NileTESOL/AUC Conference XVI “Language Education in the 21st

Challenges & Opportunities Century:

January 31, 2012

School of Continuing Education English Studies Division

The American University in Cairo

The 16th

Annual

NileTESOL / AUC Conference Conference Program

January 31, 2012

NileTESOL Board of Directors (2011-2012) Abdel Fadeel Faid Mai Magdy Ahmed Gabr Nadia Touba Deena Boraie (President Elect) Neil Winston Helena Simas Ola Hafez Jonah Moos Rania Jabr (Conference Chair) Kathleen Saville (President) Robert Lindsey Magda Hayek NileTESOL Organizing Committee (2011-2012) Carol Clark Mary Hughes Elizabeth Arrigoni Nermine Saleh Jonah Moos (Web Designer) Phyllis Wachob Mariam Osman (Incoming Chair) Rania Jabr (Chair)

Visit the NileTESOL website: www.niletesol.org

Visit the conference website http://conf.aucegypt.edu/NileTESOL2012

Jane Hoelker Challenges in Innovation and Opportunities in Resistance Mansour Hall and Al-Alfi Hall 9.00-9.45 Jane Hoelker served on the Board of Directors of TESOL International Association (2008-2011) and is a past President of TESOL Arabia. She teaches English at Qatar University. She has also taught in the U.S., the Emirates, Japan, Korea, Mali, and Rwanda. She has been a Plenary or Featured Speaker in Oman, Thailand, Pakistan, and Australia. She has led teacher training workshops at the Language Institute of Japan. In addition, she has published in various international journals and magazines and has presented at numerous international conferences, including the TESOL International Association Convention. Alan Pulverness Classroom Research and the Whole Teacher Mansour Hall and Al-Alfi Hall 2.00-2.45 Alan Pulverness is Assistant Academic Director at NILE, the Norwich Institute for Language Education. He has worked extensively with the British Council in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland on cultural studies, teaching materials, and syllabus projects and in Russia on reader development. He is the author / co-author of a number of books, most recently, Reading Matters (Helbling 2007) and The TKT Course (CUP 2005; 2011). From 2000 to 2004, he was Editor of IATEFL Conference Selections, and from 2001 to 2005, he was Co-chair of the British Council’s Oxford Conference on the Teaching of Literature. Dudley Reynolds What I Didn’t Know in Tanta: How Research Changes a Teacher Al –Alfi Hall 11.00-11.45 Dudley Reynolds is a Teaching Professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar, and also a member of the TESOL International Association Board of Directors. His research focuses on second language writing, teaching, development, and assessment. He is the author of One on One with Second Language Writers: A Guide for Writing Tutors, Teachers, and Consultants (University of Michigan Press, 2009) and Assessing Writing, Assessing Learning (University of Michigan Press, 2010).

TESOL/Applied Linguistics Post-Graduate Study in Egypt Robert Williams Chair, MATEFL program – ELI/AUC 12.00 - 12.45 pm Room PO 22 This session will provide an opportunity for ELT professionals and professionals-in-training to gather information about various pre-MATEFL and MATEFL programs in Egypt. Panelists will be from the MATEFL program at AUC as well as from various pre-MA Applied Linguistics or TESOL programs at Egyptian national universities.

Assessment for Learning: Is It Realistic for the EFL Classroom? Panel Discussion 5:00 – 6:45 pm Al-Alfi Hall Assessment for learning refers to the use of classroom-based assessments to enhance and improve teaching and student learning, rather than to simply measure or monitor learning (assessment of learning). Despite the fact that many researchers and educators are increasingly realizing the benefits of assessment for learning in the classroom, in many classrooms and schools, the focus is still on assessment of learning. Teachers often feel there is too much material to cover in a course, or too much assessment already, to use precious resources like class time on assessment for learning. And even if teachers are convinced of the potential of assessment for learning to improve student learning, they do not necessarily know how to implement the necessary techniques and strategies. Moderator: Elizabeth Arrigoni Discussant: Deena Boraie Panelists: Alan Pulverness, Atta Gebril, Dudley Reynolds, Jane Hoelker, Nihal Mourad

Participating Countries Afghanistan Egypt Japan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Uzbekistan

Special thanks go to Dr. Ola Hafez for her invaluable work for the conference

Place Mansour H. Al-Alfi Hall Shafik Gabr Mary Cross PO 19 PO 22 PO O7 PO 21

8:30 - 9:00 Welcome and Opening Ceremony

9:00 - 9:45 Plenary Jane Hoelker Challenges in Innovation and Opportunities in Resistance (Mansour & Al-Alfi Halls)

10:00 - 10:45

Macmillan Barbara Trimpi &

Carol Ashen Blended Learning –

The Best of Both Worlds

Oxford University Press

Ismail Khalafallah Beyond the Classroom

Rehab M Ragab Building a Personal Learning Network (PLN) - Key Skill for 21st Century

Educators

Oana El Naggar Pre-reading

Semantic Mapping Increases Arab

College Students’ Reading

Comprehension

Jonah Moos Information is

Beautiful! Graphic Organizers in the ESL Classroom

Carol Clark Motivating Students to Read in the 21st

Century

Anthony G Leone Unwinding the

Legal English Myth

11:00 - 11:45

Dudley Reynolds

What I Didn’t Know in Tanta: How Research Changes a Teacher (Al-Alfi Hall)

Ragia Youssef Portfolios vs. Traditional

Assessment… Requirements,

Opportunities, and Challenges

Amal A Abou-Setta Plagiarism: Is there

a Solution? – A Case Study

12:00 - 12:45

Macmillan Sahar Azzam

On-Line Solutions for Teachers and

Students

ILB Thomas Kelley Exploring the

Latest Developments of

National Geographic

Learning

Kamila M Helmy & Mariam T El Wakeel

How Can Collaborative Pre-writing Activities Enhance Students'

Writing?

