13- 14- 15- 16 August

 Micro training and feedback. ( in three groups of ten ) All participants micro training twice. 25 minutes training - 25 minutes feedback. We were divided into three groups and assigned a trainer for observation and consultation. We got group and individual advice and assistance from trainers while planning our micro-trainings.


My first Micro training ( Teaching reading lower level )

My Second Micro training ( Making groups )

Each teacher who was presenting would get the trainers observation as well as group member’s who took the seat by the trainer during the presentation. This was a valuable and mutually beneficial experience.

12 August

 Plenary Designing and evaluating workshops, Teaching Grammar and lesson planning.
Grammar- Language learning is often viewed as linear process. We teach this piece and we expect that our Ss will acquire them one by one. However , that is not what happens. For example you are learning the tenses, and you are doing fine, you learn the simple present, the simple past, the present continuous. Then the teacher introduces the present perfect, and all of a sudden you performance becomes less proficient. You have added another tense and the system you have constructed regresses. Fortunately, through interaction with others, eventually, order is restored. Learning is a creative process, full of hills and valleys. Learners should use language in order to learn it.

Giving Feedback- Giving teachers ownership of development
Good Feedback- Content : Discusses content, process , values; Highlights positives;   Highlights deficiencies with specific and tested guidelines for improvements;
- Direction: Is a two way street
- Process: Is conducted in an environment befitting the goal: mutual understanding and improvement.

10- 11 August

 ( Saturday - Sunday ) Free Time , visit Historic Deerfield, New York , Community Exchange day.
                                       Cultural Activities

      1) Historic Deerfield Visit. We had a tour in a beautifully restored museum house with its architecture and furnishings, collection of early American crafts, ceramics, textiles and metalwork.I was really impressed with everything I saw there and especially with our tour guide who gave a very emotional tour and it was impossible not to follow her in every detail.

 2) New York . On Sunday We visited New York, It was very interesting , impressive, exciting trip. We took Hop on , Hop off Bus and traveled around the city, We saw Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, Museums...  We sang national anthem:

8-9 August

  Workshops: Training delivery, working with course books, . Plenary ways of providing input,. Teaching listening and reading. Considerations when using a course book lesson:
- What are my students objectives?
-Which activities will help me accomplish these objectives?

-Are the activities engaging?...

Process Categories in teacher training:




We worked on adapting materials in our textbooks.

7 August

 Assessing the needs of teachers. Workshop: Teaching vocabulary, Teaching speaking .
1) What makes a good speaking class?
   - Learners talk a lot.
   -participation is even
    - motivation is high
   -language is of an acceptable level
2) A general checklist for pair and group speaking activities:
                                       - Is talking really necessary for the task or activity to be completed?
                                        -Are pupils using stretches of language?
                                        -Is thinking involved?
                                       - Are all pupils involved in some way?




We were invited to have a lunch- barbecue . We had different food, breathing fresh air and communicating with other people living and working on the campus. It was really fun and exciting.

6 August

 Library Orientation . After that Plenary- How teachers learn. Experiential Learning, Reflection. Learning is social. Workshop- Learning centered classes.
Moving from teaching to training :
1) know your subject.
 2) Use your skills as a teacher when you train.
 3) Know what you are trying to accomplish.
 4) Learn to recognize results.
 5) Allow yourself to be a beginner.



After the training we visited  the SIT Graduate Institute Library and they  introduce us  the electronic resources.

Brattleboro Visit - We visited Brattleboro, Walked in the streets .

Workshops - Program orientation, Moving from teachers to trainers. Our trainers are Andrew Dick and Radmila Popovic. We discussed qualities and attitudes, similarities and deferences.

5 August

 First day in the USA. We are in Word Learning center ( campus ).When we arrived in Brattleboro we were welcomed by Neil, a person who gave all the necessary details we needed. The first trip, it was campus orientation. There are lots of residences: Oak - World learning EDEP Education unit Language and culture department,  Rotch - Facilities EIL, Academis Resource Exchange/ Library, Student center- Student affairs, EI Cafe, student computer lab, The Stephen and Nita Lowey International Center Dining, Classrooms, Residence... I and Tamar live in Ellsworth  Residence.