PRTESOL 40th Annual Convention

    On November 1-2, 2013, the PRTESOL 40th Annual Convention was held in Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino.  This year theme was “Meeting 21st Century Needs: Aligning Curriculum and Teacher Performance".
    I was able to attend Saturday’s convention and experienced an unforgettable and academic enriching experience.  The conferences and presentations fulfilled and went beyond my expectations while acquiring knowledge to apply in the courses I teach.  Saturday’s keynote speaker Dr. Rebecca Blum Martinez presented her conference on “Grappling with Language and Meaning in Complex Texts: The Common Core Standards and Bilingual Students”.  It was an outstanding presentation where Dr. Blum Martinez not only provided relevant information for English educators of the island, but provided examples to show how we must change our view on the way we teach our English courses to ESL learners.
     Thirty-one concurrent sessions were offered on Saturday which provided a range of fascinating topics making one wish to be able to attend simultaneously several of them.  Topics ranged from videogames in the English classroom, Shakespeare in the 21st century to ecological education.
    Presenters came from different institutions such as the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus, UPR Mayaguez,  UPR Aguadilla as well as from private universities of the island such as Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Inter American University (San Germán and Guayama), and Metropolitan University.  There were also presenters from the Department of Education representing schools such as S.U. Rio Cañas Abajo Community School as well as private schools such as Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas.  Not only presenters came from our island, but we also had others from institutions such as Middlesex County College (New Jersey), Wheelock College (Boston, MA), King Saud University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Texas State University, and Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
     But the highlight of attending this convention was having two colleagues from the English Department of UPRH give presentations to PR TESOL attendees.  Dr. Anibal Muñoz with Dr. María Irrizarry of UPR Río Piedras and Dr. Elsie Candelaria and Dr. Rosemary Morales gave a presentation titled “Aligning the ESL Curriculum through Art and Technology”.  Dr. Muñoz is currently collaborating in a project that is providing educators the opportunity to develop activities where technology is used as a medium to enhance the teaching of English while integrating the arts to the curriculum.  Dr. Muñoz’s workshops deal with creating documentaries in the English classroom as well as using radio programs in the acquisition of the English language just to mention some of the ones he is offering to participants of public and private schools.
     Dr. Artemio Peñalbert was also a presenter for this 40th Annual Convention and representing our faculty of UPRH.  His conference was titled “Using Cooperative Strategies to Enhance Students’ Writing Skills in a Business English course”.  His conference was based on his dissertation.  His work deals with how writing skills brings a new perspective in the teaching of Business English at undergraduate level.  These courses have been taught many times focused in lectures and individual performance when writing assignments were given.  Through his study, Dr. Peñalbert demonstrated how cooperative learning becomes an ideal form for students to acquire the writing skills so vital in the success of their field of studies.  His work demonstrates that Business Writing English courses must align to the needs of the 21st global society we live in; collaboration is the key to acquiring knowledge and for success in the professional world.
     As part of the English Department faculty at UPRH, I left the convention full of pride of being part of such an outstanding group of colleagues.  Both Dr. Muñoz and Dr. Peñalbert have contributed into the academia providing new insights to the teaching of English.  I congratulate them both and look forward to their upcoming presentations and workshops because our English teaching community benefits from the knowledge and contributions of professionals like them.
    I also want to thank the PRTESOL for organizing such an outstanding convention.  I left the activity feeling academically refreshed and with new energies to continue working with my students in meeting their academic needs.
    The Executive Board of Directors ensured that this PRTESOL 40th Annual convention is one to be remembered for years to come.  President Estella Martinez, Vice President Edward Torres, Executive Secretary Maureen Orama, Membership Secretary Janytsie Mora and Treasurer Myriam Caballero provided the academic and professional opportunity that fulfilled the needs of educators of English in Puerto Rico.

My Inspiration- Creative Project by an English BA Student

My name is Samantha Rodriguez and I belong to the English BA Program Elementary level at the UPRH. This semester, I enrolled in an elective education course called Art for the Primary grades in order to gain more knowledge and experience with students of Kindergarten through third grade.  As soon as I began taking class, my professor gave us an assignment. The topic for this project was “Our Place of Inspiration”.  We were told that we had to think of a place that inspired us and make it into something that would represent and epitomize why we were so inspired by it.  The very first place that I thought of was a classroom because I had completed my Practice Teaching course last semester and it ended up being an amazing experience that allowed me to grow as a future educator and as a person.

