's why it is wonderful to have a space like this where we can share our ideas and learn with each other. Welcome once again to the Literary bunch group :))

Cheers - Chris