TESOL-Kuwait hosts open day meeting
At Arab Open University
KUWAIT: TESOL-Kuwait hosted an open day meeting yesterday for its members and affiliated specialized teaching groups, known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs), at Arab Open University (AOU) in Ardiya area.
The meeting, themed “Why Learn English?”, aimed at inspiring and motivating English educators in Kuwaiti public and private schools and universities, particularly teachers specialized in English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). It also focused on the aims and objectives of teaching English to nonnative speakers around the world, and the importance of learning English in modern-day life. TESOL-Kuwait’s SIGs enable members to enhance their skills in English teaching and learning, and provide opportunities for all to contribute to teaching and learning, Dr Ilene Winokur Al-Zaid, President of TESOL-Kuwait, said in her opening presentation. They also offer members an educational forum to network and communicate by sharing insights, discussing trends and issues, hosting workshops, and building connections with other professionals within specialized fields, added Zaid.
“We want to make sure that you feel as teachers of English language in Kuwait that you have a lot more professional developments throughout the year that you can take advantage of. And, as a result, TESOL-Kuwait really want to model that,” she said. Zaid also indicated that TESOL-Kuwait plans to register with the Ministry of Social Affairs as an NGO, adding that obtaining such a recognition would empower TESOL’s members to contribute significantly and effectively in the enhancement of teaching and learning English in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the event featured live performances by SIGs’ members, among which, notably, the Read English Actively for Language and Life Skills (REALL) SIG, which displayed a unique way of teaching English literature through performing arts such as drawing, singing, and acting.
“REALL has developed an innovative way to celebrate classic and modern English novels and literature through the arts, bringing the stories to life,” Alison Koushki, REALL’s Chair, said. “Students would enhance all four language skills; listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while mining the riches of literature, then portraying them as art and performance,” Koushki, who is also a senior instructor of Intensive English Program at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), added.
“My students use sound, lights, and costumes when singing and acting their characters on stage. They also form teams, whether on stage or backstage, in addition to scriptwriting, reporting, and make-up, and work together to enliven the narrative and cultivate their language and life skills simultaneously, said Koushki. TESOL-Kuwait is a professional organization for anyone involved in teaching non-native speakers of English. It is an affiliate of the international association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The organization’s mission is to advance professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other languages worldwide. It is also devoted to the professional development of its members, most of whom are based in Kuwait and the Gulf region. — KUNA