ANNUAL CONFERENCE:  Dates - 17^th and 18^th of September, 2021. 

I can confirm that the conference will be an on-line one, with IATEFL having its IT studio based in Warsaw. So, you will again get the chance to attend many talks, workshops, speaking contest presentations, and live lessons, from the comfort of your homes, over two very full days. Also, as most sessions are recorded, you will later, at your own convenience, be able to see those sessions you missed! It’s tremendous value, enabling you to build up a mega portfolio of resources for the next school year. Previous experience suggests that we can expect to be able to offer a big choice of up to 10 presentations, per hour. We also provide coverage of major areas, such as:  Young Learners, CLIL, Global Issues, Business English, the 4 Skills – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, IT techniques, Culture, Advanced English, Grammar, Communications, Vocabulary, Games, Psychology, and Motivation. As I have declared many times before, we offer “something for everyone!”

Publishers will also be in attendance, as always, providing you with details of their latest books and resources, and ready to converse with you, as well as answer your queries/requests, and take your orders for their materials. They usually offer good promotional offers at the conference, too.

CONFERENCE THEME:  ‘The Human Dimension’……

A very apt choice this year, as we look increasingly at the importance of relationships between teachers and students, which is a trend arising from the on-line learning process. Related areas such as Motivation and Teacher-Student interactions are certainly important topics, worthy of closer examination. We hope to develop and extend teachers’ expertise in meeting the needs of their students, with presentations matching the requirements of our theme. We should also think of the future and help prepare teachers for a return to face-to-face teaching.

CALL FOR PAPERS:

The facility to submit your presentation topics is now open. Go to the main website and look for the conference links, and then fill in the on-line Speaker’s proposal form…  https://iatefl.org.pl/conference/index.php?a=login. Please note that your submission will not necessarily be accepted, as we usually receive more submissions than we need. We also wish to see some close connection with the conference theme, and feel strongly that one element that has been difficult to deal with, during the pandemic, has been the area of personal interaction. Language is a collaborative activity that can only be effective together with other people. Students’ motivation, for instance, can suffer when they spend their time isolated in front of their computer screens. So, do bear this requirement of ours in mind when deciding on what topic to submit, and look to involve psychological factors. We will look favourably on those submissions that meet the thematic criteria.

Final deadline for proposals is: the 10^th of June. Confirmations of acceptance will be sent out by June the 28^th.

Submissions from first-time speakers and young teachers will be welcome, and they will be offered a mentoring scheme. For details on that, contact the Organising Committee: conference@iatefl.org.pl

CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTS: 

Another requirement for the conference is that those who submit proposals, put their ideas/plans into writing, for publication in our on-line Post-Conference Journal. This means that all IATEFL members will get the chance to read what you present at the conference, a few months after the event. It’s a great opportunity to  enhance your CV by having your work published, and share your words of wisdom with all our members. Logically, if you prepare a transcript for your webinar/talk/workshop, you should be easily able to prepare an article outlining your ideas in a structured form, normally 3-4 sides of A4, with or without visuals. When you send me your journal article, (Word for Windows), please include a bio-pic (approx. 80 words), and a passport-sized photo. Do not send PDFs, as they cannot be edited. Articles, bios, and photos should be sent to me (newsletter@iatefl.org.pl) by September the 10^th, 2021.

PRESENTATION OPTIONS: 

PLENARY (60 mins.);  TALK (60 or 40 mins.); WORKSHOP (60 or 40 mins.); LESSON (60or 40 mins.) – N.B. Lessons are conducted with real learners (various age groups) and are observed by conference delegates, who offer feedback when the lessons have concluded. Finally, the last listed option is: ADVANCED LESSONS FOR TEACHERS (60 or 40 mins.) – where you can help delegates to polish up their English!

SPEAKERS:

It is ‘early days’ yet  for us to announce who will be presenting at the conference. You can check for the latest news, via the main website, or via the conference link related to speakers and their bio-pics. Rest assured, there will be the usual top-quality ‘regulars’, as well as new and up-and-coming presenters. The publishing companies decide which of their authors to send to the conference, and do so, a bit nearer to September.

CONFERENCE FEES:

IATEFL members: 250 zł (early payment – by 20/8);
310 zł  (late payment by 15/9).

