A Visual Guide to Building Teachers

English Language Office together with Associations and REPETITOR Multimedia have created a DVD-ROM “A Visual Guide to Building Teachers’ Associations”. The “visual” aspect of the Guide consists of film clips, Power Point files, and photos and gives you a “visual” feel for the work of teachers’ associations in Russia. As the famous Russian proverb puts it, “It is better to see one time than to hear 100 times.”  The 12 films of the DVD-Roms will allow you to listen to the Ambassador’s Speech at the opening of the last NATE Conference, to “be present” at workshops of outstanding Specialists and Fellows, to listen to plenary presentations of renown Russian specialist.  Texts and additional documents supplement the visuals and provide a background or additional detail.  The Guide’s goals are to showcase the history and current activities of teachers’ associations, highlight the range of support mechanisms available to all associations, and provide step-by-step instructions for those who wish to join an association or establish an association in a city or region that does not yet have an association.  The DVD-Roms will be distributed for free at various ELT events. You can get access to the Internet version of the Visual Guide if you click on this link http://www.vg.lingvograd.ru/

Here is David Fay's Introduction to this Project:

"Dear English Language Teachers and Enthusiasts,
The English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy is happy to share with you “A Visual Guide to Building Teachers’ Associations.”  It is a tool designed for Teacher Association members and officers who would like to know how to improve programming and build membership; it is also a tool for enthusiastic English language teachers who would like to begin their own association or chapter.  Finally, it is a resource for teachers, administrators or Ministry officials who would like to better understand how an association works and what it tries to accomplish.

The DVD is indeed a “visual” guide.  It contains dozens of video clips that showcase association activities and allow a viewer to listen to experts in the field talk about their experience with associations.  It also contains a photo album showing several years worth of work by associations around the country.

To make the most out of the DVD, read the introduction carefully.  It also helps to use the DVD while connected to the Internet so that you can visit other sites that are highlighted in the text. 

As a product of our office, there is no copyright on this DVD.  In fact, we encourage you to make copies of it for your colleagues. 

The English Language Office fully understands the important role Teachers’ Associations play in supporting the professional development of English teachers across the country.  The Visual Guide is one small step toward further supporting the effort of so many outstanding instructors who volunteer their time and energy in order to build stronger communities of practice.

Regards,

David Fay, English Language Officer for the Russian Federation"