Asociación de Profesores de Inglés de Buenos Aires Asociación Civil sin Fines de Lucro Personería Jurídica c.7111 Res. 8524/79 CUIT 30-66211994-2
Newsletter 18 S e p t e m b e r
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From the President
As we come to the end of another presidential term, it is fit and proper to look back over what has been achieved. I can honestly say that there has been a steep but enjoyable learning curve. Over these years it has been possible to understand more clearly what is feasible, what is difficult and what is impossible to achieve in our context. On a very personal note, I can say that it has been an enriching experience to have been able to work with many colleagues, drawing on everyone's strengths, to attain the best results. When I joined the APIBA Executive Committee, as a Member, back in 1998, I did it knowing there was a lot to be done. Now, after five years, I am convinced that there is much more to be done. But I am also pleased to look back at what can be achieved with people who wish to see projects through. Many things have changed, within and without the Association. However, I am still certain that the key to success is the active participation of all members. We may or may not have substantial funds in the bank, but the essential ingredient is not that. We simply cannot attain the aims of the Association with monetary resources alone. When I think back over the last two terms, I recall specific events: conferences, particularly the FAAPI 2001 Conference; publications; the APIBA SIGs (Special Interest Groups); the varied offer of events and training opportunities; the constant flow of communication to members; a certain level of administrative organization; the APIBA Web site; and the list goes on … None of these could have been achieved without the commitment of many people, too many to mention individually. There are also many pending issues, from small improvements to large projects. To name but a few: the Jobshop; an active role for the Sub-Committees; the application of a Code of Ethics; a definitive solution to the itinerant office; legal matters; greater and more fluid interaction with other like-minded organizations; greater geographic decentralization of activities; etc., etc., etc. I would like to end this piece on a positive note to encourage all those APIBA members out there who may be considering joining the Executive Committee at the forthcoming elections: you can be sure that, challenging as the job certainly is, it is also extremely rewarding; it is a unique opportunity to work on projects that are truly meaningful and on which you will be able to learn most of all from colleagues.
Cristina Banfi
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From the President APIBA Annual Seminar Article 39: a thing of the past • FAAPI 2003 update • APIBA publications and how to get them • Time to step up • Discounts for members
O f f i c e
H o u r s
Remember our office hours: √ MONDAYS 10.30-12.30 (Lib. Rodríguez; Sarmiento 835) √ WEDNESDAYS 10.30-12.30 (Lib. KEL; M.T. de Alvear 1369)
Di$count$ for Members • British Arts Centre (BAC) offers a 50% discount on their play tickets, and a 25% global discount for groups of students accompanied by an APIBA member. • The National Resources Centre and AACI’s General English Library offer 25% discounts on memberships • Julia Bowland's Escuela de Radio y Comunicación offers a 20% discount on all regular courses. Information available from www.bowland.com.ar To claim these benefits, bring along your membership card and your receipt for the current year.
A P I BA A n n u a l S e m i n a r 2 0 0 3 S PARE
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Our Annual Seminar, which will be held on October 18 from 9.00 to 3.30 at ISP "Joaquín V. González" (Rivadavia 3577, Buenos Aires city), aims at the discussion of how adolescents and adults learn English as a FL and how EFL teachers approach the teaching and testing of the phonological, lexical and grammatical systems of the English language as well as the development of language skills. And what a lineup have we gathered for the ocasion! Plenarists: Jorge Ghenadenik (SLT: the state of the art), Silvia Stagnaro & Corine Arguimbau (Evaluation). Workshop leaders: Mónica Gandolfo (How to help our students learn Vocabulary); Fernanda Velázquez & Nibia Yermos (The Grammar Experience: making it an appetizing treat!); Elizabeth White (Integrated Skills:Weaving one Activity into the Next); Gustavo González (Self-Motivation: the Best Way to Become a Resourceful Teacher). We are looking forward to this relevant, challenging and motivating group of workshops, which will be an opportunity to revise some of the timeless and never-quite-worked-out issues of ELT. After all, can you ever know too much about how our students' mind works? Can we ever be too good at our job?