Free EdX Online Course

If you are interested in practicing your academic writing in English and learning how to navigate free courses online, you should check out the course in the link below:

https://www.edx.org/course/uc-berkeleyx/uc-berkeleyx-colwri2-3x-principles-1535

It is a five-week university-level course created for learners of English to improve and refine academic writing skills.  The course requires you to spend around 4-5 hours a week doing readings and course quizzes/assignments but as long as you submit your assignments at the end of each week it is up to you when you choose to do your work and connect to the internet.  Students who receive a grade of 50% or higher and who submit the necessary homework assignments will receive a certificate of completion from the University of California Berkeley.  Most of the course assignments will be quizzes and discussion posts, with a final paper (around 5-7 paragraphs) at the end.

As teachers of English, you all have the necessary language skills to complete the course.  The electronic program for the course is easy-to-use and you may find that the course provides you with valuable resources.  Alassane Dia, a colleague at UGB, recently completed an earlier section of this course.

Additionally, if you find that you really like the course, there are many other free courses offered through EdX on many different topics that you could take in the future!

Note that the course begins on APRIL 1st.  If you are interested, please register soon.  Let Erin know if you are signing up for the class and feel free to contact her with any questions at erinjstpeter@gmail.com

ELD in Review

This year's ELD was reported to be a very successful event.  Over 200 teachers attended the day in Dakar focused on test-taking skills and the national exams.  Our very own Amine Sall from ATES Saint-Louis was one of the presenters.  Please check out his wonderful presentation and related documents on teaching writing for exams.  Clicking on the links will bring you to the files.

Amine's Presentation
Writing Lesson Plan 1
Writing Lesson Plan 2

Confirm your Participation for the ELD!

Please let us know if you plan to attend the ELD (English Language Day).  The more participation, the better!  Unlike last year, this day will be solely focused on teachers and professional development.  Many area teachers have remarked that they would like more information on testing and preparing students for the national exams so here's your chance to learn more about these topics!  See this flyer for the contact info to confirm and contribute for transport to and from Dakar.

Note: all board members, regardless of whether or not you plan to attend the seminar, are asked to contribute 5000 CFA to help cover the cost of transport.  We recognize that this might be a difficulty for some members but in order to guarantee that we will have the funds to cover the transport we need to come together and support our colleagues.

Join us for a Seminar in Mpal this Saturday!

Please join ATES Saint Louis and area teachers of English for a professional development seminar this Saturday, March 8th at 9:30am at the high school in Mpal (the newer one and not the one that is combined with the middle school).  For details and a list of the day's presentations, see this attached flyer.  The general topic for the seminar is Teaching and Testing with Limited Resources.  Lunch and coffee break will be provided and a bus will be traveling from Garage Bango to pick up teachers in SL and areas en route to Mpal.  Your presence would be greatly appreciated.