Posted by: Jerry Frank, Regional English Language Officer
In order to help better promote our English language programming around the world the Office of English Language Programs (OELP) in the U.S. State Department has designated December 12th as American English Day! On American English Day our OELP in Washington D.C. will launch a brand new website called American English. Until now the website has remained TOP SECRET but now you are able to see links to the new website starting December 12th, by visiting our home page at http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/relo.html.
On the new site you will be able find resources for teachers, students, materials related to American culture, the English Teaching Forum magazine, and the new video game for learning English, TRACE EFFECTS. On this new site you can also find out more about our various programs on our “About Us” page. Here you will find information on Regional English Language Officers (RELOs), links to English Language Programs, our E-Teacher Scholarship Program, the English Access Microscholarship Program, more about the English Language Specialist Program, and our English Language Fellow Program.
A Content Spotlight featured on the new site will include cultural information, lesson plan ideas, and connects to OELP materials (such as from Celebrate and other publications). A My Resource List feature will allow you to click on and save resources and materials on a clipboard and either print or send to email address. There will also be calendar pulls dates from the TESOL calendar, RELO regional events, and U.S. national holidays. In addition, there will be links to social media feeds from our Twitter and Facebook sites.
One of the most exciting features of this new site will be the introduction to Trace Effects. Trace Effects is a virtual learning program designed to engage younger audiences and to help them to practice American English while learning about society, study, and travel in the United States. Trace Effects will be supported on the new site with a variety of supplementary activities and links.
In addition to all the great new resources from Washington, RELO Kyiv encourages you to celebrate American English Day by joining our new social media site E-Connect. Go to http://e-connect.ning.com to join. E-Connect will be a platform for English teachers, learners, and lovers of American English in the RELO Kyiv region. Members will be able to form groups, start blogs, post events, photos and videos, and link their own websites and social media links to our site. It is our hope that E-Connect will be a place where members can share experiences, resources, tips, and ideas. So circle December 12th on your calendar and have a happy American English Day!
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