Qatar is getting HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Qatar is Getting HOT, HOT, HOT!!! 

Qatar is Getting Hotter (and It’s Not the Weather!)

If you love the United Arab Emirates (and I really love the annual Shopping Fesitval in Dubai!) then you are in for a treat when you discover the peninsula state of Qatar.

Qatar might have been one of the poorest Gulf States half a century ago, but since the discovery of oil in the 1940s it is a thriving and vibrant country.  The Qatari economy has doubled at least 10 times in the past 14 years, and it is actually positioned to become one of the global energy giants in the next few years.

International teachers will find that Qatar is full of excitement yet has a welcoming, traditional feel to it.  From the Pearl Qatar in Doha to a sportsman dreamscape, Qatar has it all!

Qatar’s rich history, which dates as far back as 6,000 B.C., is founded in the ancient art of pearl diving.  The ancient souks call to you with glimmering gold and wafting scents of Arabic coffee.  The art of falconry is on display in the desert and traditional sailing vessels called dhows coast along the sparkling waters. 

Make no mistake though.  Qatar is set to be a dominant world force in this century!

Luxury living is widely available in and near the capital of Doha.  Pearl-Qatar is an island built on one of those sites and features villas, marinas, international fashion shops and 5 star accommodations for the traveller who understands true luxury.

For weekend and evening excitement, you don’t have to look far.  In and around the capital city of Doha are horse and camel racing tracks, sand dune racing, and all types of water sports. For all the Villa fans (or Man United if you must), Khalifa International Stadium where you can watch major football (soccer) teams from around the world take on each other in a spectacular desert setting.

And in case you haven’t heard, the World Cup 2022 will be in Qatar.  More than $20 billion USD has been earmarked to build the luxury tourist infrastructure required to build 5 star accommodations, resorts and other recreational facilities.

It’s not just about tourism though.  Qatar has strategically staged itself as a world leader in environmental technologies.  The Qatar International Environment Protection Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition Center shows Qatar’s commitment to using sustainable energy and green business practices very seriously, with a focus on educating the community.

There is also the Doha Furniture and Decoration Exhibition each fall that hosts more than 12 countries with designer showcases in furniture, design and accessories.  Perhaps you can pick up some tips to use next time you are haggling over a silk Persian rug at the Qatar International Carpet Exhibition in March!

Love movies?  Try the Doha Tribeca Film Festival this October.  Rub shoulders with local celebrities and take in some emerging indy flicks.   Pick up some ideas for how to eat and dress like a celebrity for the upcoming Food Festival and Jewelry Exhibitions set for February 2012.

Teachers will certainly have enough money to spend on these activities.  Salaries and benefits are generally excellent, with accommodations often provided in full by the schools.  I know from living in the Middle East, my largest expenses were only my food and a few dollars of gas to put in my car every week. I admit, the rest I spent on gold, rugs, and lots of traveling!

So if you are looking for something really hot in international teaching positions, you have to check into the ultra-cool country of Qatar.

Shannon Dipple - http://www.primary-education-oasis.com


   

Effective Management in the Classroom

Effective Management in the Classroom

There is a secret to running a well-organized classroom where great learning expectations are achieved: The Pygmalion Effect.

The Pygmalion Effect says that all people, including our students, are designed to function at maximum efficiency when expectations are known.  This is the key to excellent classroom management:  don’t make anything a secret.

Classroom management is not just discipline.  It is the day-to-day business of teaching and students’ learning.  It is how a teacher creates an environment that is conducive to learning.

Some teachers make the mistake of thinking students already know how to be successful.  They don’t.  They are only successful when the teacher is able to do that magical thing called…teaching.  And it can’t be done without a management plan that leaves nothing to chance.

There are 4 Classroom Management Factors that are absolutely essential in high-performing classrooms:

• Rules and Procedures (classroom routines)
• Teacher-Student Relationships
• Mental Set of the teacher 
• Discipline

At the top of the list will always be how well classroom management skills are employed and used consistently.  Without that, the other three fall apart.  In the next  three blog posts,  I will share with you what the optimal environment for classroom routines looks like, how to facilitate transitions that are effective and need all students’ needs, and how to target the essential activities that must have a set routine and procedure in place.