            For me, the elementary classroom represents the opportunity to be creative with the content of classes and environment so that student’s academic experience may be most effective.  It makes me so happy to think about students genuinely enjoying entering a classroom because it feels like a wonderful “escape”.  My goal throughout my Practice Teaching course was to make learning fun and educational for my students. I also wanted to create an unbreakable and loving bond between us so that their perception of successfully learning a second language would be more positive and unquestionably attainable.  With that said, my plan for this art project was to make it as realistic as possible with furniture and learning materials that I would place in my own classroom once I start teaching in the working field.

            The end result of my school house turned out to be exactly what I had envisioned; I was very happy and satisfied with it.  However, what I was so eager to witness was my professor’s reaction to it.  She expressed that she thought it was very beautiful and told me that she knew that a lot of work was put into it, the fact that she enjoyed it made me so proud.

           

ESA and Reconocimiento de las Organizaciones Estudiantiles

On Thursday, October 17, 2014 the English Students Association (ESA) participated of the activity Reconocimiento a las Organizaciones Estudiantiles de la UPRH.  This activity was organized by the Students Dean Office.  The activity was held at the UPRH Theater from 10:30-12:00. 

    The ESA Board of Directors (Orlando Mercado, Frances Mangual, Melanie Quintana and Iris Medina) and Larissa L. Lopez represented the English Students Association.  Dr. Artemio Peñalbert, English BA Coordinator attended this activity as well as Ms. Elizabeth Morales “Oficial de Orientación”of our English BA Program.

    We want to congratulate the English Students Association for the acknowledgement received as part of those associations that will be present this year to enhance our university life.  We look forward to continue enjoying of the academic and cultural activities that the English Students Association organize for the benefit and enjoyment of the English BA students, faculty and university community.

Linguistics...What's in It for Me?

    On Thursday, October 10, 2013, Sally Delgado graduate student of Caribbean Linguistics of UPR Rio Piedras presented a conference about the opportunities English majors have when pursuing graduate studies in this field.  Her conference was titled "Linguistics...What's in It for Me?".
     This activity was organized by the English BA Coordinator Dr. Artemio Penalbert. This is the first of a series of conferences he is in process of organizing where graduate students, universities professors and other professionals shared how English is a major component in the success of pursing their field of studies or work.  Up to the moment, it has been planned that representatives of the fields of English Literature, Translations and Curriculum will also join UPRH BA students in these talks.
    Twenty-nine persons, mostly BA students attended this conference.  This activity was evaluated as a complete success by those present.  Prof. Delgado's gave an outstanding presentation about research as well as career opportunities.  Many students expressed their interest in Linguistics while others did not imagine how many possibilities this field provides for their academic and professional development.
     The Library Committee wishes to congratulate Dr. Penalbert for organizing such an outstanding activity.  Students are looking forward to the upcoming activities which we know will also be successful academic experiences.

Summer Pre-Basic Video

     Last summer Dr. Artemio Peñalbert and Prof. Carmen Milagros Torres coordinated the "Meet the Author" activity. Students not only participated actively in the Questions and Answer session after Dr. Anibal Muñoz's presentation ended, but some of the students collaborated in a video that Dr. Muñoz as well as the audience enjoyed.
     Here is the video for your enjoyment...

Meet the Author: Dr. Anibal Muñoz and iPREOPLE

    On June 27, 2013 Dr. Anibal Muñoz shared with INGL 0080 students his experience as a writer and his literary work iPREOPLE.  This short story collection revolves around the life of a young adult protagonist and her friends and the different technologies used by these students.
    Students responded enthusiastically to Dr. Muñoz's literary work as well as his conference.  This activity was coordinated by Dr. Artemio Peñalbert and Prof. Carmen Milagros Torres.  It was the closing activity of a very successful summer where students participated of diverse activities including creating short videos inspired in Dr. Muñoz's work.
    This is the second Meet the Author activity coordinated in a summer session.  The first activity was coordinated by Dr. Giovanna Balaguer.  Dr. Balaguer also coordinated this summer session.

