| ASOCIACE UČITELŮ ANGLIČTINY ČESKÉ REPUBLIKY IATEFL Associate |
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ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TESOL Affiliate |
ATECR AND TEACHING ENGLISH IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Teaching English as a foreign language in the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia before 1993) has surprisingly quite a long tradition. Even under the totalitarian regime before 1989 it was taught at schools though the first foreign language was naturally Russian. There were no textbooks for children at basic schools; therefore the learners had to study from textbooks for adolescent and adult learners. Grammar-translation method was the only and exclusive method of presentation, drill was used for practicing and role-plays were the most up-to-date methods for “real situation simulations”. This way of language education produced learners with a sound knowledge of grammar but insecure language speakers.
After 1989 the system started to change gradually and relying on the previous experience it started to stress communication with mostly inductive presentation and learning of grammar. Nowadays we have learners who are not afraid of speaking and communicating their opinions but who do not know much about the system of the language which should support their language production and their language confidence. The problem is not just in the changed system of foreign language teaching but also in the fact that English has become a number one language and started to be taught much earlier. This meant many more qualified English teachers which we did not (and still do not) have. The first foreign language (90% is English) is compulsory from the age of eight. English is introduced even to children beginning their school attendance at the age of 6, Kindergartens (age 3-6) offer lessons of English to attract parents of the children and we have also recorded “courses” for infants or pre-natal English education for pregnant mothers (probably an attempt to simulate bi-lingual families). This, in our opinion, can hardly be called education – it is only big business. While professionals came to the same conclusion as was declared by TESOL last year that earlier does not necessarily mean better in learning foreign languages, early language education still flourishes as big business and parents are willing to pay for English lessons of their children without caring whether these courses will influence the language development of their kids in any way (very often children re-learn at school what they learned in these paid courses). The sad fact is that these courses are quite often taught by people without any specialist education or accreditation.
The lack of qualified FL teachers at our schools is being compensated by offers of further education. There are a number of institutions which offer such further education but only a form of lifelong education provided by colleges and mostly paid by the attendees is recognized as proper qualification by the Ministry of Education. For those who cannot afford, do not want or are not able to participate in such college programs there is a vast number of seminars, lessons and courses ranging from a few hours to a few days which are accredited by the Ministry of Education as “further education” of the teachers and though it does not mean real qualification, at least it proves the FL teachers´ willingness to learn more about the subject they teach. ATECR bi-annual conferences for English teachers belong to one of these events which get the ministry accreditation for further education of English teachers. With a vast number of publishing houses offering free seminars and free sample of ELT materials it is very difficult for ATECR to maintain its position of a professional organization and to attract more members. Luckily majority of ATECR members consider it a prestigious thing to be a member of such an organization. Every ATECR executive board strived for improving the reputation of the Association and for attracting more members. Nowadays we have eleven regions but the number varies according to the current situation. We try to build up and develop contacts with the publishers of ELT literature, we have a number of partner organizations, and we publish a Newsletter twice a year. In 2011 we participated in the Franklin Global Spell-Event for the first time and our champion is representing us in NYC global event this August. Every other year an ATECR representative participates at TESOL Convention (we were in Boston in 2010 and will be represented in Philadelphia in 2012) and every year we send our representative to IATEFL Conference in UK. Both of these events as well as affiliation with the mentioned organizations make us feel members of a big professional family. Having a big caring brother and partner in MITESOL is a big bonus for us. It helps extending our horizons and professional knowledge.
The Association of Teachers of English of the Czech Republic was founded in January 1990 by a group of teachers of English seeking improvement in the quality of English teaching, exchange of ideas and experience and broad cooperation on national and international level. Membership of ATECR is open to all persons teaching English at all kinds of schools and other institutions, state or private, as well as freelance teachers, of any nationality, working in the Czech Republic. There is also institutional membership. When you join ATECR, you connect yourself with other concerned professionals who wish to upgrade the teaching of English as a foreign language in the Czech Republic. As a member, you can participate in all events organized by ATECR, join in the activities of a regional centre of your choice, write contributions for the newsletter, help with the organization of conferences, serve on the Executive Board, represent ATECR at various meetings, come up with proposals of how to improve work of ATECR or make it more meaningful to its members. (www.atecr.cz)
Next ATECR conference is planned for September of 2012 but the place and date is still unknown. Most ATECR members would love to see the venue in Prague which, due to its placement in the “heart” of our country, would be convenient and attractive for both the Czech and international participants. On the other hand Prague is always “busy” and full of events so it will be a bit more difficult to find a partner able and willing to help us organize the 2012 ATECR conference. We promise we will try hard… 
Olga Vraštilová
ATECR President
O.Vrastilova@seznam.cz
www.atecr.cz