RELO AMMAN NOMINEES FOR TESOL 2003 CONVENTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001462 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR STATE ECA/A/L/W KERR/JENSON, NEA/PPD MACINNES/BOURGEOIS JERUSALEM FOR PAO HUNTER, CAA MARROUM AND ACC CA STEIN BEIRUT FOR PAO PUTNAM AND PAA BITAR DAMASCUS FOR PAO DIBBLE, CAO SCHAPIRO, AND CAS ADWAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC SCUL JO SUBJECT: RELO AMMAN NOMINEES FOR TESOL 2003 CONVENTION IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, MARCH 24-29, 2003 REF: SECSTATE ¶1. Amman-based Regional English Language Office (RELO) would like to nominate the following nominees: Ms. Shireen Bawab from East Jerusalem, Mr. Abdul Bari Muhajer from Aleppo, and Ms. Samia Abou Hamad from Beirut to attend the TESOL 2003 convention in Baltimore, Maryland, March 24-30, 2003. ¶2. MS. SHIREEN BAWAB - EAST JERUSALEM. Ms. Bawab is one of the leading English as a Second Language (ESL) professional in East Jerusalem. Because of the unique situation of schools in East Jerusalem, Ms. Bawab works closely with Arab sector of Israeli Ministry of Education and the PA Ministry of Education. The Public Affairs sections of both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem support her nomination. Ms. Bawab has extensive knowledge and experience in teacher preparation (pre-service) and teacher development (in-service) and teacher mentoring at David Yellin College of Education and the Hebrew University. In addition, she has participated in research projects in English language teaching innovation, assessment and evaluation and the use of new technologies at Bethlehem University. In addition to her 20 years of ESL experience, she has also taught history and music and coordinated special events at the College des Freres in East Jerusalem. ¶3. MR. ABDUL BRAI MUHAMMAD MUHAJER MEEN - SYRIA. Mr. Muhajer is a senior inspector in the Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education, Aleppo, Syria to attend the TESOL 2003. He has been instrumental in facilitating the work of the RELO in the training of secondary English teachers in the Aleppo Directorate. With nearly 30 years of experience in EFL he has taught in the classroom, supervised and evaluated teachers, and is currently responsible for the day to day management of over 300 teachers in his district. In this key position he is responsible for carrying out the national curriculum, making sure that his teacher follow the prescribed methodology, and upgrading the skills of his teachers. The amount of training available to him in Syria has been minimal. He does attend the national conferences and has participated in training sessions organized by both the British Council and the American language center, but he has relied on his own initiative and resources to carry out his responsibilities. These efforts have earned the respect and admiration of the teachers, university professor, and ministry officials. Attending TESOL will enable him to expand his network of resources, deepen his own understanding of theory and methodology and gain first hand knowledge of life in the United States. The multiplier effect of his trip will be immediate and far-reaching. He is an ideal candidate for this program. ¶4. MS. SAMYA ABOU HAMAD - LEBANON. Ms. Abou Hamad is the Head of the English Department of the Educational Center of Research and Development, Ministry of Education, Lebanon to attend TESOL 2003. Ms. Abou Hamad has the following responsibilities: ¶A. Curriculum Development i. Coordinator and General Executive for Curricula design for Basic Education and Secondary Education in Lebanon. ii. Curricula design coordinator for Normal Schools (teacher training institutions) in Lebanon. iii. General Executive of the National Textbook Project Series in Lebanon (Teacher's Guide, student's book and workbooks, Grades 1 through 12). ¶B. Evaluation and Curriculum Development. i. Member of the Official Examination Committee in Lebanon for the Grade 9 official certificate and the Grade 12 official certificate. ii. English Language Coordinator of the Evaluation Committee at the CERD. ¶C. Teacher Preparation and Teacher Development i. Coordinator of the In-Service Training Program for English Language teachers in both the public and private sectors ii. ESP Coordinator and Instructor at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the Lebanese University iii. Coordinator of English Language Methodology books for students' teachers at the normal schools in Lebanon. Because of these responsibilities and the fact the Ms. Abou Hamad never has been to the States, her attendance of TESOL will be a tremendous step in professional development. ¶5. ECA/A/L/W support is appreciated. GEHNEM