MATE Middle School Study Day Report

by **Admin** Wed May 21, 2008 5:57 pm

The Moroccan Association of Teachers of English
Agadir Local Brach

MATE Middle School Study Day Report

The Moroccan Association of Teachers of English (MATE) – Agadir Local Branch - Organised on Tuesday 29/04/2008 a study day. The theme of this study day was: “Updating the Way We Teach: Steps towards professional Development”. This event focused mainly the teachers of English in the Middle School Cycle. The Middle schools Study Day was enrolled in, the Lectures room of the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul. And about 35 teachers attended from the delegations of: Chtouka Ait Baha, Inzegane Ait Melloul and Agadir Idaoutanane.

This Pedagogical Day was launched by the speech of the representative of the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul, in which he recognised the efforts MATE has been/is doing to develop the teaching of English. He has also congratulated MATE for the good reputation it has either on the National level or internationally.
Followed, Mr. Hassane FATHI, the president of MATE-Agadir delivered a speech. At the outset of his speech, Mr. FATHI reviewed the various activities the Local Branch is doing, and that are of interest to both teachers and students, he has also seized the opportunity to thank all the parties who contributed to the success of this Study Day, precisely the Souss Massa Daraa Regional Academy of Education and Training, the delegations of Chtouka Ait Baha, Inzegane Ait Melloul & Agadir Ida Outanane, and inspectors of English working in those delegations.

During this event, which was chaired and moderated by Mr. Ahmed ATLAGH - an EFL teacher in the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul and the vice-president of MATE-Agadir - many presentations and workshops were given. The first presentation was offered by Mr. Abdelatif Zoubair, a ELT supervisor at the delegation of Agadir Idaoutanane. In his presentation entitled “Promoting Extensive Reading”, Mr. Zoubair defined extensive Reading, in comparison to intensive Reading. He also stated the reasons why Extensive Reading should be used in English classed, as well as the characteristics of a successful Extensive Reading lesson. The second presentation was given by Mr Hassane Fathi, an EFL teacher in the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul. Entitled: “Creative and Critical Thinking: the Missing Skill” Mr. Fathi tried to highlight in his presentation, the importance of critical thinking and creativity in our educational system, especially as our world is changing rapidly. He also suggested some ways that can be catered for teachers to develop critical thinking and creativity among their student.

The third presentation was given by Mr. Elmadani Fahmi, an EFL teacher in the delegation of Agadir Idaoutanane. In his presentation: “Another Gap to Bridge in TEFL in Morocco” Mr. Fahmi talked about the differences that exist between the teaching of English in Junior secondary cycle and the senior secondary cycle, due to the absence of coordination between teachers of both levels. A point, which could be considered as one of the problems, of teaching of English, in Morocco.

Later, the participants were involved into two workshops. The first workshop: “Fun Writing Activities: Bag of Tricks” was led by Mr. Ayad CHRAA, an EFL teacher in the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul, who tried to present some practical activities and materials that can turn Writing activity into an interesting and funny one, which students will certainly enjoy. As well as nurture the student's self-confidence. The second workshop was led by Mr. Miloud NAJRAN and Mr. Abdelkader ASAFIR, an ELT Supervisor and EFL teacher in the delegation of Inzegane Ait Melloul. In their workshop they presented some websites of the British Council. The two workshop leaders tried through this workshop to draw the attention of teachers to the vast quantity of activities and exercises embedded in these websites.

At the end of this meeting, participants sat for a round table where they gave their observations as well as discuss their in class practice problems they are encountering. The problems raised by teachers could be presented as follows:

1 / Large classes that hinder the teaching/learning process.

2 / Teachers are charged to teach a big number of classes (one teacher per twelve classes).

3 / Absence of equipments and facilities to do a normal job (pedagogical equipments, Xerox machines …etc).

4 / Absence of order inside and outside classes as school administrations are facing a huge problems to control students behaviour, (e.g. rooms without keys)

5 / Absence of circulars governing the teaching of English in Middle School Cycle, since its instauration.

6 / A lot of tests to correct and absence of Circulars governing testing and evaluation in this cycle.

7 / the inadequate time per week to teach English, at the Middle School Cycle (2 hours per week).

8 / The difference between the rural and urban area.

Participants also praised this step taken by the Agadir Local Branch of MATE to gather ELT community in the region.

The Participants moved later to TANIT restaurant for the lunch meal. Then visited the ALMAOUZ Middle School-Aourir, to donate a set of books and magazines, for the sake of founding a school library devoted to students. On this occasion, the school principle recognised this social action that the Agadir Local Branch of MATE took to wards his school.

Secretary General
Mohammed
Channa

Translated by:
Zakaria JAMAATI

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