If you want maximum results, tell the students what needs to be done to get them.  Set strategies for classroom management and communicate high performance expectations.  Only then will students excel.

Shannon Dipple - http://www.primary-education-oasis.com

    

Government Will Grant Waivers to States Who Do What the Obama Admininstration Dictates

Government Will Grant Waivers to States Who Do What the Obama Admininstration Dictates

There are huge changes occurring in the educational system in America and it's coming straight from the top - Washington DC.   President Obama's administration has just said that they're going to grant waivers to any state that doesn't want to participate in the no Child left behind law. This is a move that is being applauded by many educators and administrators across the country.

State and local education officials have said for many years that this law is completely unsustainable. There are simply not enough funds  to be able to meet all of the madates NCLB requires.   

Pres. Obama's policy advisors and the Melody Barnes have said the details are coming in September.

In addition to this the Obama administration has said that waivers will be granted to any state that adopts standards designed to prepare students to go directly into university after high school. 

It is Interesting that this comes right at the same time that the new common core standards are being implemented across the country  (the common core standards have a focus on college preparedness and readiness skills, and federal funding is linked to whether a state choses to adopt them or not).

Although many states, teachers, educators, parents, and even children are all very excited about the possibility of seeing the final demise of No Child Left Behind, I would not be prepared to put my party had on just yet. 

These things have a way of taking a long time, and we are only a couple of weeks away from the new school year. By the time the House and the Senate actually decide to agree on something, Mr. Obama may not even be in office anymore.

Shannon Dipple - Primary Education Oasis

  

Movie Star Defends Public Education and Teachers

 Movie Star Defends Public Education and Teachers

Although it sometimes feels like the world is against teachers, this is certainly not the case!

Very often we forget in our insulated environments that people do care and are willing to speak up for teachers and the value of education.  But when a public figure balks at all the political drama surrounding education and speaks out in support of it, that is something of great value!

Matt Damon:  movie star, father of three, and...the son of a public education teacher spoke at the “Save Our Schools” educator rally in Washington.

He spoke freely from his heart but also called out all political proselytizers who use educational issues for their own gain.  His take on the current issues such as the perceived value of standardized testing in public education are common sense, straightforward and certainly gives current government administrations something to thing about 

Shannon Dipple - http://www.primary-education-oasis.com

   

Japan will be a Hot Spot for English teachers

Japan will soon be making it compulsory for students at primary school to learn English.  The movement comes in an attempt to improve the country's language skills and its ability to compete with surrounding Asian countries as well as overseas.

The new curriculum should begin in April aimed primarly at 5th and 6th grade students across all of Japan's public primary schools.  Lessons will be held 35 times a year which is about once a week, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour.

Although the MoE is reluctant to set out clear targets, the aim is that children show know about 285 English words.  The thinking being that it should make it a smoother transition from primary to junior and then secondary school.

This movement aims to improve's Japan's English proficiency even though students study English for 6 years starting at the age of 12.  Compared to their counter parts, Japanese students have the lowest scores in Asia in the international ToEFL.  The issue also stands that the majority of Japan's primary school teachers admit to not being well-equipped to deliver as language instructors, which does not give them the confidence to raise achievement as per the requirement from the MoE.  Additional training and support is likle to be needed in order for the MoE to meet its objectives in order for it to compete internationally.  Team teaching by bringing in English experts from abroad is likely to take place.

Since 2002, primary school children have been given occasional foreign-language teachings, but South Korea made English compulsory at that level in 1997, and China in 2005. Japanese sixth-graders have previously received far fewer hours of English instruction until now.  They were getting 13.5 hours English tuition a year which is far less then is surround counterparts

Although keen to implement and get going Japan's teacher's are aware there is a mountain to climb and much change to take place until standards of English are raised in the country.  The discussion for this change is long over due, so watch this space English teachers, as their should be more English teaching jobs coming your way!