Limonese Creole Conference- UPR Humacao

     On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, the English Library Committee (Dr. Aida Cáceres, Dr. Artemio

Peñalbert, and Prof. Carmen Milagros Torres) coordinated a conference about Limonese Creole.  Marisol Joseph, graduate student and professor at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus was the guest speaker.

     Here is the video of the conference for those who did not have the opportunity to enjoy this conference that was assessed with outstanding evaluations and comments.

Dr. Denise Rodriguez's Presentation of Novel: Prisioneros de la Vida: Tierra y Libertad

Dr. Denise Rodriguez

     Dr. Denise Rodriguez, professor of the English Department presented Dr. Oscar Rodriguez's novel in the April 30, 2013 activity held in the Sala de Facultad of UPR Humacao.  She presented an extrordinary analysis of this novel which will be shared in this blog.

Prisioneros de la vida: Tierra y libertad

Presentación de la novela de Oscar Rodríguez Jusino

30 de abril 2013, Sala de Facultad Universidad  Puerto Rico Humacao

Comparezco ante ustedes para compartir mis impresiones sobre la novela de mi colega y amigo Oscar Rodríguez Jusino. Disfrutando de la bendición que debe ser una jubilación bien merecida, Oscar pudo, finalmente, dedicarse a escribir su novela y tuvo a su bien compartir el fruto de esa labor de amor mediante la publicación de esa primera novela. Por razones que yacen en el corazón y la conciencia de este escritor,  tuve la dicha y el privilegio de leer su novela antes de ese acontecimiento.

Grande fue mi sorpresa al enfrentarme con la novela. Yo esperaba que la primera novela de mi colega fuera escrita en inglés; que se tratara de la experiencia vivencial puertorriqueña; que iba a poder entrever en las páginas de su primera novela la particularidad de mi antiguo profesor de inglés o la experiencia académica de mi primer director de departamento y mi primer colega en el ambiente universitario.  Nada que ver.

Recuperada de esta sorpresa, me enfrenté con una realidad muy gratificante porque aunque no se ambientaliza en Puerto Rico y no representa la vivencia puertorriqueña en específico, su novela ciertamente ha captado nuestra condición humana desde una perspectiva honesta, comprehensiva y sobria.  Me refiero a nuestra humanidad extendiendo la frase para incluir a todos los habitantes de este planeta porque siendo tan diferentes como podemos ser, somos iguales en lo que realmente nos hace humanos.  Oscar escribió desde su propia experiencia humana aplicándola a su entorno actual. Desde su presente experiencia vivencial nos asoma al advenimiento de su “mexicanidad” con el cariño que eso le ha inspirado y que se hace latente en las páginas de su novela.

Desde el umbral de esta nueva expectativa, me acomodé para darle lectura a su novela como me acomodo para incursionar vicariamente en la multiplicidad de vidas y experiencias  que el mundo de las letras despliega al alcance de todos.  Aunque conozco por muchos años a este escritor, es ésta perspectiva de la lectura de su novela que quiero compartir con ustedes hoy; la perspectiva que compartimos todos los aficionados del género de la novela.

Somos una variedad de  gente especial.  Cuando emprendemos la  lectura de una novela nueva, comenzamos una relación desde la  portada.  Nos relacionamos primero con su título. Digna representante de esta gente, empecé a incursionar en esta experiencia desde ahí.  El título de esta novela, Prisioneros de la vida: Tierra y libertad,  provoca la sensibilidad humana desde varias fuentes.  Primeramente,  el espectro de la falta de libertad,  que es ser prisionero,  se hace más amenazante cuando se presenta esta maldad a manos de la vida misma. No es un mero juego de palabras.  Presentar lo que sentimos que es derecho inalienable de todo ser humano siendo coartado por lo más preciado que la experiencia humana nos ofrece,  nos vislumbra el aspecto de la vida que nos encierra, que nos limita , o que nos impide alcanzar la plenitud.  De esta manera este autor utiliza su arte para que la opresión de los humanos por los humanos nos asome su cara anormal. En esta novela, las malas costumbres y los convencionalismos de la sociedad y de la familia son los grilletes de esta familia mexicana. Y, aunque no son exactamente iguales en las historias de la humanidad, reconocemos esos grilletes. Hemos visto sus manifestaciones muchas veces.

