Rrezja journal

Festive parade in Prishtina,on the 620th anniversary of Skanderbeg's birth

2025-05-06T18:07:00.008+02:00

Skanderbeg (born Gjergj Kastrioti, c. 1405–1468) was an Albanian nobleman and military leader who became a national hero for his resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. As a child, Skanderbeg was taken hostage by the Ottomans and raised at the Sultan’s court, where he was converted to Islam and trained as a soldier. He served in the Ottoman army and earned the title Iskender Bey (meaning “Lord Alexander”), which later became Skanderbeg in Albanian. In 1443, during a battle in Central Europe, Skanderbeg deserted the Ottoman army and returned to Albania. He reclaimed his family’s castle in Krujë and declared independence from Ottoman rule. The following year, he helped form the League of Lezhë, an alliance of Albanian nobles united in resistance against the Ottomans. For over 25 years, Skanderbeg led a highly effective guerrilla campaign, winning key battles and preventing the Ottomans from fully conquering Albania. He became a symbol of Christian resistance in Europe and was admired by the Papacy and several European powers. He died in 1468 in the city of Lezhë. Although Albania eventually fell to the Ottomans after his death, Skanderbeg’s legacy endured. He remains Albania’s most celebrated historical figure and a symbol of national unity and resistance.

London

2025-02-19T22:43:00.005+01:00

Fazli Rrezja

At Heathrow Airport, hopes take flight,
Suitcases, hugs, departures bright.

At Reuters Plaza, raindrops fall,
People rush like waves so tall.

Canary Wharf, steel and glass,
The sky reflects as shadows pass.

Big Ben chimes, the hours ring,
Piccadilly lights up—such a thing!
Borough Market calls you near,
With scents and voices loud and clear.

Trafalgar Square, with lions bold,
Where history’s tales are proudly told.

Victoria Station, rush and cheer,
Trains await, no end is near.

On London Bridge, steps slow down,
While Thames’ waves hold secrets drowned.

In Hyde Park’s green, a breath of ease,
A moment’s rest beneath the trees.

London Bridge stands strong and wide,
With open doors like arms stretched wide.

Beneath the ground, The Tube’s alive,
Its colors swirl, the tunnels thrive.

A scent from Nizhni drifts in air,
On Jubilee Line, it lingers there.
As people travel,
As thoughts unravel,
As books are read,
As minds are fed...

Mind the Gap! Be sure to heed,
The city moves with endless speed.

------- Baltimore Baltimore wakes by the bay, Waves roll stories from far away. Old ships dock in the morning light, Echoes of history, calm and bright. Poe walks shadows, pen in hand, Writing truth we misunderstand. Each word he drops, a silent fire, Burning deep with dark desire. The market hums with heat and sound, Colors clash and joy is found. Crabs in hand, the spices bold, A taste of life in paper rolled. Hard Rock blasts a midnight song, Guitars scream loud, the nights are long. The streets, alive, they jump, they spin, This city's heart beats loud within. Orioles fly across the field, With every pitch, a dream revealed. The crowd erupts, the lights ignite— Baltimore shines bold and bright. Fazli Rrezja, Baltimore April 2016

SHKRONJAT NË LËVORE

2024-12-30T21:19:00.003+01:00

Nezir Rrezja (1942-1976)

Kaluan bukur do vjet e në mollëza më janë nisur do rrudha

Që zemra ime i ndien kur kapërcej rrugëve të thata.

Shi, pas këtyre moteve prapë më solli udha

T'i përshëndes me mall bregoret në Kodrat e Gjata.

Ditët po kalojnë një nga një e nuk ndalen dot do rrudha

Të më shikojnë deri ku kam ardhur e ku jam shkrirë:

T'i numëroj gëzimet e vogla shpesh mundohem kot

Se bleruar jam në livadhe në harresë pa u pirë.

U pashë një ditë me vetveten i zhytur në kujtime, thelle

E pyeta veten: kush jam, a jam ai i pari

Që po korr frytet që dikur i pata mbjellë

Me njëmijë vuajtje në shpirt, unë bimë fshatari.

Po, jam ai që dikur shumë kohë u rrezita në shpat

Me dele e lopë ku shpesh më rrahu shiu e bora

Po, miq, ju kem rrëfyer një herë kur qesh në fshat

E ju më pat thënë: Na kënaqe, të lumtë dora!

E sot e ndala gazin e heshtur t'i numëroj, do kujtime të lashta

Dhe pak vargje që shpirtin ma nxejnë t'a thur kësaj dite,

Si zogu çerdhen në pranverë kur e thur me baltë e kashta

Se fshatarët po më thonë: Dole në rrugë drite!

Barinjtë bjeshkëve shumë herë lexojnë në aha

Do shkronja në lëvore e mblidhen kokë më kokë.

Flasin për mua se dikur në këto kodra e rraha

Kam bredhur pas grigjes me fyell e brisk në shokë.

Tani, thonë, pat shkuar larg diku nëpër shkolla

E shihnin kur ndonjë mbrëmje arrinte në gji të fshatit

Atëherë kur në vjeshtë piqeshin pemët, kumbulla e molla

E prapë rrugës për në qytet me dorë na bënte prej shpatit.

You start dying slowly

2024-05-13T15:21:00.001+02:00

"You start dying slowly;

if you do not travel,

if you do not read,

If you do not listen to the sounds of life,

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly:

When you kill your self-esteem,

When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly;

If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths…

If you do not change your routine,

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly:

If you avoid to feel passion

And their turbulent emotions;

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly:

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain

If you do not go after a dream

If you do not allow yourself

At least once in your lifetime

To run away from sensible advice

Don't let yourself die slowly

Do not forget to be happy!"

Pablo Neruda, a Chilean poet awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971

Letra e Çarli Çaplinit dërguar së bijës, Geraldina natën e Krishtlindjes së vitit 1965

2023-12-25T21:28:00.001+01:00

Bija ime, Është natë. Nata e Krishtlindjes. Të gjitha rojet e kështjellës time të vogël i ka zënë gjumi. Flenë vëllai dhe motra jote. Edhe nëna jote tani fle. Vetëm zogjtë, sapo u zgjuan dhe të përgjumur u mblodhën tek kjo dhomë gjysmë e ndriçuar. Sa larg jam nga ti! Do të më kishte kapluar gjumi, sikur portreti yt, qoftë edhe vetëm për një çast, do të më hiqej nga sytë. Ai është këtu në tryezën time, ngjitur me zemrën time. Ku je ti? Larg, në Parisin e përrallave, në skenat e teatrove të mrekullueshme të Champs Elysees. Unë i njoh mirë ato skena. Në qetësinë e natës dëgjoj hapat e tua dhe shikoj sytë që të shkëlqejnë si yjet në qiellin dimëror. E ndjej, si e luan ti rolin e Bukuroshes Persiane, robinë e Khanit të tartarëve, në këtë spektakël festiv të shkëlqyer. Vazhdo të jesh e mirë dhe kërce! Vazhdo të jesh një yll dhe shkëlqe! Por, kur do të ndjesh se ovacionet dhe mirënjohja e publikut fillojnë të të dehin, apo kur aroma e kurorës me lule të freskëta do të ta mpijnë mendimin, ulu në një qoshe dhe lexo letrën time. Dëgjo zërin e babait tënd.