Non-IATEFL members: 320 zł  - (early payment);
380 zł   (late payment).

Following very generous rates last year, the fees have risen in 2021, but this is necessary, because the pandemic has so badly affected revenue streams. The fees are certainly representative of the market, and the value for money for two full days is still excellent, when you consider that many good-quality presentations will be available.

KEY CONTACT E-MAIL:       conference@iatefl.org.pl

Go to the main website:  www.iatefl.org.pl   to register for the conference, and get up-dated information.

OTHER NEWS: 

AGM: On the 22^nd of May, IATEFL Poland will be holding its Annual General Meeting at 5pm, on Zoom. Please register for the event – https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsdu6trz0jEt3Z9h_VnNUgYCy_SwSLKexR

‘Public Speaking Contest’: We have just received confirmation that Łódź will be holding its regional final on June the 8^th at 12.00 (on-line: Zoom). If you are interested in a late application for your school, no matter what city, contact Anna Rogalewicz-Gałucka, (office@iatefl.org.pl)  for further details, and contact details to the appropriate regional organiser, or alternatively, check our main website.

‘SOL Festival’: SOL = (Sharing One Language) is a Devon-based charity organisation, with a fine track record in delivering high-class summer school courses. IATEFL Poland has been co-operating with SOL for over ten years, and ironically, both bodies are celebrating their 30^th anniversaries this year. As a result, SOL is presenting a Festival in May and June, with many top speakers contributing 70+ webinars or radio talks.  Geoff Tranter and Marta Bujakowska will take part in the event, representing IATEFL Poland, and presenting their webinars on June the 5^th – (Geoff), and June the 19^th – (Marta). Other top figures coming to the Festival include:  Jeremy Harmer, Alan Pulverness, Philip Kerr, Susan Holden, Ken Wilson, Mark Andrews, Sylvie Dolakova, and David Fisher. Click on these links for more details:  www.sol.org.uk/news/sols-30th-anniversary-programme-for-may-and-june   and  www.justgiving.com/campaign/SOL2021

BESIG ONE-DAY CONFERENCE:   JUNE 2021.

After some technical problems led to the cancellation of the IATEFL Poland BESIG One-day Conference in May, a newly-arranged Joint BESIG on-line event has been set up for Saturday June the 12^th, starting at 9.30. IATEFL BESIG AND IATEFL Poland BESIG will present an impressive programme, with speakers including the likes of: Rob Howard, Ron Mukerji, Geoff Tranter, Lucyna Wilinkiewicz-Górniak, Kasia Warszyńska, and Andrzej Stęsik. For all BE enthusiasts, it is a must! Check on the link for the scheduled programme.

****IATEFL Poland’s 30th Anniversary:   Special interview – Danusia Sołtyska…

Danusia recently brought to a halt her long term of office as Treasurer, and has since switched her role to serving on the Review Committee. Here is her perspective on IATEFL Poland’s 30 years of existence, and how she coped with her demanding financial post. It is probably no exaggeration to say IATEFL Poland would not be in existence today, but for her financial acumen. Here are her answers to ten interview questions:-

1. How long have you been involved with IATEFL Poland, and what stirred your interest in the Association?

I was involved from the very beginning, i.e. from the founding meeting in Warsaw in 1991. I can’t remember who told me about the meeting, but the only people I knew, I met there, my friends Ania Gwardyś, and Prof. Jan Rusiecki, the supervisor of my Master’s thesis at the University of Warsaw. I had just become Head of the Foreign Language Centre at Warsaw University of Technology, which proved to be a very challenging and difficult position. I was the Head of WUT ELC for 21years. I realised how such an organisation was useful for teachers.

2. You are famous within the world of ELT in Poland for being IATEFL’s Treasurer. When did you start and finish this role?

In the late ‘nineties, when Ania Gwardyś became the Vice-President of IATEFL, she persuaded me to join the board, which proved to be another challenge in my life. These two roles, i.e. ELC at WUT and IATEFL PL  were both parallel and very stressful, as well as time-consuming. At first, I could perform them mainly thanks to my family, especially my husband who became a person strongly involved in IATEFL PL. Without his support, I wouldn’t have been able to go on for such a long time.

