Helen's reflections

My response below is made up of reflections on running a Comenius course in general and reflections on this particular one.

General reflections

I love the Comenius course! First of all, it’s very exciting receiving applications throughout the year from all over Europe –Estonia, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece … - daily evidence of the new Europe in action. Then, I enjoy beginning to get to know the potential participants through my correspondence with them. I learn perhaps that someone is bringing a husband or that someone has been here before and knows the area already or that someone else has heard about the course from a friend who enjoyed it. These exchanges of greetings should maybe not take priority in my workload but they always do! Meeting people on the first day is therefore like meeting up with pen-pals, though it never fails to amaze me how wrong I have usually been in visualizing what people are going to look like! (I wonder what image people build up of me?!)

Putting together the course programme is not an easy job, as it involves liaising with a large number of people, booking trips, writing contracts, finding host families and, sometimes last on the list, preparing my own teaching! I have a constant awareness that this is a once-in-three-years experience for people and I do take that very seriously.

Anyway, it’s great when it all begins to come together and I can start to feel confident that we have something to offer, though I’m never quite sure whether the balance is going to be right for particular groups. Some want a lot of methodology; some want more culture. I think we’re maybe beginning to get the mix about right, though I wish I felt we had more to offer that was really new.

What is really new?? Well, maybe this is! Thanks largely to Tanya, we have our own exploratory third space and who knows what might come of it!

Particular reflections

The planning went fairly smoothly this time and I am learning to live with the ambiguity of guest speakers not getting back to me to confirm arrangements until the last minute! (I’m sorry we didn’t manage one of the MPs for your group. We did have Tim Farron MP on the second course and he was very popular. However, they didn’t have a school visit and I think that’s more important.) The ambiguity I can’t learn to live with is to do with whether the college – now university – services will be up to scratch: will the campus rooms be cleaned, will the coffee be on time, will the food be nice … Things are improving on this front but it’s still not perfect and I get quite cross when things go wrong!

This year I had Hai Ling working with me for the first time, which was nice and indeed a cultural learning experience for both of us. I also love working with Krista and have the fullest confidence in her ability to do a really good job on courses. Sadly, she wasn’t too well during this first course and you didn’t really get to know her so well.

As for you, well, you were great. You were all so positive and forthcoming and I felt you were really orientated towards working together and making the most of the experience. I also have to say that I have never had such wonderful presents at the end of a course! I loved hearing about your countries and the work you do in your classrooms. We saw some great examples of technology in action and indeed I think this blog will give us ideas for our teaching. I enjoyed having new nationalities in the group – first time for Russian speakers, first Bulgarian and first Dane! First time also for accompanying family members and I liked that. I particularly enjoyed our day in the Lake District and was pleased to read in the feedback forms that most of you did, too. The moment that touched me most, and made me cry, was when Carmen said at the end that she had known from the beginning that it would be a good course.

I do hope you enjoyed it. I certainly did. I look forward to reading more postings!

Dallam School

Here I am, properly dressed to watch the students preparing their smoothies in Dallam School.

The Title of Our Blog

You might be interested to check out the meaning of 'third place'. I have copied one less academic interpretation.

http://www.hawaii.edu/cslr/thirdspace.pdf

Election Day in Greece Today
Rania, hope the outcome is good for you!

The Lakes

From Tanya
The Lake District and its proximity to Lancaster was one reason for me to choose the St Martin's course. I just loved this place in July'04 when they took us on a trip from a BC summer school in Leeds. It is romantic in a detached way(does this make sense I wonder) and it it endlessly fascinating for people like me who are neither great mountain walkers, not remarkable swimmers. And it is not overrated either(unlike some other places I have been to in the UK). back in '94 a friend said that the Lakes were the second best beauty in the Uk, Darmoor the undisputable paradise(in her own rating). I had the chance to be in Dartmoor - certainly beautiful but in a less haunting way. So my really really soulfeeding trip was the one to the Lakes. Hope to revisit soon!

The pic is me on Gummers How and I loved Tarn Hows. This is as much as I remembered, names of places over there are hard to read, let alone pronounce or remember.

The Students’ residence halls

From Tanya

When I first saw Waddel Hall, I loved the lawns but hated my room – claustrophobic, dark, lonely. I had been in a similar place in Strathclyde University, the facilitites were a bit more modern but same economical space. And why just one shower for 7 people in a country which could certainly afford more ‘luxury’ for its students? Or maybe what I find a bit austere, stingy if you like, is just being reasonable with regard to rising water bills and concerns about the environment? Thrift is perhaps a value that is being nurtured from an early age? Same with separate taps…My country could learn a lot about our wastefulness/..(which we proudly call ‘generosity’). The environment ‘strikes back’ here – floods, conflagrations, tsunami…