Unë jam babai yt, Geraldina! Unë jam Çarli, Çarli Çaplin! A e di ti sa net kam qëndruar tek shtrati yt, duke të treguar përralla për Bukuroshen e Fjetur dhe për dragonjtë, kur ti ishe fare e vogël ? Dhe kur gjumi m’i rëndonte qepallat e plakura, unë qeshja dhe i thosha: “ Largohu!

Gjumi im, këto janë ëndrrat e vajzës time! Unë fle me ëndrrat e saj!”

Unë i pashë ëndrrat e tua, Geraldina, pashë të ardhmen tënde, të pashë ty, sot. Unë pashë bijën duke kërcyer në skenë dhe si ajo u ngjit në qiell. Dëgjova publikun të thoshte:”Ej, shikojeni këtë vajzë? Ajo është vajza e gaztorit plak. E mbani mend, e quanin Çaplin?” Po, unë jam Çaplini! Gastori plak! Sot, është radha jote. Kërce! Unë kërceva me pantallona të gjera të shqyera, kurse ti kërcen me fustan të mëndafshtë princeshe. Këto kërcime dhe duartrokitjet e forta, gati të ngjitin në qiell. Fluturo! Fluturo atje! Por, zbrit edhe në tokë! Ti duhet të shohësh jetën e njerëzve, jetën e atyre valltareve të rrugës, që kërcejnë kur dridhen nga të ftohtit dhe uria. Unë isha si ato, Geraldina. Ishin ato netë të magjishme, kur ti flije e nanurisur nga përrallat e mia, e unë rija zgjuar. Shikoja mbi tre fytyrëzat, dëgjoja goditjet e zemrave tuaja dhe pyesja veten :” Çarli, a thua se këto kotele të njohin sadopak?” Ti nuk më njeh, Geraldina.

Shumë përralla të kam treguar në ato netë të largëta, por përrallën time – kurrë. Edhe ajo është interesante. Ajo është përralla e shakaxhiut të uritur, i cili këndoi dhe kërceu në lagjet e varfra të Londrës, dhe më pas mblidhte dashuri. Ja kjo është përralla ime! Unë dija ç’është uria dhe ç’është të mos kesh çati mbi krye. Akoma më shumë, unë provova dhimbjen poshtëruese të kërcimtarit shakaxhi, në gjoksin e të cilit ngrihej stuhia e urrejtjes në një oqean krenarie. Dhe.. këtë krenari, dhimbshëm, e plagosnin monedhat që hidheshin. Megjithatë, unë jetova. Por, le t’i lëmë këto. Më mirë le të flasim për ty. Pas emrit tënd Geraldina, është mbiemri im, Çaplin. Me këtë mbiemër, për më shumë se dyzet vjet unë hutova mendjet e njerëzve nëpër botë. Qava shumë, edhe pse ata qeshnin. Geraldina, në botën ku ti jeton nuk ka vetëm vallëzim dhe muzikë!. Në mesnatë, kur ti largohesh nga salla madhështore, ndodh t’i harrosh përkrahësit e tu të pasur, por mos harro të pyesësh për gruan e tij, shoferin e taksisë që të çon në shtëpi. Dhe.. në qoftë se ajo është shtatzënë dhe nuk ka para të blejë pelena për fëmijën që do t’u vijë, futi atij ca para në xhep. Herë pas here udhëto me metro ose autobus, ecë me këmbë dhe shiko qytetin Shiko njerëzit! Shiko vejushat dhe jetimët! Dhe.. qoftë edhe njëherë në ditë thuaj vetes: “Unë jam njësoj si ata”. Po, ti je njëra prej tyre, vajza ime!. Ka edhe më. Arti, përpara se t’i japë njeriut krahë që të fluturojë lart, zakonisht, i thyen atij këmbët. Dhe.. po qe se vjen një ditë kur ti do ta ndjesh veten mbi publikun, menjëherë, flake skenën. Me taksinë e parë shko në ndonjë nga zonat e Parisit. Unë i njoh ato shumë mirë! Atje do të shikosh shumë kërcimtare ashtu si ti, madje, më të bukura, më mirënjohëse dhe me krenari të madhe . Atje nuk janë dhe as mendohet të jenë dritat verbuese të prozhektorëve të teatrit tënd. Prozhektor për ato vajza është Hëna. Shiko mirë, vëzhgo! A nuk kërcejnë ato më mirë se ti? Mendo ndershmërisht, vajza ime! Gjithnjë do të ketë nga ato që vallëzojnë më mirë! Dhe mos harro: Në familjen Çarli nuk kishte njerëz pa zemër që të ofendonin taksistin, ose t’u zgërdhiheshin atyre që qëndronin në brigjet e Senës. Unë do të vdes, ti do të jetosh. Unë dua që ti të mos e njohësh, kurrë, varfërinë. Me këtë letër të dërgoj një bllok çeqesh, që të kesh mundësi të shpenzosh aq sa dëshiron. Por, kur të shpenzosh dy franga, mos harro që monedha e tretë nuk është e jotja.

Ajo i takon një njeriu të panjohur, që ka nevojë për të. Një të tillë, ti do ta gjesh kollaj. Mjafton të duash që t’i shikosh këta të varfër të panjohur dhe kudo, do të takosh të tillë. Unë flas me ti për paratë edhe pse e di forcën e tyre djallëzore. Unë kalova shumë kohë në cirk dhe gjithnjë u shqetësova shumë për pehlivanët në tel. Por më duhet të të them, se në tokën e fortë, njerëzit rrëzohen më shpesh, se pehlivanët në telin e lëkundshëm. Mund të ndodhë, që në një nga mbrëmjet e bujshme, ti të verbohesh nga shkëlqimi i brilanteve. Është, pikërisht, ky moment, që të vendos ti mbi telin e rrezikshëm, nga ku rrëzimi bëhet i paevitueshëm. Në një ditë të bukur mund të të shfaqet fytyra e bukur e një princi. Tamam, atë ditë, ti bëhesh një pehlivane pa eksperiencë, dhe…. ata pa eksperiencë bien ngaherë. Mos e shit zemrën tënde për flori dhe gjëra të shtrenjta. Ta dish, brilanti më i madh është dielli. Lumturisht, ai shkëlqen për të gjithë. Dhe.. kur të vijë koha që ti do të dashurosh, duhet ta duash atë njeri me gjithë zemër. Unë i thashë nënës tënde, që ajo të të shkruante lidhur me këtë. Ajo e kupton dashurinë më mirë nga unë, ndaj është më mirë që ajo të flasë me ty për këtë. Puna jote është e vështirë, unë këtë e di. Trupi yt mbulohet vetëm me pak mëndafsh.

