hornbyboy

Global citizens,

Welcome to the first HSS participant-produced blog on Day III sessions of our professional development school in Sorocaba, Brazil. This morning was a special one indeed for two reasons:Number 1, it´s Sergio´s 26th birthday, which means that our official trouble-maker is not to be scolded; Number 2, we were blessed with two subsequent powercuts at get-up time which, after the fashion of naming twisters in the USA, have come to be called “Rise-and-Shine Blackout” and “Wake-Up Powercut”. Thank God there was a warm sun to light up our bedrooms for us to clean our teeth!!!

Pre-breakfast activities included some trekking, swimming and/or horse-riding for some, sleeping in for others, and reading for the more academically-committed. Breakfast was more than plentiful, as usual- with many sleepy faces from last evening´s Game-the-Night-Away Social Programme organised by the Fun Committee.

Now, a few words about what we are REALLY here for … The first session kicked off at 9,10 with Margit and David making some announcements, such as TroubleMaker´s B-Day and homework-setting on Collaborative Reflection Questionnaire for the 4:30 meeting. Right after that, we had Vanessa, who started her session with a warmer about the Global Issues and Perspectives Strand. Dominant Perspectives on ELT in school brought about a discussion on the topic of Ideal and Real Systems, which prompted a first-time opportunity for absolutely everybody to make their voices heard by playing specific roles. Seating arrangement and air con were superb, and so was the food at breaktime – not too little, not too much (which is good for our Pitangueiras diet!).

Participants had a chance to visit our International Exhibition of clothing, food and other local stuff in the room next door, which were contributed by Hornbies from different countries.

 At about 10:30 we had the pleasure of listening to Lynn Mario´s presentation on The Role of Language and Critical Literacy, which took us on a highly interesting journey through concepts such as the Native Speaker myth (as opposed to “the native that speaks”) and the Myth of Modernity. This first part on “Provincialising the Universal/Global” has led some HSS enthusiasts to set up a new Myths-Buster Committee, probably to be presided by Isa Solano. Lynn Mario also explored critical literacy through the pedagogies of Reading, Interpretation and Criticism.

 12:30: Lunch time at laaaaassssssttttt!!!! We had a nice opportunity to pig out on Serginho´s b-day cake and show up at 14:30 with chocolate smudges on our mouths. WARNING!!! Sara had to politely remind us that “time is slipping” and that we should be punctual – SESSIONS START ON THE DOT. Those who do not comply with this rule are to be severely punished by the Master of Pain.

 Vanessa started her second session with a visualisation activity, this time inviting participants to imagine that we had some colour cellophane paper in our hands and to put it in our eyes so that we could see the picture of a multi-legged white elephant. This went to show that human perception is influenced by the “lenses” or point of view each person and culture carries with them. We talked about the implications and opportunies for ELT Dominant Market and were allowed 30 minutes to discuss the topic in small groups. Later, we had our last session of the day about Action Research with David, which left the participants willing to explore the topic further.

 Now we gotta rush for, as President and Vice-President of the Fun Committe respectively, we are to organize the Acqua-Splash Olympic Games in the heated pool by the bar. We are sorry to say that Hornbies who decided to go to Sorocaba will miss the opportunity to go Hornby-dipping with us!!! Stay tuned

C ya soon!

Hornbyboy & Hornbygirl

(Serginho & Gilmarinha)