            El título también nos vislumbra la ironía histórica  de tener la necesidad de un pedazo de tierra para asegurar la subsistencia cuando la tierra, en justicia, debería ser verdaderamente herencia de todos los humanos. En un mundo que se torna cada día más comercializado,  esta pobreza se torna más y más invisible y, por eso, mucho más peligrosa. 

En la novela vemos los extremos sociales que son producto de la lucha por el poder y la riqueza.  Las clases sociales, por ejemplo, que subyugan al indio mexicano y lo convierten en esclavo del hacendado a cambio de una mera sobrevivencia,  proveen en la novela la raíz de la problemática que convierte el amor entre dos seres humanos, Guadalupe y Artemio, en una trágica miseria.   Nos encoge el alma la arrogancia de las clases elitistas que sacrifican a otro ser humano para adelantar sus propios intereses.  La injustificable carencia de la libertad, que nos niega la naturaleza que nos define como seres humanos dotados con espíritu y conciencia se manifiesta en esta novela mucho más que en su forma física. La vemos como fuerza inmoral e insidiosa.

            El título de la novela de Oscar evoca sentimientos y situaciones humanas que todos hemos compartido de una manera u  otra.  Históricamente, la humanidad se ha batido con las fuerzas  que atentan contra la libertad, contra nuestro sentido de pertenencia.  Conocemos la indignación y la rabia que provoca que el hombre se levante y tome las armas  contra la injusticia. Conocemos la cara grotesca de las aberraciones humanas y los extremos  a los que  saben llegar. La contemplación de esta experiencia humana es, entonces, tierra fértil  y lugar familiar desde donde podemos acceder nuestra conciencia para leer esta novela. De esta manera, desde el título de la novela, pienso que Oscar Rodríguez Jusino nos extiende una invitación a la experiencia que nos acoge en su desarrollo.

En las páginas de esta novela emprendemos la odisea de una familia mexicana que se niega a sucumbir a la impotencia y la apatía ante la embestida del abuso moral, político,  y social que prevalece en su país.   En las páginas del desarrollo de esta novela, Oscar nos hace un recuento de la historia del pueblo mexicano pasado y presente.  Hace este recuento desde una perspectiva respetuosa sin ser condescendiente.  Nos retrata lo bueno y lo malo sin pasar juicio, fiel a su percepción humana de la cultura mexicana.

Conocemos a la familia en su entorno rural, de rancho, comenzando con el personaje Marcos, hermano menor de la dueña,  Guadalupe.  La vida de estos dos hermanos nos ofrece una mirada humana que nos retrata la tradición y las costumbres del pueblo mexicano.  Reconocemos en Marcos  las turbulencias de las emociones y los sentimientos que nuestras debilidades humanas manifiestan cuando nos hacen presa fácil de la incertidumbre, la desilusión, la falta de honor, la frustración; y nos regocijamos ante su nobleza, su sentido de familia, y su solidaridad con la causa del patrimonio de su familia extendida.

En Guadalupe y Sofía, ambas protagonistas,  vivimos la evolución de la mujer mexicana en dos generaciones desde sus nombres, uno muy tradicional mexicano y el otro, Sofía, alusivo a la cualidad inquisitiva del ser humano.  Aunque Guadalupe desarrolla bajo el yugo de su padre machista, manifiesta su fuerza espiritual de varias maneras que comienzan con su elección de un marido indio en contra de la voluntad de su padre,  y culminan con la decisión de enfrentarse a manos armadas con la injusticia y la violencia que asechan a su familia y su patrimonio. Sofía, aunque producto de un hogar dysfuncional, hereda esa fuerza espiritual de su madre y la lleva a otros niveles. Sofía reconoce el valor y la abnegación de su madre,  acepta la responsabilidad moral y social que le impone su educación superior y su profesión, y desde esa perspectiva hace cuestionamientos sociales, políticos, y hasta existenciales,  que la obligan a sacrificarlo todo en respuesta.  Personifica lo mejor de la poderosa mujer antigua y moderna. La dignidad de estas dos mujeres en dos tiempos me llena de satisfacción y orgullo por reconocer en ellas mis propias aspiraciones como mujer.