Kënaqësia e artit mund të kërkojë që të shfaqesh në skenë edhe lakuriq, por duhet të kthehesh prej andej jo vetëm e veshur, por edhe më e pastër. Unë jam plak dhe fjalët e mia mund të tingëllojnë të çuditshme. Por, sipas meje, trupi yt i zbuluar, duhet t’u përkasë atyre që dashurojnë lakuriqësinë e shpirtit tënd. Mos u frikëso, po qe se kuptimi im për këtë çështje të duket shumë i vjetër dhe u përket kohëve të shkuara. Mos u tremb, këto dhjetë vjeçarë nuk të plakin ti. Por, unë dëshiroj që ti të jesh e fundit, prej atyre që do të bëhen qytetarë të ishullit të karkaculëve. Unë e di, që midis etërve dhe fëmijëve, gjithnjë, zhvillohet një duel. Unë luftoj me veten, me mendimet e mia, vajza ime! Nuk i dua fëmijët e nënshtruar. Ndërkaq, përpara se nga sytë e mi të pikojnë lot mbi këtë letër, unë dëshiroj të besoj, që kjo është nata Krishtlindjeve, nata e mrekullisë. Dua që të ketë ndodhur mrekullia dhe ti, vërtet, t’i kesh kuptuar të gjitha ato që dëshiroja të të thosha. Çarli tani u plak Geraldina. Shpejt ose vonë, në vend të fustanit të bardhë të skenës, do të të duhet të veshësh teshat e zisë, për të ardhur tek varri im. Tani, nuk dua të të shqetësoj më shumë. Vetëm, sa herë do të shihesh në pasqyrë, atje do të shikosh tiparet e mija. Në dejet e tua rrjedh gjaku im. Madje, edhe kur rrjedha e gjakut në arteriet e mia do të ketë ndaluar, unë dua që ti të mos e harrosh babain tënd, Çarli. Unë nuk kam qenë engjëll, por gjithnjë u përpoqa të jem njeri. Përpiqu edhe ti.

SENSES

2022-10-04T23:47:00.004+02:00

Seagull, Seagull! Flying high

Have you seen her grey-blue eye?

Have you felt that genius look?

Like a Lynmouth splashing brook

Seagull,Seagull! Flying low

Have you heard her squawking by the Taw?

Have you tasted Devon pasty,

Thatcher cider or a pint of shandy

Seagull,Seagull! Wailing loud

Please, don’t wake me tonight

I am having a weary dream

Chirp a bit, go to Instow, and have an ice cream

Seagull, Seagull! Flying solo

Was your pride hurt!

Oh, come on! Bright is tomorrow

Clap your wings through a Barnstaple balmy wind

Grab, flap, and squawk, you’re free, do anything!

Poem by: Fazli Rrezja

(Summer 2019, Barnstaple, England)

======================================

A STRUCTURED CRITIQUE FOCUSING ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE POEM SENSES BY FAZLI RREZJA:

1. Title and Theme

• Title: The title Senses is highly fitting, as the poem immerses the reader in a sensory experience. The senses of sight, sound, taste, and touch are all evoked through the speaker's interaction with the seagull and the coastal landscape.

•Theme: The poem explores the idea of freedom, particularly through the figure of the seagull, who is depicted as free and unburdened. The speaker, in contrast, hints at weariness or longing for a simpler existence. There's a dynamic interplay between the human world and the bird’s world, offering reflections on nature and a subtle yearning for liberation.

2. Structure and Form

•The poem is written in free verse with no fixed rhyme or meter, allowing the speaker to engage in a fluid conversation with the seagull. This open structure works well for the tone and content of the poem, which is playful and spontaneous.

•The repetition of "Seagull, Seagull!" creates a rhythmic quality that reinforces the relationship between the speaker and the bird, while also giving the poem a sense of chanting or a call to attention.

•Suggestions: The structure works overall, though at times the pace feels slightly uneven. For example, the shift from playful inquiry to introspective reflection in "Please, don’t wake me tonight" feels abrupt. A smoother transition could improve the flow of the poem.

3. Language and Style

•Tone: The tone is casual, friendly, and conversational. The speaker engages directly with the seagull, using direct address ("Seagull, Seagull!") and asking questions that seem both curious and affectionate.

•Language Choices: The language is simple yet vivid. There is a sense of ease in how the speaker moves from one sensory experience to the next. Phrases like "grey-blue eye," "squawking by the Taw," and "a pint of shandy" vividly capture the essence of the coastal setting.

4. Imagery and Sensory Detail

•The poem excels in sensory imagery, vividly evoking the environment of Lynmouth and its surroundings:

Sight: The description of the seagull’s “grey-blue eye” and the idea of it flying high or low creates a strong visual presence for the bird.

Sound: The seagull’s “wailing loud” and “squawking by the Taw” anchor the poem in sound, enhancing the liveliness of the seagull’s presence.

Taste: References to “Devon pasty,” “Thatcher cider,” and a “pint of shandy” ground the poem in the tastes of the region, adding to the authenticity and sense of place.

Touch: The line “Clap your wings through a Barnstaple balmy wind” evokes a tactile feeling, offering a sensory connection to the air and environment the seagull inhabits.

5. Themes and Meaning

•Freedom vs. Weariness: The poem contrasts the seagull’s carefree existence with the speaker’s weary tone in parts of the poem. The line “Please, don’t wake me tonight” suggests a moment of introspection or fatigue, which stands in stark contrast to the seagull's wild, unencumbered energy.

•Connection with Nature: The speaker seems to view the seagull almost as a kindred spirit, asking it about its actions and emotions. This anthropomorphizing of the bird, such as asking about its pride or emotions, invites the reader to consider the seagull's world through a human lens.

•Reflection on Human Experience: The poem captures a certain emotional complexity beneath the playful surface. There is a gentle longing in the speaker's words—a wish to be as free as the seagull, to let go of life's worries and to embrace a simpler, more liberated existence.

6. Strengths

•Vivid Sensory Experience: The poem shines in its sensory exploration of place, making the coastal environment feel immediate and tangible. Through sight, sound, and taste, the reader can almost experience the locations and emotions the speaker encounters.

•Tone and Playfulness: The casual, friendly tone creates a lighthearted atmosphere that draws the reader in. The playful interaction between the speaker and the seagull feels both humorous and endearing.