Afaf Z Mishriki & Amani S Demian

Error Correction of Student Writing

Robert Williams TESOL/Applied Linguistics Post-

Graduate Study in Egypt

B.Douglas Meyer Language

Proficiency Exams: Comparing the

IELTS, BULATS, and STEP Exams

Laila Y Kamal & Mona M El Saady

Actual Composition of an Essay

1:00 - 1:45

Cambridge University Press Peter Lucantoni

The New Cambridge University Press

Course ‘Four Corners’

Adam Leskis & Lucas Kohnke Intersecting

Expectations: Conflict as

Opportunity

Lamia J Al Sinani & Jabria S Al Mukhaini

Challenges and Opportunities of Co-training during In-

service Teacher Education Programs

Ihab M Freiz Teaching the Skills: Digital Versus Print

Literacy

George Botelho Negotiating

Meaning in Texts: Group Work in Mixed-Ability

Classes

Deena M Badawi Rethinking English Language Teaching: Focusing on Learner

Output

2:00 - 2:45 Plenary Alan Pulverness Classroom Research and the Whole Teacher (Mansour & Al-Alfi Halls)

3:00 - 3:45

Maha Hamed (RELO)

Great Opportunities for Teacher Professional Development

Sphinx / Longman Sylvie Weens Games in the

Language Classroom

Caitlin Cornell & Sahar Hamzeh Using Wikis:

Teacher Challenges and Student

Opportunities

Ola Hafez Developing EFL Students’ Critical Thinking through Reading Stories

Maria C Arruda & Meegan Rivera

Extending Reading with Writing

Simon Etherton & Salima K Al-Sinani Cascading Training:

From Trickle to Torrent

Mariah J Fairley & Yara Fathy

TOEFL Preparation Course Design

through Student-Teacher

Collaboration

4:00 - 4:45

Oxford University Press

Ismail Khalafallah Critical Thinking

with Q Skills

Sphinx / Longman Sylvie Weens Games in the

Language Classroom

Heba Fathelbab The Internet:

Bringing Language Teaching into the

21st Century

Khiari Obaid Al-Zubaidi

Academic Writing Skills for

International Postgraduate

Students

Maria C Arruda & Meegan Rivera

Extending Reading with Writing

Yusuf A Torofdar Autonomous

Learning: Role of L1 Culture in a

Saudi Classroom

Sherine M Ostos Heading into Self-Learning through

Acquiring Dictionary Skills

5:00 - 6:45 Testing Colloquium Assessment for Learning: Is It Realistic for the EFL Classroom? (Al-Alfi Hall)

Place C 123 C 125 C 126 C 201 C 202 C 203 C 117 C 118

8:30 - 9:00 Welcome and Opening Ceremony

9:00 - 9:45 Plenary Jane Hoelker Challenges in Innovation and Opportunities in Resistance (Mansour & Al-Alfi Halls)

10:00 - 10:45 Inas Kotby

Making Academic Writing a Pleasant

Challenge

Hardie Cooper Jr. & Manal Bassyony

Teaching in Style: Interaction Patterns

in the EFL Classroom

Phyllis Wachob Uncovering the

Secrets of Modern Publishing in

TESOL

Alexander M Lewko Teaching Business

Communication Inside the Ring

Mariah J Fairley Using Songs to Teach Grammar

Laila A Makhlouf Writing Daily

Journals: 5 Minutes That Go A Long

Way

Suhair E Al Alami The Power of

Literature within EFL Contexts

Ragia M Youssef The Six Thinking

Hats from the Meeting Room to

the EFL Classroom

11:00 - 11:45

Nuray Grove & Nohayer Lotfy

Community-Based Learning and

Teaching English: Challenges & Opportunities

Ahmed AbdelFattah Listening - No

Problem!

Khaled Dabbour Active Learning

Practices in Large College Classes

Safaa M Abdel-Halim

A Suggested Model of Conversation

Development through Movies

Amira Erfan Utilizing

Facebook for a More Effective Writing Process

12:00 - 12:45

Enas A Hammad Teachers’ Use of

Questioning in EFL Reading Classes:

Strategies and Reasons

Matthew F Kershaw Teacher and Student

Interviews to Introduce Language Learning Strategies

Sarah F Shehatta Humor and Comedy in EFL Classrooms

Mamura H Alimova Using Projects in

Teaching EAP Courses

Hala Al Toni Integrating Culture

into Curricilum (English Access

Miscro Scholarship Program)

Ahmed A Mohammed

The Network Complexity of the ELT Profession

Caitlin Cornell & Myrna Youssef

Creating Opportunities: Using

Popular Student Technology

Amira Salama & Yasmine Abdullah Considerations in Developing and/or Adopting Scoring

Rubrics

1:00 - 1:45

Maha A Hassan Using Teaching Portfolios as a

Method to Develop Teaching

Performance

Susanne Rizzo Developing

Dynamic Classroom Interaction through

Reading Circles

Heba A Atey Singing Along and

Karaoke for a Better Accent

Yasmine A Abbas & Mai M Abdel-

Hakeem Teaching and

Assessing Pronunciation in Integrated Skills, Communicative

Classrooms

Sanaa A Makhlouf Plagiarism: A Game of Wits or a Way of

Learning?

Ahmed Karam Video Games in

Class?

Ahlam M Abu Khoti ‘He can’t say it in

English’: Understanding

Code-switching in Classrooms

Waleed A Nureldeen

The Relationship between Reading Performance and Attitudes in L2

(English) and L1 (Arabic)

2:00 - 2:45 Plenary Alan Pulverness Classroom Research and the Whole Teacher (Mansour & Al-Alfi Halls)

3:00 - 3:45

Renata Bobakova The Contemporary EFL/ESL Teacher’s

Mini-guide to Survival and Success

Amira Salama A Revolutionary

Approach to Project-Based Instruction: Tahrir Square as

ELT Material

Andrew Nowlan Enhance your

Speaking Power: For Teachers and

Students

Marwa A Atieya & Rania R Khalil

Tips and Strategies for Teaching a

Communicative Mixed-language

Abilities Classroom

Mai Magdy Abdel-Hakeem

Questioning is a Tool for

Encouraging Critical Thinking

Mayy H ElHayawi Collaborate to Learn and Play to Practice: Tips and Tricks for

Using Games in ESL Classes

Yomna Y Mohamed Activities for Facing

the Challenges of Teaching Advanced

Levels

Mohammed Errihani

Promoting Learner

Autonomy through Receptive Skills Activities

4:00 - 4:45 Sarah F Shehatta

Using Jokes in EFL Classrooms

ILB Mai Mohamed Rizk Using Non-fiction

Material in Classes – An Overlooked

Gem!