Como en toda buena novela, y a pesar de todo el tumulto moral y social, aflora el amor entre dos personajes, Sofía y Gabriel, de una manera que nos engatusa el espíritu y nos trae una sonrisa desde la conciencia hasta los labios.  Y esto, porque el amor entre estos dos personajes nace y se desarrolla libre de toda atadura, porque nace y crece a pesar de la tragedia, porque existe despojado de los convencionalismos, y porque repetando el pasado se ancla firmemente en la esperanza y el futuro. Es un amor que nos enaltece a todos como seres humanos y demuestra que la experiencia humana, aunque puede ser árdua y dolorosa, es también preciosa y vale la pena.  Nos hace recordar que la parte más oscura de la noche es solamente la antesala de un nuevo amanecer.

Book Presentation: Prisioneros de la Vida, Tierra and Libertad

Dr. Garcia Leduc, Dr. Oscar Rodriguez and Dr. Denise Rodriguez

  On Tuesday, April 30, 2013, Dr. Oscar E. Rodriguez former professor of the UPRH English Department  and Professor Emeritus presented his novel Prisioneros de la Vida, Tierra y Libertad.  This activity was organized by the "Asociacion de Profesores Jubilados" of the University of Puerto Rico Humacao.

     Dr. Jose M. Garcia Leduc, Professor Emeritus and former student of Dr. Oscar Rodriguez was the moderator of this activity.  Dr. Denise Rodriguez, English Professor of our faculty and also former student of Dr. Oscar Rodriguez presented the novel to the audience.  Her analysis of this literary work was a profound interpretation on her literary journey through the pages of Dr. Rodriguez first published novel. 

     The audience composed of the university community with former faculty of our institution, actively participated asking questions to the author.  Those who had already read the novel expressed how they liked this work and commented on the outcome of some of the characters.

     It was an academic activity that brought colleagues together to enjoy and celebrate Dr. Rodriguez's novel while waiting for his upcoming work to share again another literary moment.

Read Aloud 2

On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, the English Department Library Committee with the collaboration of ADCO professors celebrated "El Dia del Libro" with the second Read Aloud activity.  This activity was coordinated by Dr. Artemio Peñalbert of the English Department Library Committee and Prof. Jose Figueroa of ADCO.
    Faculty members of the English Department and of ADCO professors (Prof. Jose Figueroa, Prof. Carlos Velazquez and Prof. Sergio Rodriguez) as well as students attended the event.  Prof. Denise Rodriguez, Prof. Carlos Velazquez,  Prof. Sergio Rodriguez and Prof. Luz I. Vega shared their love of reading with original works and that of Shakespeare.  It was an unforgettable experience. 
     Dr. Artemio Peñalbert will continue coordinating similar activities this next academic year with the goal that students and faculty can continue enjoying the magic of literature.

Prezi Workshop

Dr. Nilsa Lugo and part of the faculty that attended Prezi workshop

     On Thursday, April 19, Dr. Nilsa Lugo offered a workshop on Prezi.  Professors from the English faculty attended the workshop.  The workshop was coordinated by the Personnel Committee of our department.

     In this workshop, participants learned about the new features Prezi now offers.  For those that were not familiar or had long since used this program, it was great news to discover that templates are now part of the options Prezi users have.  Another feature that Dr. Lugo highlighted from Prezi is that Power Point presentations can be uploaded in a Prezi presentation.

     This Prezi workshop has opened new possibilities for us educators to enhace our courses.  The dynamic platform of Prezi makes academic presentation visually appealing while presenting the academic content of each course.

Read Aloud 2: My Favorite Book Promotion

     Next Tuesday, April 23 is the Read Aloud Day 2: My Favorite Book.  This activity is coordinated by Dr. Artemio Peñalbert with the collaboration of ADCO (Administración de Colecciones) professors. Dr. Aida Cáceres and Prof. Carmen Milagros Torres have also collaborated with this project.
      This activity was scheduled due to the success of the Read Aloud Day closing activity.  Students and faculty were interested that Dr. Artemio Peñalbert would organize another of these activities and here it is.
     So come on Tuesday with your favorite book and share with us two or three paragraphs from a significant scene.  This activity will be from 10:30-12 on the second floor of the Aguedo Mojica Library of UPRH.