•Effective Use of Repetition: The repeated refrain "Seagull, Seagull!" creates rhythm and draws attention to the key subject of the poem, reinforcing the connection between the two characters.

7. Conclusion

'Senses' by Fazli Rrezja is a vibrant, playful poem that effectively captures the sensory details of the coastal environment and the free-spirited nature of the seagull. The poem's strong imagery, colloquial tone, and reflective moments invite readers to consider their connection to nature and the idea of freedom.

Summertime!

2022-08-02T02:39:00.003+02:00

‘Summertime’ Acrylic Painting 120x70cm

MOS I’U LIGSHTO AQ LEHTË VDEKJES / DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

2022-06-30T17:32:00.018+02:00

POEZIA E SHKRIMTARIT UELLSIAN DYLAN THOMAS: ‘DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT’ E SHQIPËRUAR NGA FAZLI RREZJA

MOS I’U LIGSHTO AQ LEHTË DEKËS                                    

Mos i’u ligshto aq lehtë dekës!                                                                       
N’pleqni. Ee! mas’m’rami.
Mos hjek dorë,përçartu, në çdo rrudhë t'ballit.  Xixa shkrepi jetës

Pleqtë e mequm,  e dinë se deka  e mirë asht, kur asht me ren'
Por, kur amaneti s’zënë ven',
Qojnë krye. Rr’fimin se lajnë n’udhë, se shpirti rahat s’u flen

Njerëz't e mirë,  kur bje valë e madhe, gjëmojnë
Edhe n'orë t'funit,  kujtojnë, najsen me m'rri
Idhnohen. Bahen zjarm. Bishtnimet e territ, aq lehtë s’mujnë m'i përbi

Njerëz't e guximshëm, që e hangrën kët jetë e dillit i k'nuen,
Tek, vonë! e marrin vesh, se ky dill i praruem zajftohet n'perëndim
Por, bahen luftarë, e të mramën  s’e presin me dorëzim.

Njerëz't e pikëlluem, me ni kam' buzë vorrit,
Me sy t'vërbuem, si flakrim meteori, gulojnë gjallni
Edhe ata forcohen, bahen shkamb, e dinë se dekes s’i merret lakmi

Edhe ti, baba im,  në afrinë e trishtë t'dekës,
Mallkom, e bekom, bashkë me lumin e lotëve, të lutna.
Mos i’a lehto terrin vetës.
Përpjeku, guxo, në buzqeshjen tane, shkrepi dritë jetës.

Shqipëroi: Fazli Rrezja

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

FILMA QË NDËRTOJNË AFTËSITË THEMELORE TË SHEKULLIT 21

2022-06-28T16:16:00.000+02:00

Formati i punëtorisë u krijua për të nxitur diskutim pëmes shfaqjeve të filmave, si dhe filma që mund të përfshihen në aktivitetet shkollore kurrikulare dhe ekstrakurrikulare. Punëtoria filloi me shfaqjen e filmit Amanda Rose Wilder ‘Approaching the Elephant’, një dokumentar me nuanca dhe pasion, për vitin e parë të një shkolle fillore “të lirë” në New Jersey, që zbulon lavditë dhe kufizimet e klasave të pastrukturuara dhe bazohet në parimin e vetërregullimit të nxënësve.

Ky dokumentar, ku fëmijët shkruajnë rregullat e tyre nga themeli dhe kanë barazi me mësuesit, nxiti një debat mbi zgjidhjen e konflikteve dhe edukimin mediatik. Me udhëheqjen e ligjëruesve Kaltrina Kelmendi nga Departamenti i Psikologjisë dhe Alban Zeneli nga Departamenti i Gazetarisë të Universitetit të Prishtinës, diskutimet u fokusuan në identifikimin e mjeteve për zgjidhjen e konflikteve dhe prezantuan konceptin e shkrim-leximit mediatik si një çelës që zhbllokon kuptimin prapa mesazheve që shohim dhe për të zbatuar mendimin kritik mes mesazheve mediatike.
Trajnimi ofroi gjithashtu një mundësi për mësimdhënësit që të shikojnë fituesin e Balkan Dox të edicionit XX të DokuFest, ‘‘Reconciliation’ nga Marija Zidar, e cila arriti të shfaqë të gjithë fenomenin e gjakmarrjes dhe përpjekjeve për pajtim ndërmjet familjeve, të dyja kto me rrënjë në kodin e lashtë fisnor në malet e izoluara të Shqipërisë së Veriut. Regjisorja e filmit iu bashkua seminarit dhe ndau këndvështrimin dhe pikëpamjen e saj mbi temat e përfshira në filmin e saj me mësimdhënësit. Marija Zidar i ka dhuruar filmin e saj Bibliotekës Digjitale të Mësimdhënësve të DokuFest, një burim i hapur arsimor për mësuesit e shkollave të mesme.
Gjatë këtij seminari, mësimdhënësit do të kenë mundësinë të shikojnë dokumentarin gjithëpërfshirës të Aleksandër Nanaut ‘Toto and His Sisters’, i cili është një vështrim i fuqishëm i vëllezërve dhe motrave në një lagje të varfër të Bukureshtit që nuk kanë gjasa të shpëtojnë nga kontrolli i drogës, varfërisë dhe një nëne monstruoze. Shfaqja e filmit vazhdohet nga një diskutim interaktiv me Eroll Shportën, autorin e librit ‘Veç edhe Sot’, ku ai përshkruan përvojën personale të një përdoruesi droge që kalon një dekadë me luftën e përditshme të varësisë së tij. Diskutimi i tij do të fokusohet në rritjen e ndërgjegjësimit, që mësuesit të fitojnë njohuri se si t’i qasen kësaj teme me studentët e tyre.
Kjo punëtori është pjesë e një programit ‘Shkollat dhe Dokumentarët’ të mbështetur nga National Endowment for Democracy, që synon të zgjerojë rrjetin e mësuesve përmes edukimit multimedial. Nëpërmjet këtij procesi të lehtësuar, mësuesit trajnohen për të zhvilluar udhëzues filmash në përputhje me Kornizën e Kurrikulës së Kosovës, që do të përdoren si Bibliotekë Digjitale e Mësimdhënësve online dhe offline dhe do të vihen në dispozicion përmes departamentit DokuLab të DokuFest. Udhëzuesit e filmit do të përdoren si një mjet nga mësues të tjerë, kryesisht në shkollat publike për të arritur një gamë të gjerë të rezultateve efektive të të nxënit në përdorimin e tyre të filmit.
Edukimi i shkrim-leximit mediatik si një aftësi thelbësore e shekullit të 21-të është kritike për shëndetin dhe mirëqenien e të rinjëve, si dhe pjesëmarrjen e ardhshme në jetën qytetare dhe ekonomike të demokracisë sonë. (Source: https://dokufest-lab.com/lajme/films-that-build-the-essential-skills-of-the-21st-century (

Biblioteka Digjitale e Mësimdhënësve

2022-06-28T15:05:00.002+02:00

https://dokufest-lab.com/

Platformë virtuale me materiale didaktike për përdorimin e filmit në klasë në përputhje me Kornizën Kurrikulare të Republikës së Kosovës. Krijoni një llogari për qasje të pakufizuar në Bibliotekën Digjitale me mbi 150 filma dhe 80 fleta të punës për përdorimin e filmit në klasë.