Andrew Nowlan Enhance Your

Speaking Power: For Teachers and

Students

Marwa A Atieya & Rania R Khalil

Tips and Strategies for Teaching a

Communicative Mixed-language

Abilities Classroom

Mai Magdy Abdel-Hakeem

Questioning is a Tool for

Encouraging Critical Thinking

Mayy H ElHayawi Collaborate to Learn and Play to Practice: Tips and Tricks for

Using Games in ESL Classes

Yomna Y Mohamed Activities for Facing

the Challenges of Teaching Advanced

Levels

Mohammed Errihani

Promoting Learner

Autonomy through Receptive Skills Activities

5:00 - 6:45 Testing Colloquium Assessment for Learning: Is It Realistic for the EFL Classroom? (Al-Alfi Hall)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

8:30 – 9:00 Mansour Hall & Al-Alfi Hall Welcome and Opening Ceremony

Charles Norman Bruce Ferguson Kathleen Saville Rania Jabr Nadia Touba Ola Hafez

Dean of School of Continuing Education, AUC Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, AUC President of NileTESOL, AUC Conference Chair, AUC Director of English Studies Division, SCE, AUC Assistant Division Director, SCE, AUC

1 9:00 45 minutes Plenary Mansour Hall &

Al-Alfi Hall

Challenges in Innovation and Opportunities in Resistance

Jane Hoelker Qatar University, English Foundation Program

Technology and trade have propelled English forward as an international language and demand communicative competence. Consequently, materials and methods from the West have been imported into the classrooms of diverse cultures. Some institutions might still grapple with large class size, limited resources, outdated materials, or inadequate support systems. Yet, even programs with unlimited resources and support from institutional and national administrations encounter unanticipated challenges. Today, many English programs around the globe have been increasingly seeking accreditation from Western organizations and often craft a prescriptive curriculum in an effort to ensure attaining accreditation requirements. Discussion among instructors at an institution in the Middle East reveals that such activities or approaches, successful in the West, are not always successful in the new context; the more successful are built on cultural, pedagogical, or linguistic characteristics from the students’ context, such as language, oral tradition, folklore, or group dynamics. Issues emerge from these classroom experiences (whether programs are funded with limited or unlimited resources) and provoke questions about the dynamic craft of teaching, the cultural context of the classroom, and learner resistance. Further questions examine a teacher change cycle as a response to innovation and how the sociolinguistic notion that language is primarily social impacts learning. In light of the changing nature of language and learning, an approach to curriculum design as a process that creates a structure within which flexibility in decisions in a learner-centered system is proposed and, thus, bridges the gap between and reconciles theory and classroom practice.

Jane Hoelker served on the Board of Directors of TESOL International Association (2008-2011) and is a past President of TESOL Arabia. She teaches English at Qatar University. She has also taught in the U.S., the Emirates, Japan, Korea, Mali, and Rwanda. She has been a Plenary or Featured Speaker in Oman, Thailand, Pakistan and Australia. She has led teacher training workshops at the Language Institute of Japan. In addition, she has published in various international journals and magazines and has presented at numerous international conferences, including the TESOL International Association Convention. 2 10:00 45 minutes Workshop Al-Alfi Hall

Blended Learning – The Best of Both Worlds Barbara Trimpi Carol Ashen

Macmillan Macmillan

By combining cutting-edge digital resources with the best of traditional classroom teaching materials, teachers can satisfy the needs and interests of their 22nd century students. This workshop will look at how integrated multi-media courses offer flexible and creative teaching solutions both inside and outside the classroom. Focusing on Global, an award winning Macmillan adult ELT course book, we will provide teachers with useful tips and techniques to give their students the best of both worlds. 3 10:00 45 minutes Presentation Shafik Gabr Beyond the Classroom Ismail Khalafallah Oxford University Press Getting students to take responsibility for their own learning is a huge task. This talk focuses on how to encourage students to become autonomous learners and includes how to develop dictionary and reading skills in real context. 4 10:00 45 minutes Presentation Mary Cross Building a Personal Learning Network (PLN) - Key Skill for 21st Century Educators (Teacher Education) Rehab M Ragab

ESL Teacher Institute of Applied Technology in Dubai

With knowledge being redefined and shared through global and social media networks, it is difficult for teachers to keep up with this overwhelming amount of information. This presentation focuses on the importance of creating a Personal Learning Network (PLN) for teachers as well as their role in improving their own professional development.

5 10:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 19 Pre-reading Semantic Mapping Increases Arab College Students’ Reading Comprehension (English for Academic Purposes) Oana El Naggar

Adjunct English Lecturer Kuwait University

This presentation shows the significant boost in L2 students’ reading comprehension as a result of applying an appropriate pre-reading technique. The effects of using the pre-reading semantic mapping technique on Arab intermediate college-level students’ reading comprehension at a women's college in Kuwait will be analyzed in detail. 6 10:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 22 Information is Beautiful! Graphic Organizers in the ESL Classroom (Technology) Jonah Moos

Instructor AUC

Information is beautiful! The increasing power of the personal computer has brought the ability to organize information graphically to the classroom and the individual in unprecedented ways. This presentation will demonstrate some effective methods for teaching students to understand, create, and present information visually. 7 10:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Motivating Students to Read in the 21st Century (English for Academic Purposes) Carol D Clark

ELI Associate Director AUC

In this interactive demonstration, the presenter will show how meaningful reading material, collaborative interaction, practice with strategies, and technological tools can be combined to motivate students to become engaged and strategic readers. Participants will practice motivational activities with a reading and learn about two new web tools. 8 10:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 Unwinding the Legal English Myth (Teacher Education) Anthony G Leone

Instructor AUC

Since the vast majority of practicing lawyers in the world deal with the English Language, the subject of Legal English is an essential course. But most teachers dread the idea of teaching lawyers. This conference session will make clear that any ESL teacher can be a successful Legal English teacher.