…

Confidence/Orientation

From Tanya

I felt hopeless(as always!) at finding my way – on campus, in town. Maybe it is personal, but also cultural. I have an English friend who loves reading maps – for him maps are like books, but not for me. My socialization did not involve map reading as there was little travel, mostly organized, hence I never learned that skill. Irena could have felt similarly – am wondering if hers was also cultural…Seems very much so…

Small talk/Silences

From Tanya

I recall the clumsy moments in the kitchen when we had to keep ‘small talk’ going (but we did nonetheless persevere). Some were more ‘comfy’ than others – at home, we do not do that in the morning, a smile would do for me, no talk, need to have my coffee first before I handle the ‘niceties’ of talking about unimportant things. ‘Small talk’ is artificial stuff, a lot of people in my society say; and I do feel ok with silences, ‘pregnant pauses’ are less of an issue. I feel ok with them(but have learned some ‘tricks’ of ‘keeping the conversation going’; do not always feel ‘at home’ with that though). I recall the clumsy moments in the kitchen when we had to keep ‘small talk’ going (but we did nonetheless persevere). Some were more ‘comfy’ than others – at home, we do not do that in the morning, a smile would do for me, no talk, need to have my coffee first before I handle the ‘niceties’ of talking about unimportant things. ‘Small talk’ is artificial stuff, a lot of people in my society say; and I do feel ok with silences, ‘pregnant pauses’ are less of an issue. I feel ok with them(but have learned some ‘tricks’ of ‘keeping the conversation going’; do not always feel ‘at home’ with that though).

AND NOW, WHAT?

From Carmen

And now, I think we should seriously try to keep in touch !
We can’t apply for a new Comenius grant in 3 years. OK, then we have to do something !
The idea of having a blog sounds great . It’s quite informal and quick and considering that from now on we are all going to be really busy with our classes ….we should be realistic.

OUR COURSE, ACTIVITIES AND PLACES

From Carmen

I have always been aware of the importance of knowing not only the language, but the culture and the lifestyle of the English speaking countries.
And, of course, you can’t convey this is you haven’t lived there yourself.

During these days in Lancaster we had the chance to live this real life: our almost daily shopping in Marks and Spencer…our visits to the Waterstone’s book shoop…the Harry Potter premiere…. the picnics…the Pinocchio play …buying plums in a street market.. asking how to go to ….and it goes without saying, the pubs!

Everything was as I imagined, but this time it was real. With the good and the bad things that every place has.

One of the experiences I want to highlight is our school visit. I’ve delt with lots of textbooks where you find the typical photographs of the typical British students wearing their smart uniforms, the ties, the jackets… but this time it was real! So real that I could even see the holes in their stockings!!!
Perhaps I can sound naïve, but I have to admit that I was really excited, and for me, it was one of the most gratifying activities we had. And , for example, when my Spanish students ask me this year what Food Technology is, I will explain it to them in depth.
I will never forget the smoothies of the Year 7 Students in Dallam School!

Lancaster, our third space.

From Carmen

Lancaster, our third space.
No doubt for me!

Believe or not, this has been my first immersion in the British way of life.
Some years ago I attended a course for English teachers in London. The experience was good, but comparing to our course in Lancaster… nothing to do! We had some lessons in the morning, and when they ended, we became one more tourist. wandering around the streets, shops and museums in London which, by the way, was crowded with Spanish people.
Believe or not, this has been my first immersion in the British way of life.
Some years ago I attended a course for English teachers in London. The experience was good, but comparing to our course in Lancaster… nothing to do! We had some lessons in the morning, and when they ended, we became one more tourist. wandering around the streets, shops and museums in London which, by the way, was crowded with Spanish people.

Schools

From Sergei

My feelings were twofold. On one hand, I was amazed how well-wequiped the British schools are. I just wish I had 1/10 of their equipment not in my class but in the whole school!

One the other hand, I didn’t see much creativity, imagination and enthusiasm during the lesson I had attended. The teacher relied much on hand outs and the BBC video and I suppose the questions she asked were taken from the teacher’s manual.


From Tanya

I certainly wouldn’t like to be an immigrant in the UK, and would certainly demand more rigorous curriculum at school. Why such limited knowledge, why so minimal homework? Can’t imagine it is same at Eton??? I think I understood James’s infatuation with his memory-boosting/ parrot-repetition exercise only after I realized how little is expected from students at school….My Bulgarian friends’ daughter(her third year in England, her GCSE’s next year) has literally forgotten her maths skills, knows nothing about world history, has been to Paris on a school trip but her knowledge of geography is pathetic, has learned how to cook muffins but her written English is worse than that of most of my students…Well, hers is not a grammar school, is in Kidderminster, that explains a lot but still…She was an excellent student in Bulgaria.
There is something about the English schools I cannot put my finger on but that bothers me as profoundly unfair to people – is there a political agenda behind all this minimalism or it is just me being ethnocentric again, applying my own ways of what is right, fair, etc.

