Welcome Back!
Join Us for an Engaging Afternoon of Professional Development
Date: March 8, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location:
Gwangju National University of Education (GNUE)
Creativity Convergence Building (창의융합관; #9 on the map) – 3rd Floor, English Café Lounge
(Look for the new "Salon De Redbridge" café on the ground floor; this building is connected to or directly in front of our old meeting venue.)
Venue Directions
We are excited to kick off another year with the Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL community! Join us for an afternoon of insightful workshops, meaningful discussions, and networking with fellow ELT professionals. Whether you are a long-time member or new to the group, this is a great opportunity to learn, share, and reconnect.
Workshop 1
The Finer Points of Organizing Students into Pairs and Groups
Presenter: Bryan Hale, Jeonnam Foreign Language High School
Most teachers use pair and group work, but how often do we reflect on the how and why of our groupings? Thoughtful organization can transform classroom interactions, while missed opportunities can lead to disengagement and frustration. This workshop will explore practical strategies for structuring student pairs and groups to maximize engagement, participation, and learning outcomes.
Participants will reflect on key classroom challenges, including:
Ensuring that every student is included in pair and group work.
Managing on-task behavior when students choose their own partners.
Avoiding scenarios where one student does all the work.
Responding when students resist pair and group activities altogether.
Expect hands-on activities and takeaways that you can immediately apply in your teaching.
About the Presenter:
Bryan Hale teaches at Jeonnam Foreign Language High School in Naju and is a dedicated member of KOTESOL. He holds a Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL) from the University of New England, Australia.
Workshop 2
The Unfolding of Careers: Why Some Expatriate English Teachers Leave the Profession
Presenter: Ian Moodie, Mokpo National University
What happens when experienced ELT professionals decide to leave the field? This session explores research on expatriate English teacher attrition, examining why teachers move on—whether due to life changes, workplace issues, or lack of career progression. Drawing from interviews with 15 former teachers, this study sheds light on the critical events and factors that influenced their decisions, as well as how their ELT experience was perceived by future employers.
This session will be of particular interest to ELT professionals thinking about career pathways, as well as administrators and policymakers seeking to better support and retain educators in the field.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Ian Moodie is a professor at Mokpo National University and serves as KOTESOL’s Research Committee Chair. He holds a PhD in linguistics and an MA in applied linguistics, with research interests in teacher cognition, commitment, professionalism, and development.
Join Us for Dinner After the Event
After an afternoon of learning and discussion, let’s continue the conversation over dinner. This will be a great opportunity to catch up and welcome both new and returning members in a more casual setting.
Do not miss this opportunity to gain new insights, exchange ideas, and connect with your ELT community. See you there!
Enjoy our relaunch of the Gwangju Communicator!
Questions: Ask on our Facebook Group