9 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 123 Making Academic Writing a Pleasant Challenge (English for Academic Purposes) Inas Kotby

Instructor AUC & The Modern Education American School

The presenter describes an effective methodology for mastering the process of academic writing and making it less challenging and fear free. She goes over each step of the process and highlights the importance of reading and synthesizing. The presenter then shares the outcome of the methodology and shows samples of learners' essay writings and research papers. 10 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 125 Teaching in Style: Interaction Patterns in the EFL Classroom (Teacher Education) Hardie Cooper Jr. Manal Bassyony

English Lecturer Qatar University English Lecturer King Abdul Aziz University

Language teaching practices, such as classroom spatial utilization and classroom communication, are disseminated through different teaching styles. The study of classroom interaction patterns expected to bring about language learning outcomes is an under-researched field that needs more attention. This presentation explores teaching styles and their effects on language teaching practices in two EFL settings. 11 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 126 Uncovering the Secrets of Modern Publishing in TESOL (Teacher Education) Phyllis Wachob

Assistant Professor AUC

If you have ever wanted to see your name in a publication, this session will give hints and explanations about the process. This session will include choosing a publication, examining submission guidelines, demystifying the review process, and finalizing the manuscript. 12 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 201 Teaching Business Communication Inside the Ring (English for Specific Purposes) Alexander M Lewko

Teaching Fellow AUC

This presentation provides attendees with an introduction to business communication. Emphasis will be placed on the different contexts and audiences that may receive and interact with any particular business communiqué. This session will conclude with examples of business communication that should be enlightening, yet unexpected to Business English students.

13 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 202 Using Songs to Teach Grammar (English for Academic Purposes) Mariah J Fairley

Instructor AUC

Integrating grammar teaching into the Communicative Approach can be a struggle. This presentation allows participants to experience a demonstration lesson that uses a popular song to teach grammar in a communicative way, followed by a discussion on the lesson stages. A lesson template for teaching grammar through songs is provided. 14 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 203 Writing Daily Journals: 5 Minutes That Go A Long Way (English for Academic Purposes) Laila A Makhlouf

English Language Instructor AUC

This presentation will show how taking 5 minutes of class time for daily journal writing can have several advantages. A brief overview of what educators have to say as well as the presenter's own insights will be shared. Members of the audience will be encouraged to share their views. 15 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 117 The Power of Literature within EFL Contexts (Teacher Education) Suhair E Al Alami

Lecturer Al Ghurair University

This paper offers thought-provoking suggestions on how literary texts can be utilized to promote students’ communicative competence as well as enhance their critical thinking skills. The paper is based on empirical research undertaken in the United Arab Emirates. The presenter makes recommendations in light of the study’s findings. 16 10:00 45 minutes Presentation C 118 The Six Thinking Hats from the Meeting Room to the EFL Classroom (Teacher Education) Ragia M Youssef

EFL Instructor/ Teacher Trainer King Abdul Aziz University

Today, the Six Thinking Hats have been brought in the EFL classroom as well as the corporate meeting room with the goal of recreating and/or re-shaping the thinking patterns of students in the 21st century. This presentation explores the theory and some practical EFL classroom applications of the Six Thinking Hats.

17 11:00 45 minutes Al-Alfi Hall

What I Didn’t Know in Tanta: How Research Changes a Teacher Dudley Reynolds Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar

I began my career in TESOL as a relatively untrained second-grade teacher in Tanta, Egypt. My classroom was teacher-fronted and “by the book”. Twenty-five years later, I again find myself an ESOL teacher in the Middle East, but I realize that I see my classroom, and more importantly my students, through a different prism. In this talk, I focus on how my experiences in the interim studying and doing research have changed me as a teacher. What do we learn by reading and doing research?

• Ways to answer questions

• You never get 100% agreement – conclusions are generalizations; averages, outliers, ranges, distributions

• Identifying variables

Dudley Reynolds is a Teaching Professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar, and also a member of the TESOL International Association Board of Directors. His research focuses on second language writing, teaching, development, and assessment. He is the author of One on One with Second Language Writers: A Guide for Writing Tutors, Teachers, and Consultants (University of Michigan Press, 2009) and Assessing Writing, Assessing Learning (University of Michigan Press, 2010).

18 11:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Portfolios vs. Traditional Assessment... Requirements, Opportunities, and Challenges (Assessment) Ragia M Youssef

EFL Instructor/ Teacher Trainer King Abdul Aziz University

As reform movements sweep across the landscape of higher education in Saudi Arabia, portfolios promise enhanced dimensions of learning, besides acting as a powerful assessment tool. This presentation investigates the requirements of applying an assessment portfolio system and evaluates its initial implementation in the ELI of King Abdul Aziz University.

19 11:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 Plagiarism: Is there a solution? – A Case Study (Teacher Education) Amal A Abou-Setta

Fieldwork Supervisor AUC

A wide variety of causes have been put forward explaining plagiarism ranging from easy access to the Internet to students’ ethical stands. But could there be one main reason behind plagiarism? This case study and its concluding proposed model challenge the literature and claim that the answer is YES. 20 11:00 45 minutes Presentation C 201 Community-Based Learning and Teaching English: Challenges & Opportunities (English for Academic Purposes) Nuray Grove Nohayer Lotfy

Director of ESL Services University of Richmond Language Instructor October University for Modern Sciences & Arts

Community Based Learning (CBL) and service learning provide meaningful language learning experiences. Reflecting on CBL, reading, writing, and talking about it will lead to transformative learning. This presentation will focus on theories of experiential learning and provide practical ideas for using CBL in an EFL setting. 21 11:00 45 minutes Presentation C 202 Listening - No problem! (Teacher Education) Ahmed Abdel Fattah

Academic Manager & English Language Instructor Al Azhar English Training Centre, Azhar University

“I have to deal with native speakers, but I panic over the thought of listening to them” is a statement teachers sometimes hear from students. Do you have the necessary teaching skills to help them? This workshop covers some theory on the listening process and how to help students listen to English speakers. 22 11:00 45 minutes Presentation C 203 Active Learning Practices in Large College Classes (Teacher Education) Khaled Dabbour

Senior English Language Instructor Al-Azhar University

This presentation begins with an overview of research on the effects of large college classes on foreign language teaching and learning with a focus on the Egyptian context. Then, the presenter will introduce various practices drawn from research findings and from his own experience with Egyptian EFL large college classes.