Duke u regjistruar në Bibliotekë do të keni qasje në filma dhe materiale përcjellëse arsimore me të cilat nxënësit zhvillojnë njohuritë, shkathtësitë, qëndrimet dhe prirjet që janë të domosdoshme për një shoqëri demokratike. Kjo ndihmon që të zhvillojnë të kuptuarit e tyre mbi botën, njerëzit, vlerat e tyre, proceset shoqërore në kohë, vende dhe rrethana të ndryshme. Gjithashtu, nëpërmjet kësaj fushe ata zhvillojnë edhe të kuptuarit e tyre për mjedisin e vet dhe më gjerë.

Për qasje të plotë në bibliotekë, Kyqu ose krijo Llogari të re.

(Source: dokufest-lab.com)

Jean Baudrillard about New York

2022-06-20T21:21:00.002+02:00

In New York there is this double miracle: each of the great buildings and each of the ethnic groups dominates or has dominated the city - after its own fashion. Here crowdedness lends sparkle to each of the ingredients in the mix whereas elsewhere it tends to cancel out differences. In Montreal, all the same elements are present - ethnic groups, buildings, and space on the grand American scale - but the sparkle and violence of American cities are missing.

Clouds spoil our European skies. Compared with the immense skies of America and their thick clouds, our little fleecy skies and little fleecy clouds resemble our fleecy thoughts, which are never thoughts of wide open spaces. . . In Paris, the sky never takes off. It doesn't soar above us. It remains caught up in the backdrop of sickly buildings, all living in each other's shade, as though it were a little piece of private property. It is not, as here in the great capital New York, the vertiginous glass facade reflecting each building to the others. Europe has never been a continent. You can see that by its skies. As soon as you set foot in America, you feel the presence of an entire continent - space there is the very form of thought.

By contrast with the American 'downtown areas' and their blocks of skyscrapers, la Défense has forfeited the architectural benefits of verticality and excess by squeezing its high-rise blocks into an Italian-style setting, into a closed theatre bounded by a ring-road. It is very much a garden à la française: a bunch of buildings with a ribbon around it. All this has closed off the possibility that these monsters might engender others to infinity, that they might battle it out within a space rendered dramatic by their very competition (New York, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Toronto). It is in such a space that the pure architectural object is born, an object beyond the control of architects, which roundly repudiates the city and its uses, repudiates the interests of the collectivity and individuals and persists in its own madness. That object has no equivalent, except perhaps the arrogance of the cities of the Renaissance.

No, architecture should not be humanized. Anti-architecture, the true sort (not the kind you find in Arcosanti, Arizona, which gathers together all the 'soft' technologies in the heart of the desert), the wild, inhuman type that is beyond the measure of man was made here - made itself here - in New York, without considerations of setting, well-being, or ideal ecology. It opted for hard technologies,

exaggerated all dimensions, gambled on heaven and hell. . . Eco-architecture, eco- society . . . this is the gentle hell of the Roman Empire in its decline.

Modern demolition is truly wonderful. As a spectacle it is the opposite of a rocket launch. The twenty-storey block remains perfectly vertical as it slides towards the centre of the earth. It falls straight, with no loss of its upright bearing, like a tailor's dummy falling through a trap-door, and its own surface area absorbs the rubble. What a marvellous modern art form this is, a match for the firework displays of our childhood.

They say the streets are alive in Europe, but dead in America. They are wrong. Nothing could be more intense, electrifying, turbulent, and vital than the streets of New York. They are filled with crowds, bustle, and advertisements, each by turns aggressive or casual. There are millions of people in the streets, wandering, carefree, violent, as if they had nothing better to do - and doubtless they have nothing else to do - than produce the permanent scenario of the city. There is music everywhere; the activity is intense, relatively violent, and silent (it is not the agitated, theatrical activity you find in Italy). The streets and avenues never empty, but the neat, spacious geometry of the city is far removed from the thronging intimacy of the narrow streets of Europe.

In Europe, the street only lives in sudden surges, in historic moments of revolution and barricades. At other times people move along briskly, no one really hangs around (no one wanders any more). It is the same with European cars. No one actually lives in them; there isn't enough space. The cities, too, do not have enough space, or rather that space is deemed public and bears all the marks of the public arena, which forbids you to cross it or wander around it as though it were a desert or some indifferent area.

The American street has not, perhaps, known these historic moments, but it is always turbulent, lively, kinetic, and cinematic, like the country itself, where the specifically historical and political stage counts for little, but where change, whether spurred by technology, racial differences, or the media, assumes virulent forms: its violence is the very violence of the way of lif

(SOURCE: America. by Jean Baudrillard)

Kosova Sunshine Adventures

2022-06-20T19:15:00.002+02:00

https://www.facebook.com/KosovaSunshineAdventures

FREE - Coming of Age at the End of History- LEA YPI

2021-12-12T22:18:00.002+01:00

I never asked myself about the meaning of freedom until the day I hugged Stalin. From close up, he was much taller than I expected.'

Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.

Then, in December 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.

Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/320/320869/free/9780241481851.html

Kosova Collage (The best of the best)

2021-12-08T22:00:00.000+01:00

Whoever controls the media, 'manipulates' the behaviour of young crowds!

2021-11-14T22:53:00.005+01:00

by Fazli Rrezja

The famous singer of the group 'The Doors' Jim Morrison, once said: ‘Whoever controls the media, controls the mind’ , although Morrison is no longer alive, this phrase has become a reality, Perceptions in our minds are largely created by the fourth, but most powerful power, the Media!

'Adobe Stock'

Every morning, young people just wake up checking social media, bombarded with information, messages, e-mails, news, propaganda, fake news, and other incentives that often create the feeling that today has started with a load of information. Young people should use the morning to improve themselves, to work towards their goals, to prepare for a successful day by engaging in activities such as reading, meditation, study, prioritizing tasks, physical activity, and a healthy breakfast to kick off a quiet day on the way to school.

The author of 'Lonely Together', Sherry Turkle, a social psychologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says that ‘People today are more connected to one another than ever before in human history, thanks to Internet-based social networking sites and text messaging. But they’re also more lonely and distant from one another in their unplugged lives. This is not only changing the way we interact online, but it’s also straining our personal relationships, as well’.

