Esperanto Teaching and Learning - IEI (conclusion)Author: David Poulson Introductory note for new visitors to the Esperanto Topic. If you have only just begun to take an interest in Esperanto and wish to know some basic information about this fascinating subject, please start your reading at the first article of this series. Having already completed 84 articles, I am now at the stage of writing articles for those readers who have learned quite a lot about the Esperanto language and movement already, and who are now wanting to find out more than just the basic introductory information. To get to the beginning of this series After you have read the first article, click on the link at the top of the page which says "Articles" to find the rest of the series, which is listed in reverse chronological order. ______________________________________________ Post-War Activity Although the expert trainers of the IEI were never able to issue diplomas to Cseh-method Esperanto teachers at the rate achieved during the 1930's they, nevertheless, maintained steady growth. At present there are about 600 of qualified teachers in 28 countries and five continents - a great achievement! All of these teachers have completed the full course of three seminars (Grades A, B and C) and their diploma entitles them to teach Cseh-method Esperanto classes anywhere in the world at the invitation of a local Esperanto organisation. Naturally, a pre-requisite to maintaining this training programme is the availability of a sufficient number of experts to conduct the seminars and, to guarantee that the training can continue, since 1991 IEI has offered additional courses. These are for already qualified Cseh-method teachers who wish to improve their teaching technique to the point where they are considered sufficiently competent to train others in the methodology which they themselves have learned. However, only people who are also professionally-qualified teachers of a foreign language are accepted into these advanced courses. I must not forget to mention the fact that the International Esperanto Institute has also made a useful contribution to the publishing field. One of it's first publications, the little book Karlo by Edmond Privat (a kind of microcosmic <="" i=""> ) is now in its eighth edition and is a best-seller in Esperanto terms. I might add in passing that I don't like David Copperfield and I don't like Karlo either. However, I do acknowledge the fact that the language in which the book is written is really excellent. It is clear, classical and very easily understood by anyone who has progressed beyound the absolute beginner stage. 1995 was the year of Andreas Cseh's centenary and to celebrate the event, IEI issued a teaching film, Mazi en Gondolando which, no doubt, some of my readers will have seen. And finally, I should mention the journal Praktiko which for many years has been a useful resource for Esperanto teachers, functioning both as a discussion forum and a source of material for use in Esperanto classes. In a later article I hope to describe briefly the methodology of Cseh method teaching but, as I a write, I am less than 6 hours away from being homeless. All of my possessions, except for what I can put into a medium sized suitcase, plus my old friend, a Maton guitar, have been sold, given away, or just trashed. That, of course, includes my library, (35-years worth of material). On Friday, the day when this article appears, I will be arriving in Bangkok and then on Saturday, flying north to Chiang Mai. Where I hope somebody will meet me! To post another article in two weeks time might be very difficult for me, but check in anyway. I'll try to, at least, provide a note about my situation and future plans. In the meantime, the best way to get in touch with me (should anyone wish to) is to use this address d.poulson@eudoramail.com If, as has been promised, I am given a teaching contract and flat at Maejo University, I hope to also get an internet account and mailing address. If I do, we'll take it from there. Meanwhile...wish me luck, and to all of you: Sawadee krup! |