Faculty and Staff Meeting and Workshop Minutes

Spanish-American Institute

September 17, 2005

TO: All Faculty and Staff ~ «FirstNAME» «LastNAME»

Schedule: The Faculty and Staff Meeting started at 10:00 am. The Workshop convened at 10:30 am. and ended at 1:00 pm with an invitation to lunch.

Attendance: J. Arbai, Bah, A., A. Burakovskiy, F. A. Bush, E. Castillo, L. Concepcion, G. Coronado, A.M. Diaz, L. Eco, L. Fallarme, D. V. Ferraro, J. Gaylan, M. Garde, L. Grajo, L. Hernandez,, E. Manliclic, D. Mumkaya, E. Nibeyro, V. Ortiz, N. Panganiban, C. Prager, E. Ramos, N. Tomskikh, A. Verbine.

President’s Report: Mr. Ferraro welcomed everyone. He noted the acquisition of two Fisher flat panel CD units for classroom use, one mounted on the wall in room 3. He asked for faculty feedback comparing the Fisher units to the Sony units.

Chair Reports

Computer Chair: E. Nibeyro reported that the computer faculty have been working together on computer maintenance. He reported an increased interest in Movie Maker and other Computer Graphics courses.

Academic Dean's Report

Dr. Prager provided an introduction to the new TOEFL exam, book, and materials to be discussed during the workshop. She reiterated the importance of coursework (ESL 5 and 6, Business English, and ARW) students need before TOEFL.

Workshop: TOEFL Next Generation iBT Test and Book

Workshop Materials:

· Longman’s NextGeneration iBT Text

· Companion Classroom and Student CDs

· Tracking Guides

· ETS’ TOEFL iBT Tips: How to prepare for the next generation TOEFL test

I. Overview: TOEFL Next Generation iBT Test and Book

· The TOEFL iBT Test

· The TOEFL iBT Book

· iBT Reading

· iBT Listening

· iBT Speaking

· iBT Writing

II. Instructional Support For Faculty and Students

III. Sample Test Items: Listening, Speaking, Writing, Reading Sections

IV. Practicing and Mastering Skills in ESL Classes:

See attached “Target Language Skills Development.” The attachment summarizes skills identified by faculty during the workshop as critical to the TOEFL iBT and ways to incorporate them into ESL teaching at all levels.