23 11:00 45 minutes Presentation C 117 A Suggested Model of Conversation Development through Movies (Teacher Education) Safaa M Abdel-Halim

Lecturer Helwan University

This presentation reports on the results of a study on a suggested model of conversation development through movies for prospective EFL teachers and its effect on their teaching performance. The talk addresses the topic covered and challenges encountered. Recommendations for better implementation of such a model will be discussed. 24 11:00 45 minutes Presentation C 118 Utilizing Facebook for a More Effective Writing Process (Technology) Amira Erfan

English Trainer AMIDEAST

Both teachers and students regard writing as the least interactive and engaging learning activity in an EFL classroom. Can educators in the 21st century invest in social networks, such as Facebook, to support digital literacy and transform rigid writing tasks into a productive and entertaining experience for students and teachers? 25 12:00 45 minutes Workshop Al-Alfi Hall

On-Line Solutions for Teachers and Students Sahar Azzam Macmillan Macmillan’s One-Stop English offers teachers a searchable database full of creative, ready-to-go lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching tips for any type of lesson, level, or age-group. This workshop will show new users how to find what they need at their fingertips, while highlighting some of the new, exciting tools and features. For the 22nd century student, Macmillan Practice On-Line offers 24/7 access to on-line learning, with 80 on-line courses designed to support classroom teaching. The 2nd half of this workshop will take a look at the range of digital self-study and reference course materials that schools and teachers can now offer their busy and demanding students. 26 12:00 45 minutes Presentation Shafik Gabr Exploring the Latest Developments of National Geographic Learning Thomas Kelley

ILB National Geographic Learning

Participants will learn about the latest methods, techniques, and products from National Geographic Learning, one of the most innovative publishers with products ranging from American school programs to ELT to universities to libraries. Come learn, enjoy, and maybe win something.

27 12:00 45 minutes Presentation Mary Cross How Can Collaborative Pre-writing Activities Enhance Students' Writing? (English for Academic Purposes) Kamila M Helmy Mariam T El-Wakeel

English Language Instructor AUC English Language Instructor AUC

The presenters aim to show the effect of implementing collaborative tasks in writing classes by presenting practical pre-writing activities. Brainstorming and outlining are two skills, which if done collaboratively, aid students with ideas that they can ultimately develop into meaningful writing. 28 12:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 19 Error Correction of Student Writing (English for Academic Purposes) Afaf Z Mishriki Amani S Demian

Senior Instructor AUC Senior Instructor AUC

This presentation will focus on some of the most significant research findings in the area of error correction (corrective feedback) and the current debate on its effectiveness or lack of it. It will attempt to show practical ways to respond to student essays that can improve learning and produce better writing. 29 12:00 45 minutes PO 22

Roundtable Discussion TESOL/Applied Linguistics Post-Graduate Study in Egypt

Robert Williams Chair, MATEFL program – ELI/AUC This session will provide an opportunity for ELT professionals and professionals-in-training to gather information about various pre-MATEFL and MATEFL programs in Egypt. Panelists will be from the MATEFL program at AUC as well as from various pre-MA Applied Linguistics or TESOL programs at Egyptian national universities. 30 12:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Language Proficiency Exams: Comparing the IELTS, BULATS, and STEP Exams (Assessment) B. Douglas Meyer

Lecturer Kwansei Gakuin University

The presenter, who is also an examiner, will compare three major exams and identify their purposes, strengths, and weaknesses as language proficiency exams. Strategies will also be suggested for students who need to pass these exams for advancement.

31 12:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 Actual Composition of an Essay (English for Academic Purposes) Laila Y Kamal Mona M El Saady

Senior English Language Instructor AUC Senior English Language Instructor AUC

Writing a composition generally involves content, organization, and language. In research writing, the synthesis of information in a coherent, logical manner is also necessary. This presentation is an attempt to offer guidance to help students collect information from a variety of sources, synthesize it, and form a cohesive essay. 32 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 123 Teachers’ Use of Questioning in EFL Reading Classes: Strategies and Reasons (Teacher Education) Enas A Hammad Academic Instructor The study reported in this paper investigated teachers’ use of questioning in English reading classes at Palestinian prep schools. The study drew its data from interviews with 16 teachers of English and audio-recorded observations of their English reading classes. The data showed that the frequency of teachers’ use of question types varied depending on the school type and reading stage. 33 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 125 Teacher and Student Interviews to Introduce Language Learning Strategies (English for Academic Purposes) Matthew F Kershaw

English Lecturer Kanda University of International Studies

This presentation will introduce a materials design project that utilizes teacher and student interviews to share language learning strategies. By looking at near-peer role models and also their own teachers talking about learning strategies, students can gain many ideas and different perspectives on how to improve their English ability. 34 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 126 Humor and Comedy in EFL Classrooms (Teacher Education) Sarah F Shehatta

EFL Instructor MISR University for Science & Technology

It is a challenge to relate language taught in EFL classrooms to real life interactions. However, humor can break the stereotypical classroom situation and mitigate this challenge. This presentation will demonstrate how EFL teachers can employ sitcoms to introduce concepts of Conversational Cooperation and Politeness as characteristics of daily communication.

35 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 201 Using Projects in Teaching EAP Courses (English for Academic Purposes) Mamura H Alimova

English Instructor Namangan State University

The purpose of this presentation is to provide attendees with information about the implementation of projects in EAP courses. It will also give information about project outcomes and the successes and challenges that both the teacher and students experience while conducting these projects. The usage of an integrated skills approach in projects will be discussed during the presentation. 36 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 202 Integrating Culture into Curriculum (English Access Miscro Scholarship Program) (Teacher Education) Hala Al Toni

English Instructor AMIDEAST

Teaching culture in an EFL class as a means of enhancing students’ acquisition of the second language and promoting appropriate usage in different contexts is a great challenge for language teachers. This session stresses the importance of the integration of culture in EFL classes and explores essential cultural themes that meaningfully highlight both the first and second language cultures. Participants will also learn about various techniques and resources for the smooth integration of culture into their own language lessons. 37 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 203 The Network Complexity of the ELT Profession (Teacher Education) Ahmed A Mohammed

Associate Professor English, Neelain University, Khartoum

Compared to many jobs, ELT is a highly complex profession. A range of independent agents collectively intervene within the language teaching and learning performance. A ‘complexity system theory’ is therefore urgently required to explain the behavior of all elements within the ELT system and to inform practice in effect.

