Dear readers, colleagues and friends,

here is the first spring issue of the year. The cultural topic of April 2008 is Canada, as one of the English-speaking countries we present you each month. This country of diversity and multiculturalism lends itself very well to various classroom activities, from fun quizzes to class projects, from colouring activities with young learners to research and presentations with teenagers. The maple leaf in the photo features 11 points - so are our professional skills and possibilities diverse and multiple.

A big Thanks to all who have showen interest in the Newsletter, whether while it was still 'under construction', or by reading it. My special gratitude goes to the ones who helped me prepare this issue. My sincere apologies for unintentional mistakes I might have made presenting Canada.

As always, the Editorial team is looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Happy Easter and have a nice spring holiday!

on behalf of the Editorial team

Maja Hadzic

To the Editor

We would hereby like to thank all the contributors and encourage them, and all of you, to continue making our newsletter and magazine fantastic as it is!

You can take part, as well, and share your thoughts with us! Send us your comments and suggestions – here are some guidelines to help you:

1.What are your favourite sections of Newsletter / MELT and why?

2.What do you think about this issue?

3.Any further comments or ideas regarding Newsletter / MELT?

The editors are happy to receive all your suggestions and articles at melt@elta.org.yu

Read the guidelines and fill in the form.

Do you know who is who in ELTA?

A Word from the Editors
Why am I an editor?

7th-11th April 2008, Exeter
42nd Annual International IATEFL Conference & Exhibition
IATEFL’s conference in Exeter next year promises to be every bit as exciting as previous conferences. Plenary Speakers are Rosa Shim, Zoltan Dörnyei, Alastair Pennycook and Radmila Popovic. We plan to provide you with a Devon flavour and a very memorable experience.

We should also mention that Exeter Online will be available including an 'Exeter Blog' - http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/exeter2008blog

Please check the IATEFL website for any further information: http://www.iatefl.org/content/conferences/2008/index.php

24th-27th April 2008, Sibenik, Croatia
16th Annual HUPE IATEFL / TESOL Conference
Plenary Speakers are: Agnes Enyedi, Glynn Kirkham, Michael McCarthy and Visnja Pavicic Takac.
Further information, registration and speaker proposal forms are available on HUPE’s website www.hupe.hr

10th – 11th May 2008, Sofia
17TH  National  BETA-IATEFL Conference   
Sofia University, Department of Information and In-Service Training of Teachers
A broad range of topics will be covered including Teacher Training, Teacher Development, Mentoring, Teaching Young Learners, ESP, Testing, Teaching Literature, English Across Curriculum, Cultural Studies and many others.

Conference fees, application and speaker proposal forms as well as information about accommodation facilities will be available by mid February on the following address: www.beta-iatefl.org.
For further information about the conference please contact us at: Beta.iateflbg@gmail.com

30th May- 1st June, Belgrade
6th IATEFL ELTA Conference
The Classroom That Beats the Odds
The Conference will provide English language teachers from various countries with another opportunity to share how they cope with everyday challenges when teaching English.

As always, the Conference will be a great opportunity to hear many wide-known methodologists and book authors.

Further information, registration and speaker proposal forms are available on ELTA’s website www.elta.org.yu

For more details contact: office@elta.org.yu or ConferenceManager@elta.org.yu

23rd May- 25th May, Dublin
Academic Management: Establishing and Sustaining a Learning Culture
Featured speakers: Liam Brown, Jenny Johnson, Tony Humphreys, George Pickering
This conference aims to provide a forum for exploring how to establish excellent academic management skills and systems. We also aim to stimulate discussion and reflection on what factors go towards establishing and sustaining a learning culture in the language teaching organisation.

Themes:

•Leading and managing teams

•Motivating teachers

•Appraisals, observations, feedback

Papers, presentations and workshops are invited which will provide a variety of perspectives on the above themes. If you would like to present, then please complete the attached form or email Jenny Johnson on info@cactustefl.com for more information.

3rd October- 5th October 2008, Balatonfured
18th IATEFL Hungary Conference
We would like to inform you that our annual conference is to be held in Balatonfüred on 3-5 October 2008. The main focus of the event will be the Current Approaches and Future Trends in English Language Education.

The deadline for submitting speaker proposals and early registration is 31st March 2008. All conference documents are available on our website at www.iatefl.hu.

We hope this new date will allow you enough time to consider attending our 18th annual conference as a presenter or as a participant in October in Balatonfüred. We hope that you will take note of this event, participate in it, and make it as widely known as possible.

