Wednesday 26 February 2014

Meet the interviewers!


It all began two days ago when I nominated Julia for a Blog Challenge. She sent me a message that she is not a blogger but she would gladly answer my questions; I could post them in my blog. Then I came up with the idea to use her answers for my first post for TESOL Convention blog. After all, it is a blog, isn't it? That would be a change and fun! Like the tables have turned and the interviewees take the role of the TESOL Convention reporters !
However, I first asked Elinda Gjondedaj, one of the administrators of the blog, whether all this complies with the TG posting by-laws. Since she assured me that it is fine, I proudly present you the one and only Julia Aliverti! My questions are quite tough and she has proved that teachers are brave and accept challenges!!!

So here are the questions and Julia's responses:

1. What did you want to become when you were a child?
When I was a child, I was convinced by my father that I was princess and I didn't see any point in becoming anything else.
2. Why have you become a teacher?
As soon as I started school, I knew I had to become a teacher; I felt that it was the only thing I wanted to do and my only hope was that I would be able to do it well. I remember studying my lessons trying to figure out not how to learn them, but how to teach them, if- for some unidentified reason- I was asked to do so the following day.
3. Have you ever regretted becoming a teacher?
Never. Being a teacher is part of what I am; not part of what I do.
4. You avoid people who...?
I think I will start avoiding people who take me for granted.
5. Tell us about your biggest dream.
My biggest dream is that our children will live in a better world than the one we have now and that I'll have the chance to travel to most of its places.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Blue. All shades of blue; it's the colour of the sea, with which I have a very strong bond.
7. Which city would you like to visit?
This is the most difficult question of this interview for me; I can't choose just one; there are cities I always want to return to and cities that have been calling me for years and I haven't had the chance to visit; also, there are cities I have been avoiding for very personal reasons, about which I have started to feel very differently...So, I will not try to decide today.
8. What is your favourite piece of clothing?
My swimsuit
9. Have you ever cheated on a test?
No, never. It would feel like trying to fool myself
10. Describe your desk.
Wooden, handmade, overlooking the sea, hospitable, and therefore, rather crowded :)
11. Who is your favourite character either in a book or movie?
Alexis Zorbas

In the end she thanked me for the opportunity I gave her to contemplate certain facts about herself!
 Well, Julia, it has been my honour that you took the time, sat down and answered all these questions from your heart! 

Monday 24 February 2014

Another 11 Blog Challenge

There is another 11 Blog Challenge for which I was nominated by my new FB friend and colleague Malefaki Joanna. I can't wait to meet her and so many others in TESOL Greece Convention in Athens! Both of us are having a presentation there.

How this works:
1. I need to acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. I share 11 random facts about myself.
3. I must answer the questions the blogger who nominated me asked.
4. I will list 11 other bloggers
5. I post eleven questions for the bloggers I nominated. I must let the bloggers know that they have been nominated (that actually took some time) and I cannot nominate the person who nominated me.

I took all this information from Joanna's blog.

This time I thought to use another way to list 11 random facts about me... So here you are...
vI love the sun
vI respect nature…and animals
vI can’t stand lies and hypocrisy
vI suffer if I can’t keep a promise
vI can’t resist chocolate
vI love people with new ideas
vI love talking with hours with friends and I really miss it
vI can’t stand anything that crawls, literally and metaphorically
vI prefer theatre to movies
vI get easily stressed

vI wish I were more confident

And now the moment of truth.... Joanna's questions...
1.  Describe a good teaching experience you have had.
A good experience was when I participated with my students in a project run by Theodora
Papapanagiotou. Very refreshing and promising. It was the first time I had prepared,
organised and carried out a project.
2. Describe a difficult teaching experience you have had.
It was at the beginning of my teaching career. There was a teenage student who didn't want
to cooperate at all and always tried to mess the class.
3. Do you have a teaching mentor? If yes, can you tell me how this person has affected
your teaching?
Unfortunately, I don't. But I have met so many inspiring and motivating colleagues online
and in person that I think I will make up for all past years.
4. Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
Hopefully, still teaching and participating in TESOL Conventions.
5. How do you deal with students who dominate the sessions?
I try to use their energy and eagerness by having them help the other students.
6. How do you deal with introvert students?
First, I give them time to feel confident and talk about topics and matters that interest them.
Then I have them work in pairs with peers they feel comfortable with and friendlier to. 
7. How much time do you spend on you work and how much on your personal life?
At first, I used to give all my energy to my work. Now, I have realised that there should be a
balance and try to spend some time doing things that please me, mostly at weekends.
Saturday evenings are sacred!
8. If you won 1 million euros, how would you spend it?
Honestly? I would travel!
9. What's your favourite food?
Anything that has to do with potatoes and mushrooms!
10. What do you hate doing around the house?
Ironing!
11. Describe your ideal day.
Spending it with people I love outdoors from dusk to dawn.
The questions I have for the bloggers I nominate are:
1. What did you want to become when you were a child?
2. Why have you become a teacher?
3. Have you ever regretted becoming a teacher?
4. You avoid people who...?
5. Tell us about your biggest dream.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
7. Which city would you like to visit?
8. What is your favourite piece of clothing?
9. Have you ever cheated on a test?
10. Describe your desk.
11. Who is your favourite character either in a book or movie?
The bloggers I nominate are:
1. Vicky Papageorgiou
2. Julia Aliverti
3. Theodora Papapanagiotou
4. Maria Bossa
5. Hana Ticha
6. Roseli Serra
7. Aphro Gkiouris
8. Christina Markoulaki
9. Papadeli Sophia
10. Natasa Bozic Grojic
11. Nora Touparlaki