The University of Gothenburg in Sweden shows the effects of using 'smartphones' on people in their 20s over a year. The study showed that high phone use is directly linked to increased rates of depression in both men and women. The study says ‘All qualitative variables had cross-sectional associations with mental health outcomes. In prospective analysis, overuse was associated with stress and sleep disturbances for women, and high accessibility stress was associated with stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression for both men and women’. and this is worrying in our country such studies have not been done yet, but, would this study turn out differently!?

All of us are witnessing a massive load of information through social media. The way we live is shaped by the dizzying power of the media, both positively and negatively. Why, young people find it difficult to determine what is true information and what is false?. Without a doubt! It is the lack of media education that according to the American education organization is defined as ‘Media Literacy is a 21st-century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of the media in society, as well as the essential research and self-expression skills necessary for the citizens of a democracy.

Media literacy, as a concept for critical thinking, would help young people in Kosovo build an objective discourse by reading and analyzing information from ‘healthy’ perspectives. French Sociologist Jean Baudrillard, says ‘The hyperreality of communication and of meaning. More real than the real, that is how the real is abolished.’

Whereas, those who have watched the documentary 'Social Dilemma', should probably worry! because the documentary describes how social media, every day, affects the vulnerability of teens who use platforms like Tik-Tok Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and other applications creating a complex mindset dependent on media influences. The documentary provides an in-depth overview of how social media nurtures addictions, manipulates the views, emotions, and behaviors of young people, and spreads conspiracy theories. But what is the benefit for the youth in our country? since the detection of misinformation and false news is very challenging. Currently, this kind of misinformation has been added more than ever. For teachers and parents who teach students/children what is true and what is not, it can be tricky, but it is important for them to understand that just because something is online does not mean it is true.

Propaganda and fake news are one of the biggest challenges of our era. Craig Newmark School of Journalism at New York City University in a publication tries to teach us how not to be fooled by information. Research says that when we read a news story, we should be skeptical and consider the source; headlines can be sensational in trying to get clicks; discover the author: do a quick search for the author; is it reliable? is it true? Check the date; reposting old news does not mean that they are relevant to current events; ask the site and author to make sure; consider whether it may affect your judgment. Ask the experts or consult an official fact-checking website.

There are many benefits for young people who understand media education. First of all, it helps students become smarter consumers and responsible producers of their media. According to the American non-profit organization 'Common Sense Media for Education', media education is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they are sending. The digital revolution has given rise to a whole range of ways that people can become ostracized by their group or society, from cyberbullying and addictions to radicalization. Teachers and parents, along with their children, need to be provided with innovative opportunities and pedagogical resources to meet these new challenges, through schools, the workplace, and the community at large.

Beneficial developments for media education in Kosovo have been made by the Network of English Language Teachers in Kosovo (KetNet), by training teachers in critical thinking, debate development, and media literacy. Also, the OSCE mission in cooperation with the most famous short documentary festival in the country DokuFest. Their program has included teachers in the fields of languages and communication, arts, society, environment, and civic education in the workshop on the use of media education in teaching. This workshop aims to strengthen the skills of teachers in media education, using documentary film as a learning unit to enable and educate students to understand more fundamentally different topics, concepts, and cultural problems. ‘The focus will be on the lifelong learning perspective, with particular attention to evaluate the credibility of information, fact-checking, effective and conscientious consumption of information, e-learning and the ability to utilize new digital technologies’.

Every moment, we produce and consume news. The Internet, in addition to being used for communication and education, has also become the largest platform for disseminating news, hate speech, and propaganda. The pervasive development of social media, the massive flow of fake news is changing the way we create perceptions about ourselves and the lives of others. The Ministry of Education should consider including media education as a subject on its own, while schools, teachers, parents, civil society should create different platforms and applications that help primary and secondary school students understand how to use media literacy for educational and scientific purposes.

A Facebook magnate Mark Zuckerberg said that ‘Virtual reality was once a science fiction dream. The future is coming'.

Hopefully, for a future where young people have the skills of media literacy to understand a reality, and not to dive into the ‘virtual reality’, towards which we are moving at the speed of light.

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References

Navraj Narula , Never Judge an Article by its Title: An Exploratory Analysis of Headlines for Real and Fakes News Articles, Department of Journalism Columbia University – New York, USA , page 1, last updated 10.20.2021, http://navierula.github.io/papers/narula_newsheadlines.pdf

Michael Price QUESTIONNAIRE Alone in the crowd American Psychological Association June 2011, Vol 42, No. 6 https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/06/social-networking Thomée, S., Härenstam, A., & Hagberg, M. (2011). Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults--a prospective cohort study. BMC public health, 11, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-66

Media Literacy: A Definition and More, Center for Media Literacy , last updated: 11.01.2021 https://www.medialit.org/media-literacy-definition-and-more

Baudrillard Jean, Simulacra and simulation , page 81, Originally published in French by Editions Galilee 1981

Misinformation and Disinformation: Thinking Critically about Information Sources, Research Guide adapted by the Research Center at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, Last Updated: Sep 14, 2021 9:38, https://library.csi.cuny.edu/misinformation

News and Media Literacy, American non-profit organization 'Common Sense Media for Education', Last updated 10.01.2021 11:23 PM, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/what-is-media-literacy-and-why-is-it-important

Digital Citizenship Education Handbook, Council of Europe, Page 34, Council of Europe Publishing, January 2019, http://book.coe.int

Teachers Workshop, International Documentary and Short Film Festival DokuFest, Last Updated: Nov 10, 2021 10:18, https://dokufest.com/en/news/call-for-applications

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Also published in:

https://www.gazetaexpress.com/edukimi-mediatik-i-domosdoshem-per-dilemat-sociale/

https://telegrafi.com/edukimi-mediatik-si-domosdoshmeri-per-zgjidhjen-e-dilemave-sociale/

Photo festival

2021-08-20T23:47:00.001+02:00

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A post shared by Tirana Photo Festival (@tiranaphotofestival)

QUOTES

2021-05-28T20:25:00.003+02:00

Fazli’s quotes

"Frozen finger shot brings the warmest picture"— Fazli Rrezja

Goodreads Quotes

English Video Lesson: FESTIVITIES

2021-05-28T19:35:00.007+02:00

ENGLISH VIDEO LESSON: FESTIVITIES

Free standardized English language test online

2021-05-28T19:01:00.008+02:00

CLICK HERE to get free English language test certificate

Click here to get free English language test certificate

Authentic Acrylic Art

2021-01-11T22:24:00.005+01:00

Check the link

'The Unbroken Dardan' Acrylic painting in canvas 120x70 cm. Painted by Fazli Rrezja

HIKING ADVENTURES IN KOSOVA MOUNTAINS

2016-12-11T13:40:00.001+01:00

Kosova Sunshine Adventures

Skarpa, Sharr Mountain 2474m ( Oct 29, 2017)