Limonese Creole Conference

     On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, Marisol Joseph, professor and graduate student of UPR Río Piedras campus offered a conference titled "Limonese Creole and Costa Rican Caribbean".  It was held in the Nursing Amphitheater.

     Students and faculty members of the English Department had to opportunity to attend Marisol Joseph's conference about this creole language which is her native tongue.  Marisol shared her personal experience as a native speaker of Limonese Creole, as well as videos of native speakers of Limonese Creole.  The audience also enjoyed of calypso music and poetry where Limonese Creole, standard English and Spanish are interwoven.

     Marisol also shared a book of stories written by her grandfather in Limonese Creole.  She also narrated an Anancy tale in this language.  In addition she also discussed her thesis which focused on Limonese Creole and code switching. Her presentation concluded with a poem titled "Rotundamente Negra" written by Shirley Campbell.

Me niego rotundamente

a negar mi voz

mi sangre y mi piel

y me niego rotundamente

a dejar de ser yo

a dejar de sentirme bien

cuando miro al espejo

con mi boca rotundamente grande

y mi nariz

rotundamente hermosa...

     The response to this presentation was one of great interest and enthusiasm.  Colleagues from the English Department commented and asked questions about Marisol's experience as a native speaker of this language and how she sees its future due to it being mainly an oral language.

     The English Department Library Committee wants to thank students and faculty for attending this conference.  We want to especially thank Marisol Joseph for accepting the invitation to share her knowledge and experience with this language.  We also want to thank Diana Ursulin, graduate student of UPR, Río Piedras who also visited our campus and collaborated in organizing the last details of the presentation.

     This conference represents a new stage in our committee.  The goal is to continue providing this academic experience every semester for the enjoyment of our university community.  The chair of the committee, Prof. Carmen Milagros Torres expressed about this new stage in the following opening words:

       "Welcome to the first conference coordinated by the English Department Library Committee.  The English Department Library Committee members: Dr. Aida Cáceres, Prof. Artemio Peñalbert and I are pleased to have you join us in this special occassion.

     Today is a special day for many reasons.  The UPRH Library begins with  their series of activities to celebrate their week.  And in our department, one of the members of our committee is at this moment in his last stage to obtain his doctorate degree with his dissertation defense. It is a great week to begin a new stage in this committee where we wish to include conferences so UPRH community can enjoy and discover new fields of knowledge."

Reference
Poem "Rotundamente Negra" by Shirley Campbell

   

Congratulations Dr. Artemio Peñalbert!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

- Eleanor Roosevelt

     Today, April 16, 2013 the English Department of UPRH is celebrating a very special moment for us as a faculty.  One of our colleagues has obtained  his doctorate degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Teaching.  His dissertation is titled "Using Cooperative Learning Strategies to Enhance Students’ Writing Skills in a Business English Course”.  This work presents a new paradigm in the way educators should approach the way Business English writing courses should be taught to facilitate the successful acquisition of the communication skills that Business student need to be successful in their professional facet.

     We celebrate this moment not only because obtaining a doctorate degree is an important step in a person's professional goals, but because our colleague has excelled beyond the walls of this academic achievement.  He is a colleague who has supported the projects our Department has established and looked for ways to collaborate in making them possible.  He has participated actively within our Department as well as institutional committees.  He has coordinated the INCO (Business English) component and has dedicated much of his professional career to this academic area.

     As a professor, he has won the appreciation and admiration of his students for he is always looking for ways that his students acquire the knowledge needed to be successful and obtain their academic goals.  His compromise for his students has been proven to be authentic throughout these years.

     And in our Library Committee, he has been a member that has supported and collaborated during these years in achieving the goals set by the members.  No matter the tasks assigned, many times with his agenda completely compromised with his work and studies, he has looked for ways to collaborate with these activities so the end result has been a successful moment for our committee. 

     We congratulate Dr. Artemio Peñalbert for this new stage in his life.  We wish you and your family happiness, success and blessings.