This is the end of week 8 of our training and I can really feel that we are moving towards the wrapping up of our training. Boy, How enriching has it been since the beginning! Whatever disciples of the classical way of teaching think, I am convinced that the future of teaching is on the internet. It might take a lot of time but it will happen.

Basically, in the next few years, teachers, especially those who work in urban areas, who are computer-illiterate will have very tough times. This because their students who are younger than them and more exposed to technology will be able to predict the content of their course and carry out research on the content of the class and come to the classroom well-prepared to give the teacher a lot of trouble with questions.

Even our teaching methods must be adapted to the pedagogic "new deal". It is true that for some time now, almost everywhere in the world, teaching is student-centered and the communicative approach has been mostly valued. These two notions must also adapt to the new developments in the technology surrounding teaching. Students, at least those who are good users of the internet, can build their own learning objectives and even look for resources which can be of value to them. Tools like "Hot Potatoes" and others of the like are available to them, which means that they can even set their own tests and try them with one another. I think teachers who have technology at their fingertips must go deeper into thinking about how to make learners more responsible in their learning by encouraging them to start thinking like teachers. This is another way of enhancing their autonomy in their learning process. The obvious question is: are we not moving towards a no-teacher society? The obvious answer is "NO". There will always be teachers around!

Either we like it or not, as I previously said, it may take the time that it needs, we are moving towards cyber-teaching because we will be teaching very talented cyber-students. The technology they use in their pastime must be fully integrated. I was part of a seminar organized by the US State Department on a new program called "The Trace Effects" in which the teaching of English takes the form of a video game. I have not yet had the opportunity to try it with my students, but I think it is a big step forward in combining what our students like doing in their free time and school. To learn more about "The Trace Effects" go to:

http://americanenglish.state.gov/trace-effects

I will start dealing with my course mate Natali's draft project today and I am hoping to send back my feedback latest tomorrow.

I am really grateful to the American Embassy for having given me the opportunity to be part of this course and I still feel so much indebted to Robert Elliott and all his colleagues for the pedagogic strength they have provided us with.