38 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 117 Creating Opportunities Using Popular Student Technology (Technology) Caitlin Cornell Myrna Youssef

English Language Fellow Haigazian University, ELF Program U.S. State Department English Department Faculty Haigazian University

In the 21st century, instructors face the unique challenge of vying for students’ attention in unprecedented ways. Distracting technology, like cell phones and Facebook, can disrupt classroom learning, but it is possible to turn this challenge into a teaching opportunity and use popular technology to your advantage. 39 12:00 45 minutes Presentation C 118 Considerations in Developing and/or Adopting Scoring Rubrics (Assessment) Amira Salama Yasmine Abdullah

English Instructor Al-Azhar University English Instructor Al-Azhar University

Assessment literacy has become fundamental for educators. Performance assessment is a problematic assessment area because sometimes it does not yield valid results. Scoring rubrics have solved this problem but developing and/or adopting adequate rubrics can be elusive for novice educators. Participants will learn helpful strategies for developing scoring rubrics. 40 1:00 45 minutes Presentation Shafik Gabr The New Cambridge University Press Course ‘Four Corners’ Peter Lucantoni Cambridge University Press This workshop will provide teachers with an overview of the new Cambridge University Press course ‘Four Corners’ by Jack Richards. Teachers will have the opportunity to explore the teaching methodology in the course and to review some of the course material.

41 1:00 45 minutes Presentation Mary Cross Intersecting Expectations: Conflict as Opportunity (Teacher Education) Adam Leskis Lucas Kohnke

ESL Instructor American University of Afghanistan ESL Instructor American University of Afghanistan

The presentation is an investigation of how teaching EFL learners in an active conflict zone can often present contrasting expectations both from learners as well as teachers. The presenters will specifically focus on how these contrasts can be exploited as avenues of growth. 42 1:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 19 Challenges and Opportunities of Co-training during In-service Teacher Education Programs (Teacher Education) Lamia J Al Sinani Jabria S Al Mukhaini

Trainer Ministry of Education, Oman Supervisor Ministry of Education, Oman

This presentation explores how co-training can contribute to improving the quality of in-service teacher training. Benefits and opportunities offered through co-training will be discussed based on practical examples from training sessions and trainees’ views. Challenges and possible solutions will be explored as well as practical implications for teaching. 43 1:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 22 Teaching the Skills: Digital Versus Print Literacy (Teacher Education) Ihab M Freiz

Lecturer Al-Alsun, Minia University

The Internet is an amazing learning resource. Skill sets for sorting and judging information are vital. The challenge for schools is not to lock that information out, but to teach students skills to deal with these challenges in a new culture of collaboration and learning beyond print literacy.

44 1:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Negotiating Meaning in Texts: Group Work in Mixed-Ability Classes (English for Academic Purposes) George Botelho

English Language Instructor King Faisal Foundation, Saudi Arabia

This presentation will look at ways teachers can encourage their multi-level classes to become active learners by engaging in small group dialogues based on a variety of text types. Emphasis will be placed on ideas and values inherent in a text. Students' achievements should be based on individual competencies, not only measured in comparison to other students. 45 1:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 Rethinking English Language Teaching: Focusing on Learner Output (Teacher Education) Deena M Badawi

English Language Instructor The English Studies Division, SCE, AUC

ELT has witnessed a lot of changes in the last two decades. One of the major changes has been restudying learner output. Until the early 1990s, second language acquisition (SLA) theories emphasized the importance of learner input on the one hand while deemphasizing learner output on the other hand. Due to the increasing focus on the learner (learner autonomy), learner output has been given its due active role in L2 learning and teaching. This presentation will first illustrate the active roles of learner output in SLA. After that, it will demonstrate the methods of promoting and encouraging these roles in the L2 classroom. 46 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 123 Using Teaching Portfolios as a Method to Develop Teaching Performance (Teacher Education) Maha A Hassan

Rhetoric and Composition Department AUC

Teaching portfolios can be a helpful tool in promoting better teaching performance. The process of selecting evidence of teaching performance and commenting on it engages the teacher in a process of critical self-evaluation that can be transformative of her beliefs and practices. 47 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 125 Developing Dynamic Classroom Interaction through Reading Circles (English for Academic Purposes) Susanne Rizzo

English Language Instructor AUC

Motivating students to read, building confidence in their reading proficiency, and discussing what they have read are a constant challenge in a foreign language. Literature circles have been shown to effectively meet these issues. Through an interactive, structured method, participants will be shown how to adapt this useful strategy.

48 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 126 Singing Along and Karaoke for a Better Accent (Teacher Education) Heba A Atey

English teachers' supervisor Misr Business Academy

Teaching students pronunciation and enabling them to have a better accent can be very easy and interesting by singing and karaoke. Let's learn how to use songs from YouTube for acquiring the accent students need. 49 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 201 Teaching and Assessing Pronunciation in Integrated Skills, Communicative Classrooms (Teacher Education) Yasmine A Abbas Mai M Abdel-Hakeem

English Instructor ELRC, Al Azhar University English Instructor AMIDEAST

Teaching pronunciation is a neglected area in the field of TEFL. Many factors lead teachers of English to ignore teaching and/or correcting pronunciation inside language classrooms. The presenters will address such factors, sharing ideas, activities, and resources to enhance the teaching and assessing of pronunciation. 50 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 202 Plagiarism: A Game of Wits or a Way of Learning? (Teacher Education) Sanaa A Makhlouf

Senior Instructor AUC

Today, with the spread of the Internet, many students are plagiarizing their work. This qualitative study examines links between students' educational background, majors, and their understanding of academic integrity. The researcher explores why students plagiarize, how we can decrease this academic phenomenon, and the many challenges and future possibilities.

51 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 203 Video Games in Class? (Technology) Ahmed Karam

English Language Programs Senior Coordinator AMIDEAST

Video games can enhance the communicative and affective competencies of young adults as language learners. This session shows the power of video games as a constructive force in language classes. Participants will learn how to integrate the communicative and affective principles of EFL learning with video game playing in the classroom. 52 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 117 ‘He can’t say it in English’: Understanding Code-switching in Classrooms (Teacher Education) Ahlam M Abu Khoti

TAFL Graduate Student AUC

This literature review will discuss code-switching in classrooms. The talk will cover a description of the phenomenon, how it is viewed in the literature, and how it is used as a pedagogical tool by teachers and as an identity marker by students in different educational environments. 53 1:00 45 minutes Presentation C 118 The Relationship between Reading Performance and Attitudes in L2 (English) and L1 (Arabic) (English for Academic Purposes) Waleed A Nureldeen

Teaching Assistant Menoufiya University

This presentation attempts to give insight into the relationship between L2 (English) and L1 (Arabic) reading abilities of Egyptian university students who learn English or study in English. It also aims at investigating those learners’ attitudes to reading in English and Arabic. The presenter will discuss this topic with one eye on research and the other on pedagogical classroom implications.