Konjusha,Sharr Mountain 2571m ( May 14, 2017)

Mirusha Waterfalls ( April 2, 2017)

Kabash Mountain, Prizren 1945 m ( March 27, 2017)

Skarpa, Sharr Mountain 2474 m ( March 5, 2017)

Bullac Mountain Peak 1612 m ( February 12, 2017)

Pashaqeshme Mountain ( January 2, 2017)

Oshlak Mountain peak 2212 m (December 26, 2016)

Pashtrik Mountain peak 1986 m ( December 11, 2016)

Guzhbaba Mountain peak 2604 m (November 27, 2016)

Piribreg Mountain peak 2524 m (November 20, 2016)

Albanian eagle reflection in the clouds- Shar Mountains

A view from Piribreg Peak, Sharr Mountains

Sunset view from Sharr mountains

Oshlak ,Pashtrik, Kogja Ballkan and Albanian alps

Enjoying the view from Piribreg mnt peak

Uji i Gropuar-Koxha Ballkan Mountains (November 13, 2016)

Amazing sky, mountains and air- Sharr Mountains

A Canker Rose and Zatriqi Mountains seen from Uji i gropuar

'The goal' in Novosela village

Suhareka and Kazniku Peak

Cvilen-Prizren

Sharr Mountains covered with snow

Prizren City at night- mountain viewpoint

Guri i Zi, Cvilen and Koretnik Mountain peaks

Sharr Mountains

Koretnik -Maja e Pikellimes 2393m (November 7, 2016)

Rudoka peak seen from Koretnik mountains

Maja e Pikellimes Peak

Pashtrik Mountain seen from Maja e Pikellimes peak

Sharr Mountains seen from Koretnik

Autumn in Koretnik-Sharr Mountains

A view from Maja e Pikellimes peak (Kukes city, White and Black Drin Rivers, and a Part of Gjallica Mountains

The Great Rudoka peak 2658 m (October 30, 2016)

Wild goats in Sharr Mountains

Rudoka peak seen from the crystal clear mountain spring

A view from the Great Rudoka - The highest mountain peak in Sharr Mountains

Sheeps and a shepherd in Brod Mountains

Lubinje - Kobilica Peak 2528 m (October 25, 2016)

Sharr Mountain's black peak seen from Lubinje forests

Deep into the Lubinje forests

Unspoilt forests of Lubinje

Lubinje women spend a great deal of riding horses to the forest to collect firewood

Colorful autumn in Lubinje forests

Kobilica Mountain peak seen from Upper Lubinje village

Vrtop Mountain Peak 2555 m (June 2013)

Zli Potok Mountains (June 7, 2009 )

A view from the Prizren castle

2016-12-08T18:25:00.000+01:00

A view from the castle

REFLECTING FORWARD: 50 YEARS OF TESOL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

2016-05-02T00:03:00.000+02:00

Maryland’s largest city , Baltimore, is known for its magnificent inner harbour, Edgar Alan Poe, The Orioles baseball team and delicious Crabs. This colorful and diverse city was the next stop in my ELT endless journey.

Author: Fazli Rrezja

I had the opportunity to participate and present at the 50th anniversary of TESOL International Convention & English Language Expo, one of the largest gatherings of English language teachers in the world, which was held in April in Baltimore, Maryland USA. The act of walking into the Baltimore Convention Center, for the first, was itself a unique and life changing experience. Being in this linguistic cosmopolitan venue, among more than 6000 ELT professionals and 122 exhibitors, I was tremendously excited to learn through presentations from teachers all accros the globe. After the long flight crossing the Atlantic Ocean, I could not escape the jet leg, but the huge and diverse ELT community in TESOL International Convention still inspired and energized me. In this event, there were about one thousand sessions and it was impossible to attend all of them, however I was able to take part in many inspiring sessions, workshops and keynotes. I was part of a group presentation with nine other english teachers from Southeastern Europe. Our presentation aimed at sharing the experiences of being part of the course ‘English for Journalists -The Little MOOC That Could’. This course offered by UC Berkeley and www.edx.org, was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and developed in partnership with the RELO in Central and Southeastern Europe, the Voice of America, and English language educators across Central and Eastern Europe.

My conference anticipation was magnified during plenary sessions by three keynote presentations. The first plenary presentation of Aziz Abu Sarah, ‘Revolutionizing Education: Building Peace in a Divided World’ was beyond the scope of English teaching. His talk, based on his experience as a teacher, in very simple terms gave the message that teachers can help students to open their minds to prosperity, overcome cultural diferences, break the walls of fear and think out of the box, beyond politics and religion. ‘Reflecting Forward, Reflecting Back: Looking in the Mirror at 50’ was the next presidential Keynote by Andy Curtis, the 50th president of TESOL International Association. This plenary was thought-provoking which pointed out the idea of reflective practice of teachers based on the questions: What has changed in English language teaching and learning, how did we get here and where are we going? The last keynoteby Anne Curzan ‘Survey Says . .. : Determining What English Usage Is and Isn’t Acceptable’ emphasized how english has changed over the past five hundred years. She talked about the usage panel who decides on new english words and highlighted that language is always changing and in this aspect, therefore even native speakers struggle with issues related to usage of language.

It is always a pleasure to see familiar faces when you are far away from home. At the conference I met two former English language fellows whose poster presentations I enjoyed. Beside the conference, I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the small museum house and grave of my favorite American writer Edgar Allan Poe at the grounds of Westminster Hall. On my last day I visited Baltimore harbour, filled with ships and was impressed as I walked into ‘United States Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter’, known as the last ship floating that fought in the attack on Pearl Harbour.

On my way back home, I had extra luggage with me: a luggage full of enlightenment and wonderful memories. Reflecting on my conference time, I figured out that TESOL has created many outstanding opportunities for English language professionals in the field and has significantly contributed to English language development, an evolution that touches me and the lives of all scholars, worldwide.

English for Jounalists

2016-03-01T20:01:00.000+01:00

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/kosovo/312585/2015/English4Journalists.pdf
https://www.edx.org/course/english-journalists-key-concepts-uc-berkeleyx-colwri15-1x
http://aab-edu.net/en/english-journalists-blended-media-course-pilot/
http://www.urchance.org/summerwinter-schools/2084/english-for-journalists-blended-media-course-in-kosovo
http://www.trainingsnews.com/english-for-journalists-blended-media-course-in-kosovo/

English for Journalists

Description

Deadline: 30 March 2016
Open to: currently employed, early- to mid- career and practicing journalists
Venue: 12 April- 20 June 2016, American Corners in Pristina, Prizren and Mitrovica, Kosovo

In the first phase will cover following topics: The job of the journalist, Ethics in journalism, Inclusive journalism, Local vs. global journalism and Citizen Journalism;

The modules in the second phase will cover following topics: Free speech, Sports writing and broadcast, Humor and satirical news writing, Science and technology in journalism and Media trends.