Canada ID
by Maja Hadzic
A country of diversity and multiculturalism, Canada has a lot to offer.
Read the whole article (MS Word 1.35MB)

Brief Canadian History Timeline
by Maja Hadzic
Find out what important moments are Canadians proud of.
Read the whole article(MS Word 91.5KB)

Canadian Holidays
by Maja Hadzic
Although living in a multicultural society, they all celebrate same national holidays with joy and sense of belonging.
Read the whole article(MS Word 138KB)

Significant Canadian Facts
by Vladimir Siroki
Canada is the second biggest country in the world, and Canadians can be proud of some of the most amazing facts.
Read the whole article(MS Word 188KB)

Getting along with the Canadians
by Vladimir Siroki
Here is a short list of ‘dos and don’ts’, i.e. a short article about general characteristics of the Canadians.
Read the whole article(MS Word 36KB)

Introduction to Internet based learning and teaching
by Jaroslav Krajka
Usually, the Internet is used as a source of materials, as a basis for some language work or skills focus, and Internet websites are used instead of coursebook materials.
Read the whole article (MS Word 44KB)

Internet Lesson Plans
by Jaroslav Krajka
A step-by-step plan to make you feel safe when you try out Internet-based teaching.
Read the whole article (MS Word 78KB)

One-to-one teaching: Short tips
by Maja Hadzic
It may seem that preparing one-to-one lessons is a waste of time. Being well-prepared is a must for every teacher, whether there is only one or 31 students.
Read the whole article (MS Word 48.5KB )

Using humour in the primary classroom
by Valentina Kikerkova
Humour helps students to reduce barriers, increase networking potential, inspire positive attitudes, building positive relationships, refresh the mind, after “serious activity” and release stress.
Read the whole article (MS Word 104B )

Being a teacher – a normal thing to do - Interview with Tim Ward
by Maja Hadzic
Although being in this line of job for quite a few years now, Tim Ward shows immense enthusiasm in giving presentations and workshops. Reading this interview might give some teachers additional motivation in future work.
Read the whole article (MS Word 92KB)

The media – what to do with them
by Nikolina Tsvetkova
Some ideas for using media texts in the EFL classroom to develop intercultural communication skills.
Read the whole article (MS Word 57.5KB)

Roll the dice
from www.developingteachers.com
Read the whole article (MS Word 25KB)

Poetic recipes
by John Rogers
Here’s a simple, unassuming one that I first did as a workshop participant a few years ago, and have had the chance to try out successfully in my own classroom since.
Read the whole article (MS Word 39KB)

Easter reading
by Jo Budden from www.teachingenglish.org
This is a simple reading task on the theme of Easter in the UK. It helps students learn about how this  time is celebrated in the UK and reflect on special occasions in their own culture.
Read the whole article (MS Word 29.5KB)

CLIL Lesson Plan – Vancouver from BBC for Teachers
Read the whole article (pdf 74KB)

Easter classroom activities for young learners
by Maja Hadzic
Easter is the time of joy. Make children feel special on the day when they do some Easter activities with you. All these games can be played either in the school yard or in the classroom
Read the whole article (MS Word 117KB)

A cup of coffee with two dear Canadians
by Vladimir Siroki
I talked to my lifelong friends Ivona and Aleksandar Mašić, who I have known for about twenty years and who I have spent many marvelous moments with. They moved to Canada.
Read the whole article (MS Word 207KB)

Interesting facts about Canada
by Maja Hadzic
Flags of territories and provinces, Famous inventions, Canada from A-Z, The Aboriginal people of Canada, Canadian Nobel Prize Winners
Read the whole article (MS Word 117KB)

Behave yourself in Canada
by Tatjana Glusac
Do you know Canadian etiquette?
Read the whole article (MS Word 181KB)

Test your knowledge of Canada
by Tatjana Glusac
Take this short and fun quiz and check what you know!
Read the whole article (MS Word 68.5KB)

What English means to me
by Nevena Markovic
Read the whole article (MS Word 24.5KB)

Intercultural learning
by Chris Rose from www.teachingenelgish.org
This article deals with the topic of intercultural awareness and learning. The first part sets out the methodological background to this topic, and the second part offers practical suggestions for the classroom.
Read the whole article (MS Word 43KB)

Maple syrup
by Vladimir Siroki
Not a recipe this time! Find out something about this world-famous Canadian product.
Read the whole article (MS Word 167KB)