54 2:00 45 minutes Plenary Mansour Hall &

Al-Alfi Hall

Classroom Research and the Whole Teacher Alan Pulverness Norwich Institute for Language Education

“Classroom Research is Teacher Development made explicit” - Maria-Elena Perera de Perez. Foreign language classrooms are complex and highly volatile environments, freighted with intellectual and emotional investment by all the participants. Much of the discussion of humanism in language teaching has centred on self-actualisation for the learner, while the teacher has been seen primarily as the agent who facilitates this process. Classroom research is a powerful instrument for teachers themselves to examine particular episodes of teaching and learning. Its investigative cycle of problematising, experiment-ing, and reflecting can enable the teacher not only to be more fully conscious of what is happening in her classroom, but also to develop her relationship to the classroom community. This talk will outline the principles and practice of classroom research, focusing particularly on its potential in terms of teacher development. Alan Pulverness is Assistant Academic Director at NILE, the Norwich Institute for Language Education. He has worked extensively with the British Council in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland on cultural studies, teaching materials, and syllabus projects, and in Russia on reader development. He is the author / co-author of a number of books, most recently Reading Matters (Helbling 2007) and The TKT Course (CUP 2005; 2011). From 2000 to 2004, he was Editor of IATEFL Conference Selections and from 2001 to 2005, he was Co-chair of the British Council’s Oxford Conference on the Teaching of Literature. 55 3:00 45 minutes Presentation Al-Alfi Hall Great Opportunities for Teacher Professional Development Maha Hamed

The American Embassy in Cairo: Regional English Language Office (RELO)

The RELO offers a wide variety of opportunities for the professional development of English language instructors in Egypt. This presentation introduces you to these opportunities so that you can select the one that best realizes your ambitions for a professional career in teaching. Your queries as to the nature of the courses and the application process for each of the programs offered will be addressed at the end of the presentation.

56 3:00 90 minutes Workshop Shafik Gabr Games in the Language Classroom Sylvie Weens Sphinx Publishing/ Longman The presenter will show how to use games in the classroom. The workshop will deal with cooperative and competitive games in language classrooms at all stages. 57 3:00 45 minutes Presentation Mary Cross Using Wikis: Teacher Challenges and Student Opportunities (Technology) Caitlin Cornell Sahar Hamzeh

English Language Fellow Haigazian University, ELF Program U.S. State Department English Department Faculty Haigazian University

Using technology, like wikis, can be challenging for teachers, but enhances students’ learning experiences and reinforces communicative teaching practices. Learn how easy it can be to use a wiki for the first time and explore the ways in which two instructors implemented wikis in different programs at the same university. 58 3:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 19 Developing EFL Students’ Critical Thinking through Reading Stories (English for Academic Purposes) Ola Hafez

Assistant Division Director SCE, AUC

This presentation shows how teachers can use stories to develop their students’ critical thinking skills through activities including evaluating, transforming, comparing and contrasting, synthesizing, and re-writing. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to locate appropriate stories, to develop critical thinking activities, and to design reflective practice for improvement. 59 3:00 90 minutes Workshop PO 22 Extending Reading with Writing (English for Academic Purposes) Maria C Arruda Meegan Rivera

English Language Fellow English Language Resource Center, Al-Azhar University English Language Fellow English Language Resource Center, Al-Azhar University

This workshop focuses on how reading and writing intersect and how these skills can be interwoven in engaging collaborative activities. Presenters will model four activities - the mind mirror, group re-telling, letter writing, and perspective writing - and will provide adequate time for attendees to experience the activities in groups.

60 3:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Cascading Training: From Trickle to Torrent (Teacher Education) Simon Etherton Salima K Al-Sinani

Training Adviser/Consultant Ministry of Education, Oman Training Specialist Ministry of Education, Oman

Although ‘cascade’ training can be an efficient way of disseminating new ideas and practices to teachers, all too often the message becomes diluted or lost. In this presentation, the opportunities and challenges of cascade training are explored, informed by the experience of in-service training of English teachers in Oman. 61 3:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 TOEFL Preparation Course Design through Student-Teacher Collaboration (English for Academic Purposes) Mariah J Fairley Yara Fathy

Instructor AUC Instructor Al Azhar University

Traditional TOEFL preparation courses can often be uninspiring, built around having students repeatedly complete tedious practice exercises individually. Might there be a more innovative approach? Through demonstration, participants will be invited to explore one such approach, where students and teachers collaborate to design courses that better target real individual needs. 62 3:00 45 minutes Presentation C 123 The Contemporary EFL/ESL Teacher’s Mini-guide to Survival and Success (Teacher Education) Renata Bobakova

Teaching Associate/Reading and Vocabulary Core Course Coordinator Intensive English Program, University of South Carolina

Are you feeling overworked, stressed out, exhausted, or possibly burned out? If so, then this presentation is for you! Come to learn how to tackle the common predicaments of contemporary educators with a combination of life-saving, time-saving, and energy-saving techniques I have amassed during my TESOL career.

63 3:00 45 minutes Presentation C 125 A Revolutionary Approach to Project-Based Instruction: Tahrir Square as ELT Material (English for Academic Purposes) Amira Salama

English Language Instructor English Language Resource Center, Al-Azhar University

Have you ever thought of teaching "Tahrir Square" in your class? Re-discover an innovative approach to inspire your students by using project-based instruction. Find ways to better invest in students' in-class activities inspired by the Egyptian Revolution. The presenter will share creative ideas for language-integrated projects within the Revolution theme. 64 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 126 Enhance Your Speaking Power: For Teachers and Students (Teacher Education) Andrew Nowlan

Instructor of English as a Foreign Language Kwansei Gakuin University

Public speaking is a skill that can be improved in the EFL classroom. In this workshop, the presenter will introduce the six most common problems for speakers (lack of eye contact, speaking too fast, etc.) and suggest fun in-class activities that can be practiced to rectify the errors. 65 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 201 Tips and Strategies for Teaching a Communicative Mixed-Language Abilities Classroom (Teacher Education) Marwa A Atieya Rania R Khalil

EFL Instructor and Writing Centre Coordinator The British University in Egypt Assistant Professor The British University in Egypt

Teaching a class with mixed language abilities can easily make students frustrated. Stronger students may feel held back, while weaker students may feel pressured. This workshop aims to show participants how to engage students with mixed language abilities in the teaching-learning process in a more effective way. 66 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 202 Questioning is a Tool for Encouraging Critical Thinking (English for Academic Purposes) Mai Magdy Abdel-Hakeem

English Language Instructor AMIDEAST

Developing critical thinking is crucial for our students in order to be able to cope with 21st century challenges and demands. The presenter will show how to incorporate critical thinking in class through the use of universal intellectual standards and Socratic questioning.

