The British Council in the UAE

The British Council in the UAE is offering a series of workshops at the Emirates Airlines International Festival of Literature on Literature in Education & Writing and Performing for Young People

Poets Storytellers Teachers of Literature Teachers of English are invited to participate in various workshops on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February 2009 at the Dubai Festival City with leading UK practitioners

UK Poet, Valerie Bloom Valerie is a gentle, softly spoken, modest lady who you feel would shy away from the bright lights and large crowds of school children. On the contrary, when Val works with children she oozes charisma, mesmerises the children and has them eating out of her hand with her unique style of poetry, story telling and role-play. Val has been at the forefront of performance poetry in the UK for over 10 years and this achievement was recently recognised by Her Majesty the Queen when Val was awarded an MBE for services to poetry in December 2007. She is experienced in the classroom and runs courses for teachers and librarians as well as conducting writing and performance workshops in schools for all ages.

UK Storyteller, Alec Williams Alec works as a storyteller, trainer, consultant, writer and speaker. An enthusiast for children’s reading, his experience managing library services in the UK has given him an extensive knowledge of children’s books and the power of stories. Alec has written articles, spoken at conferences, and appeared on radio and television in the UK. He gives talks on the importance of children’s reading, and trains teachers, parents, librarians, and others. Alec tells stories to all ages, from nursery children to adult audiences. His repertoire includes traditional stories, poetry and contemporary books, and he’s worked in schools, libraries, museums, old people’s homes, shopping centres – and outdoors, in parks!

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). Valerie and Alec will perform to public at Dubai Festival City on Thursday 26 February from 7 to 9pm Workshop details

Poetry in Performance for Poets Friday 27th 10am-12pm Valerie will share how she mixes her poetry performance presentation to include music, 'rapping', chanting, drama, different style of languages (Jamaican patois) but above all else how she makes the whole experience totally interactive for her audience. Whether the audience is 5 years old or 105 years old, they are immediately drawn into Valerie's enchanting world of poetry. Participants will learn how to make their audiences fears and inhibitions disappear as they clap, chant, sing and explore the world of poetry.

Storytelling in the classroom for teachers Friday 27th 12:30-2:30pm Teachers will learn how storytelling can be an integral part of education at many levels. Led by Alec Williams, one of the UK’s leading storytellers, the session will cover building a repertoire, using both oral telling and picture books, practical techniques, planning a session, keeping children’s interest, interaction, and follow-up. The educational impact of stories will be explained – and there will chance to learn one or two stories to take away!

Poetry in the Classroom for teachers Friday 27th 3-5pm Teachers will learn how children can be inspired to write and appreciate poetry as poet Valerie Bloom shares her techniques for engaging children in the classroom. Valerie will show that even the most self conscious student can become involved in the magical world of poetry and how poetry can play an integral part in education - see for yourself how she makes poetry come alive!

Storytelling techniques for experienced storytellers Friday 27th 5:30-7:30pm This workshop will enable experienced local storytellers to meet one of the UK’s leading practitioners, and enrich their work by sharing good practice and learning new approaches. The session will cover building a repertoire, devising a programme, practical techniques, different audiences, interaction, and follow-up. There will be an opportunity to hear new stories, and share stories from both countries – and beyond!

Storytelling techniques for beginner storytellers Saturday 28th 2-5pm This workshop gives an introduction to storytelling from one of the UK’s leading practitioners. Whether you’ve tried some storytelling already, or even if you have never told stories before, this workshop will develop your confidence, and help you enjoy your story sessions. The workshop will cover developing a basic repertoire, telling both from memory and using picture books, practical hints and tips, different audiences, interaction, and follow-up. There will be an opportunity to hear new stories – and plenty of ideas to take away!

If you are interested please fill out the attached application form and send it by Saturday 21 February. Workshops are free. Certificates of Attendance are awarded to participants.

of 4 BC Workshops at EAIFL – application form

Registration Electronic copy [email protected] Return to or Printed copy + 971 4 4259 589

Participant information Name

Institution

Profession Please specify if you are a Poet, Experienced Number of years of Storyteller, Beginner Experience Storyteller, Teacher of Literature or Teacher of English

Nationality

Address and Contact Details

Full address

Telephone Mobile

Email address

Professional information Please provide more details of your profession

In addition, if you are an Artist (Poet or Storyteller,) please outline any experience in performing for students if you are a Teacher, please mention any experience of working with an Artist in the classroom

of 4 Please state why you are interested in attending the British Council’s workshop(s) at EAIFL

Participation in the BC Workshops/Events at EAIFL Friday 27 February – Morning The workshops will focus Poetry in Performance Workshop – 10 am to 12 pm – for Poets only on Literature in Education, and will Storytelling in the classroom Workshop– 12:30 to 2:30 pm – for Teachers of highlight the importance Literature and Teachers of English only of the role of the Artist in the Classroom Friday 27 February – Afternoon Poetry in the classroom Workshop– 3 to 5 pm – Teachers of Literature and Please tick Teachers of English only appropriately: Storytelling techniques Workshop– 5:30 to 7:30 pm – Professional Storytellers - Teachers can only only attend one session on Friday Saturday 28 February - Workshop participants are kindly requested to Storytelling techniques Workshop– 2 to 5 pm – Introduction to Mastering attend the Reception and Storytelling – Beginner Storytellers only the Panel Discussion on Reception and Award of Certificates – 5.30 to 6.30 pm – All participants of all Saturday workshops Discussion Panel – 6.30 to 7:45 pm – Workshops participants and Guests

Declaration I declare that the information I have provided in this application form is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct and complete.

Signature Date