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

[Therese Fitzpatrick]

Just a tiny bit of feedback, Raffi, and I aplogize in advance if I
sound like the lawyer I used to be . . . .  but I suggest that you
make it clear that the principles you list are quotes from Angeles'
book, The Fourfold Way.  I see that you acknowledge her work but
generally quotations are given clear attribution.

On 5/1/05, Raffi Aftandelian <raffi at bk.ru> wrote:
> [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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--
Warmly,
Therese Fitzpatrick

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