I try and make it to at least one different teacher summer program on teaching ESL students.
Every teachers summer program I attend, confirms my overwhelming feeling of tiredness. I prefer the long lazy days of summer, but inevitably I know that sipping mint julip next a pool won't bring me any closer to updating my list of teacher resources.
So, I gather whatever is left of my sound body and mind and attend at least a one day conference of the English Teachers Association in Israel in Jerusalem. (ETAI). In the past, I've heard dozens of lectures and participated in workshops on topics from second language acquisition, to mind mapping and decoding strategies for weak learners. I've enjoyed all of these and always had a fresh new stock of ideas to choose from.
A conference is as close to a teacher summer program as I usually get. There are several others I will miss come this summer vacation including a seven day workshop on learning and reading strategies for poor readers.
It's really important to partake in a teachers summer program even if it is for one day. Meeting up with colleagues and hearing how the school year went for them is a must for ANY new teacher. The school system as hectic as it can be, always has its own way of bringing new teachers together even if teachers are overwhelmed by all they have to do. A small chat will remind you that you are only human.
It is a good idea to sign up for the National Teacher Council of English. Having professional working contacts is a real plus, especially in the first few years of working as a new teacher in the school system. Attending a summer conference is a good way to be up to date on a variety of teaching resources and methodologies, not to mention connecting with other teachers.
