draft invitation on a Genuine Contact Program-inspired English language study electronic discussion group

[Raffi Aftandelian]

[apologies as this is x-post from the Genuine Contact electronic
discussion group]

Greetings all!

Below is a draft invitation of an electronic discussion group that I
am creating around the study of English. My intention was to use the
medicine wheel as the planning vehicle for drafting the invitation.

The intention of the discussion group is to create a space for
students and teachers to just *be* together. To enjoy each other's
company, to "hang" (to lie about, in US slang), to dialog
(superficially or deeply).

Might you comment on it if you have a chance, to help me tighten it
where necessary?

Maybe there are style and grammar mistakes here?

Thanks much!
Raffi


englishcircle

Welcome to englishcircle. This is an electronic discussion list for
students and teachers of English as a foreign language. It is also
open to any other interested people. I see this open space as a place
to just enjoy each other's company. It is also a place to drink tea or
coffee, eat cookies or fruit together. And it is a place for
potentially deep dialog between students and teachers of English as a
foreign language.

Why Englishcircle?
I think the best EFL learning takes place when we can demonstrate our
courage and slowly (or quickly) step out of our roles as students and
teachers and just be Ourselves...to the extent we feel we can.

Indeed, one of my most powerful EFL classes was a one-to-one class
where the student (quite unexpectedly) shared his thoughts on
spirituality for a whole hour nonstop. So important were those
thoughts, that *i* took 3 pages of notes. Never had he spoken so
crisply or clearly as in that lesson.

I feel we have many ideas about how the learning/teaching of English
takes place. Many questions still remain. My hope is that this space
will inspire people to ask the hard questions. My hope is that
teachers will rise to the challenge and try answering the questions
students have...and the other way around.

Circle guidelines
I do not want to prescribe any rules of behavior for this list. I
trust that participants will find their own way as to what is best
suited for this list.

In other words, while I am formally the owner of this group, my aim is
for people to find their own way in this space.

I do ask, however, that participants consider the following four principles
as guidelines in their attitude and in what they post on the
discussion group:

1. Show up and choose to be present.

2. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning.

3. Tell the truth without blame or judgment.

4. Be open to outcome, not attached to outcome.

Also, I trust that discussion group participants will use their judgment in
choosing to use languages other than English in posting here.

And finally, I would like to acknowledge those who brought me to
create this discussion group.

First, I wish to thank my parents (and my ancestors) for the wisdom, love, and knowledge they have passed on
to me. The more immediate inspirations for this discussion group are
the Genuine Contact Program (www.genuinecontact.net), Open Space
Technology (http://openspaceworld.org/), and the medicine wheel as
taught by Angeles Arrien (www.angelesarrien.com)

Wishing you joy and blessings in the Open Space of englishcircle.

Warmly,
Raffi Aftandelian


                          mailto:raffi at bk.ru

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