I finished my long stint as treasurer (21+ years) on January the 1^st, 2021, after several attempts to find someone to take over earlier. I think that the pandemic-based world we are now in, with less financial hassle, is, ironically, a good time to learn how to do this tiresome job. I can also find more time to support the new treasurer (Ania Gębka-Suska) with my vast experience.

3. Do you regret having such a role for so long?  What other role would you have liked?

I never regretted working for IATEFL PL, and I am still active as a member of the Review Committee. At one stage, I desperately needed a break in my professional and private life, and for 3 years, Kasia Andrzejewska, from Poznań, took over, but then she gave up and once again, I was persuaded to continue. It has always been a ‘love-hate’ activity, but is also a ‘hobby’, as our current President, Andrzej Obstawski, calls our involvement in IATEFL PL. As volunteers, the joy of working with people for people is something you cannot over-estimate.

I would have liked to have been the Secretary or even the President, but during elections, there were candidates for those positions, but hardly anyone willing to cope with finances, whilst I enjoy dealing with them with my organised and structured mind.

4. What’s your opinion regarding the financial regulations relating to non-profit-making organisations? Have they been helpful and constructive, or rather a ‘millstone around the neck’, and why?

They have always been, and still are, a pain in the neck. We are often treated like a typical profit-making company. We had to fight fiscal institutions for several years, when they made us pay VAT for our conferences, all because our national regulations do not follow European ones. We failed with the financial institutions, even though we won in court! However, we were lucky to have an accountant, who understood the differences between an association and a regular enterprise, and she tried to help us in any difficult situation. My WUT and IATEFL roles also helped me learn about finances, and in the past, CODN (Centralny Ośrodek Doskonalenia Nauczycieli) organised some invaluable training programmes, to aid us in our running of such organisations.

5. In terms of your role as treasurer, what have been the most frustrating and pleasing parts of the job?

Constant changing of different state regulations was very frustrating, as they meant we had to change our procedures, forms, instructions, and how to deal with new regulations. My duties with WUT and IATEFL sometimes overlapped, and it was difficult to cope with the overload of work, tensions, and stress, they brought.

Often, things had to be done immediately, they could not be postponed. When you added family problems, small children, and health issues into the mix, it became truly unbearable, but I could never keep people waiting – things had to be sorted out fluently, and on time.

The most pleasing parts were constant contact with people, looking for ways how to solve problems, and people’s appreciation of my work. I used to be a very shy person, and IATEFL taught me to gain confidence. It also provided me with excellent language practice, not only for my teaching, but also for management.

6. What would you say has been your greatest achievement as treasurer?

I had to start ‘from scratch’, there were no regulations, no documents. I had to work them out and put them to use. Issues were sorted out efficiently and promptly, as a result.

7. What has been your favourite IATEFL ‘moment’?

Meeting friends and strangers at our conferences. I often know their names, and they know mine, and the smiles of recognition that follow are very pleasing. It’s also great to meet known authors and other ELT professionals, see and hear them, often talk to them.

8. What has been your favourite IATEFL Poland Conference, and why?

Kielce – my first conference.  I knew almost nobody on arrival, and met lots of people, ideas, solutions, etc. The two conferences in Warsaw at WUT were very satisfying, too. People still remember Maryla Rodowicz singing in Duża Aula. A couple of conferences in Great Britain were also memorable – larger than ours with a different flavour, but interesting from the point of view of what I could learn, and also what I could see.

9. Who would you name as the three most influential figures in IATEFL’S existence, and why?

Prof. Jan Rusiecki – our model, pacifier of emotions, and just a caring friend.

Ania Gwardyś – in the past was very active, and she helped us develop contacts with the British Council.

Ela Jarosz – wise, always smiling, helpful, involved, and a good friend.

***Danusia also mentioned Marzena Rączkowska and Bożena Czarniak as other major contributors.

 10. How do you perceive the future of IATEFL Poland?

I hope we will survive these difficult times: pandemic, and increasing competition with professional organisations. What we need is more ‘fresh blood’, more enthusiasts to take over. We keep looking for new ideas, solutions, people to join our activities. The problem is that people often pay and expect to be served, not realising we are an association of enthusiasts.

Thank you, Danusia, for sharing your perspectives, so openly with us.