The Students’ residence halls

From Sergei

Really nice experience. I stayed with a family in 1998 and was a bit disappointed with their microwave oven cuisine. I was quite happy with my stay at the residence hall. I had more space then I needed – there were only two of us. My neighbour – Jeppe is the person I could easily talk to to. So, I had an excellent stay.
Really nice experience. I stayed with a family in 1998 and was a bit disappointed with their microwave oven cuisine. I was quite happy with my stay at the residence hall. I had more space then I needed – there were only two of us. My neighbour – Jeppe is the person I could easily talk to to. So, I had an excellent stay.

Politeness/Signs

From Sergei

This was the first time I paid attention to the signs. I was just amazed how many there are! When I compare it with my country I’m amazed how much people in Britain think about safety. First, it costs a fortune if somebody sues you for the negligence, but I think, there is a big sense of respect to the other, whether they are your customers or not.

The People(in the North of England)

From Sergei

One day I dropped my wallet in the pub. I said good-bye to my identity card and blocked my bank cards. I was taken aback when Helen told me that the people from the pub had contacted the college and I can collect my wallet any time from the pub.

From Carmen

I have never had any prejudices about the English (British?) I like the way they smile to you and being polite, but I have never experienced deep immersion into the British way of life. I also must say that my contacts were limited to the areas where business is involved (restaurants, shops, etc.) so I’m unable to say if all the British are as nice as the people I met in Lancaster.
Lessons, lunches, trips….bathroom . We’ve shared everything!
Impressions, feelings, personal and professional experiences.
We’ve been an amazingly collaborative group: cheerful and kind. A group of people you felt comfortable with from the very first moment, without being afraid of asking anybody: what did he say? Or can I go with you to…?

By the way, our encounter in Lancaster marks a new milestone in my life : From now on, I have the resolute purpose of studying the European Geography and History and learn more about all our wonderful countries.

And who said British people are cold and have a stiff upper-lip? Down with stereotypes!!!
And what to say about our teachers: Hillary, James, Paul Egglestone, Keith , …all of them kind and warm . Of course a special mention for our amazing Helen who was the soul of our course.

From Tanya

Friendly people, easy interactions on a public level, people are indeed helpful, patient, smiling. What a contrast to my culture where a smile seems to cost billions…

Which/whose English to teach?

From Sergei

My students often ask me what kind of English I teach – British or American and I’m always at a loss. I often ask myself what accent I have and is it really important to put a stress on ‘decent’ pronunciation? I often ask myself if I have to teach all aspects of English grammar, especially after I watch CNN and the only grammar structure I hear are Present / Past Simple and Present Perfect.

This was my forth visit to the UK. Last time was in 2004. Actually, that was the time when I started thinking about what kind of English I teach and what is more important accuracy and sophistication of language or just fluency, sufficient vocabulary and good receptive skills? In 2004 I lived in the immigrant neighborhood. There were people from Iran, Pakistan, Poland, Lithuania and the only language they could speak was English. That also was the first time I got acquainted with northern accent when somebody asked me “Are you RUssian?” You understand what I mean J

I think this visit helped me to decide on the way I teach. I have never paid much attention to pronunciation unless the students pronounce the words more or less correct and I have never tried to reach a perfect British pronunciation. Hope, I never will. On this course I noticed how lenient you all were with the awful mistakes I made so I’m starting to think that grammatical accuracy is not important to be understood, unless you are preparing for the English exam J

I was always furious with the ELT authors who put such things as: GCSE, boarding school, ASBO, etc. on the tests and texts. English has become international and students in the other countries do not have to be aware of your local things. J Sorry, Helen. So, in my teaching I will continue to emphasize that English is an international language and the learners should speak simple, fluent and understandable English.


From Tanya

For me it was great to listen to 25 non-native speakers talking English in their unique way. A harmonious polyphony…This is what some experts call ‘lingua franca’ in action, for a meaningful purpose. Whether we choose this or that variety of English to speak or teach is really a matter of personal choice and preference as long as we understand each other in a good way. The modern speaker of English is indeed, or at least should be the intercultural speaker in his/her own right – like me, like Luis, like Rania or Kristie, like Helen and Hai Ling – culturally diverse and unique. We use the same language but in our culturally unique ways. I wish the course had provided space for a discussion about how we see the future of ELT in this changing reality of interactions via English which are more likely to happen between non-native speakers of English(like our Lancaster experience). What are the methodological and cultural implications for us as teachers of English?

The beginning

We have created this blog to share past experiences of a summer course at St Martin's College, Lancaster, July' 07. This could be a kind of re-living that time together and making better sense of it for the benefit of our(and why not others') present and future professional and personal intercultural experiences.).

We all(25 teachers from many countries) spent two weeks together and have created(note the Present Perfect!) what Claire Kramsche calls our ‘third space’, which we still inhabit – this is not only the geographical location in time but is the ongoing interaction we have virtually, vicariously, amongst us and also with people and places(Chester, Haworth, The Lakes, etc), and movies,(Harry Potter) and. You get the idea we hope.