67 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 203 Collaborate to Learn and Play to Practice: Tips and Tricks for Using Games in ESL Classes. (Teacher Education) Mayy H ElHayawi

Assistant Professor Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University

If your students can neither collaborate while learning nor play while practicing, this workshop will provide you with the magic formula. While seated or on your feet, while working individually or within a group, you will learn and practice how to turn the boredom of traditional teaching into sheer fun. 68 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 117 Activities for Facing the Challenges of Teaching Advanced Levels (English for Academic Purposes) Yomna Y Mohamed

Senior English Instructor & Teacher Trainer Al-Azhar University, Al-Azhar English Training Centre

Are you facing difficulty in finding activities for advanced level classes? This workshop will provide some solutions by sharing my experience of some activities that work well for such classes by looking at the challenges facing teachers of high level classes and where to find some up-to-date activities. 69 3:00 90 minutes Workshop C 118 Promoting Learner Autonomy through Receptive Skills Activities (English for Academic Purposes) Mohammed Errihani

Senior Fellow & Director ELRC Al Azhar University

This workshop focuses on ways of helping language learners take charge of their own learning both inside and outside the classroom, especially when teaching receptive skills. The presenter will share two student-led activities that can be done regularly in reading and listening classes to promote learner autonomy. 70 4:00 45 minutes Presentation Al-Alfi Hall Critical Thinking with Q Skills Ismail Khalafallah Oxford University Press Critical thinking opens the door for better learning and creating a positive learning atmosphere. In this session, we will look at how Q skills offer a wide range of tasks to develop all cognitive skills.

71 4:00 45 minutes Presentation Mary Cross The Internet: Bringing Language Teaching into the 21st Century (Teacher Education) Heba Fathelbab

IEP Coordinator Canadian International College

Learning how to utilize the Internet and its resources has become crucial to all EFL educators. This presentation will help guide teachers through some important and useful Internet websites. It will also familiarize them with some applications that use the Internet to support language learning, such as blogs, wikis, and WebQuests. 72 4:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 19 Academic Writing Skills for International Post-graduate Students (English for Academic Purposes) Khiari Obaid Al-Zubaidi

Language Academy University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

This presentation focuses on developing the academic writing skills for post-graduate students in order to familiarize them with the genre of academic writing and to enable them to practice the rhetorical methods of writing development that are common in academic writing. This study takes the students from the structures of paragraph writing and features of academic texts to advanced research paper requirements through a process approach, while enhancing the grammatical structure, register, vocabularies, referencing, citation, and critical analysis in writing. These are not only used to develop students’ writing skills, but also to help graduate students become independent and creative writers and be able to publish their papers in international journals. 73 4:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 07 Autonomous Learning: Role of L1 Culture in a Saudi Classroom (Teacher Education) Yusuf A Torofdar

Senior English Lecturer Dar Al Uloom University

Critical thinking implies different things to different people in different contexts and cultures. Some argue that classes containing elements of critical thought generally tend to be more interesting and engaging. Are the dynamics of teaching critical thinking in L2 different or can the same goals be achieved? 74 4:00 45 minutes Presentation PO 21 Heading into Self-learning through Acquiring Dictionary Skills (English for Academic Purposes) Sherine M Ostos

English Instructor AMIDEAST

EFL teachers, aiming at helping their students become self-learners able to find and check information for themselves, will find this session beneficial. The presenter will discuss her experience with her adult students who were helped to acquire and investigate the different skills an English/ English dictionary provides.

75 4:00 45 minutes Presentation C 123 Using Jokes in EFL Classrooms (Young Learners) Sarah F Shehatta

EFL Instructor MISR University for Science & Technology

Humor has proven to be engaging and motivating in EFL classrooms. Instead of teaching grammar rules and vocabulary lists, teachers can effectively use jokes as contextualized authentic language which exposes learners to language components and enhances learners’ language skills. This presentation will engage participants in interactive classroom activities using jokes. 76 4:00 45 minutes Presentation C 125 Using Non-fiction Material in Classes – An Overlooked Gem! Mai Mohamed Rizk

ILB International Language Bookshop

The presentation is a review of some educational problems that research has reported on during the last 8 years, suggesting that many could be resolved by using non-fiction material in school curricular courses. Samples of non-fiction books will be presented.

77 5:00 90 minutes Panel Discussion

Al-Alfi Hall

Testing Colloquium Assessment for Learning: Is It Realistic for the EFL Classroom?

Alan Pulverness Norwich Institute for Language Education Atta Gebril The American University in Cairo Dudley Reynolds Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar Jane Hoelker Qatar University, English Foundation Program Nihal Mourad Nile Egyptian Schools Discussant: Deena Boraie The American University in Cairo Moderator: Elizabeth Arrigoni The American University in Cairo

Assessment for learning refers to the use of classroom-based assessments to enhance and improve teaching and student learning, rather than to simply measure or monitor learning (assessment of learning). Despite the fact that many researchers and educators are increasingly realizing the benefits of assessment for learning in the classroom, in many classrooms and schools, the focus is still on assessment of learning. Teachers often feel there is too much material to cover in a course, or too much assessment already, to use precious resources like class time on assessment for learning. And even if teachers are convinced of the potential of assessment for learning to improve student learning, they do not necessarily know how to implement the necessary techniques and strategies.

This interactive panel discussion will explore the following questions:

• What exactly is assessment for learning? What are some of the key differences between assessment for learning and assessment of learning?

• What are the benefits of assessment for learning? What are the effects on student learning and student affect?

• How can teachers learn more about assessment for learning? What kinds of resources do teachers need to implement assessment for learning in their classrooms?

• What is the student’s role, if any, in assessment for learning? • Is assessment for learning realistic for classes with large numbers of students? Or

for classes that do not meet daily? • How can teachers with large numbers of students and few resources use

assessment for learning? • Is assessment for learning worth the time and effort teachers and students must

invest in order for it to be effective?

Each panelist will give a brief presentation and then respond to participants’ questions and comments. Local and international views will be presented.