Eligibility

Currently employed, early- to mid- career and practicing journalists;

Citizens/residents of Kosovo;

Have at minimum an intermediate (B1) level of English language proficiency;

Be able to dedicate 5 hours per week over the 10-week period on the course;

Be able to participate both online and attend face to face sessions once a week with course facilitators.

Costs

How to Apply?

CV;

Motivation Letter;

Brief video self-introduction (must be submitted as a youtube or vimeo link);

Report from the Diagnostic English Proficiency Test received at the EducationUSA – American Advising Center.

This innovative 10-week course couples online learning with face-to-face meetings to maximize learning possibilities. This program was designed by English teaching and journalism professionals from Kosovo and nine Central and Southeastern European countries along with experts from Voice of America and the University of California at Berkeley. The course will run from April 12 – June 20, 2016 at American Corner in Pristina (located in the National Library of Kosovo), American Corner in Prizren (located in the Inter-municipal Library in Prizren), and American Corner in Mitrovica (located in the Public Library ‘Vuk Karadzic”in Mitrovica). By the end of this course, participants can expect to have a greater knowledge of critical journalistic activities, and the English language skills and abilities required to perform them.

The course is divided into two phases:

Programme is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, University of California Berkeley and developed in partnership with the Regional English Language Office in Central and Southeastern Europe and the Voice of America. This program will be implemented in close cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Pristina, American Corners, EdUSA – American Advising Centre, Kosovalive News Agency and the English Language Fellow.

If you are interested please send your application to kosovoedexchanges@state.gov and english4journalists@gmail.com. Application package must include:

CV;

Motivation Letter;

Brief video self-introduction (must be submitted as a youtube or vimeo link);

Report from the Diagnostic English Proficiency Test received at the EducationUSA – American Advising Center.

YOU HAVE MADE IT TO A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!

2015-11-02T23:31:00.000+01:00

The 25th International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference in Budapest (9-11 October 2015)

Author: Fazli Rrezja

Due to the support of the Regional English Language Office (R.E.L.O.) based in Hungary, I was able to attend the 25th International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference in Budapest. Attending this conference, entitled “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, was a great experience. The journey to Budapest from Prishtina is only 896.6 km, but it took me a whole day to get there by plane! After having landed in Budapest at 20:30, I was tired, but that feeling soon turned to happiness when I received a message from Nora Tartsay, the President of IATEFL Hungary, inviting me to join several other presenters for dinner at Café Vian Gozsdu. Located in the former Jewish district, the Gozsdu passage is a beautiful area, full of cafes and young people. So, my exhausting day of travel ended with drink and conversation with English teachers from different countries.

IATEFL Hungary- Organizing Committee

‘Grow strong, grow together’

IATEFL-Hungary hosted a very successful and resourceful ELT conference. The location was pleasant, the people were kind, and the presentations were excellent. The Conference organizers and student volunteers were always busy and active, working to make the conference run smoothly. As one member of the Conference’s Organizing Committee stated, “We help our members with their professional career. We build our community and we plant trees; hopefully we’ll grow strong and grow together.”

Fruitful presentations, plenary talks, and panel discussions

Nearly one hundred presentations, plenary talks, and panel discussions were offered at the conference, so it was impossible to attend all of them. However, I will try to summarize the sessions that I was able to attend and share about the things that impressed me the most. Enik Csomay, Professor of Linguistics at San Diego State University, spoke at the opening plenary. She talked about lexical verbs in English and illustrated how teachers and students can benefit from using a large body of texts to answer questions about grammar and vocabulary. Hearing from experienced teachers is always helpful, so I went to the Gólyavár building next, to take part in a teacher training panel discussion on the past and the future of teacher training. Giving personal opinions, each panelist evaluated the current situation and considered options for the future. In the afternoon, Alan Maley, former IATEFL president, reflected on the topic “The Eternal Triangle—Past, Future and Present.” He reviewed major developments that have occurred in English Language teaching since 1960. He explained that an historical perspective is useful and placed emphasis on Danish philosopher Kierkegaard’s quote that “Life must be lived forward but can be only understood backward.” Another motivating presentation came from Adelina Holmes, whose session was titled “Mirror, Mirror: The Impact of Culture on Reflective Practices.” She showed examples of how the cultural background of a teacher or student can affect their responses to reflective practices. It is also worth mentioning Ádám Ná- dasdy’s plenary talk “Phonetic transcription—curse or blessing?” He pointed out some cases where distortion is scientifically justified and noted recent developments and innovations in representing English pronunciation in dictionaries. Two other useful sessions that day included “Teaching with TED Talks: Creating your Own Lesson with TED Ed” (ed. ted.com), presented by Margarita Kasior and Dimitris Tzouris, and “Conducting an EFL Mobile App development event”, in which Nora Tartsay and the Croatian team shared their experiences through an interactive talk. “Getting older…getting wiser”, by Jane Revell, was closing plenary. She made us think and laugh, and she gave us many ideas to take back home and use, both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to attending various sessions, I was pleased to be able to present, together with Timea Tiboldi, an English Language Teacher from Eötvös Loránd University, and George Chinnery, the Regional English Language Officer with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest. Our presentation aimed to share experiences from two aspects—that of English language and Journalism—and about a blended pilot course called “English for Journalists.” From July 2014-2015, this course was developed in Budapest by R.E.L.O., the U.S. Embassy, and Voice of America, with support from the coordinator, Professor Maggie Sokolik, at the University of California, Berkley. This project involved ten course developers, from different European countries (Belarus, Bosnia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine), who worked together to develop and implement the course for ten weeks. Students enhanced their knowledge about English language skills through Journalism and increased their knowledge about Journalism skills through English language. At the end of the course, one exceptional student from each country (including one from Kosovo) was offered a fully funded, two-week internship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C., in Fall/Winter 2015.

Budapest, Hungary

A truly vibrant atmosphere

For three days, this wonderful conference also contained an exhibition area where teachers could check out the latest ELT publications. There was a Nostalgia Room where participants who had never been involved in IATEFL activities could find out about past activities. The conference was full of raffle prizes, too, including a trip to Palma De Mallorca for the CITA Conference, two places for SOL teacher training course, attendance at a training course in Malta, and many more. Social events always bring joy and rhythm, and the Conference’s Steering Committee deserved a standing ovation for a surprising performance with their comedy show. Delicious pizza was offered by R.E.L.O. There was the Silver Amazing Jubilee Party where English teachers danced at the Könyvtár Klub, a club where books were hanging from the ceiling. The conference was filled with a truly vibrant atmosphere, and I am so grateful to have met wonderful English teachers from different countries: Beate, Agnieszka, Beatrix, Ilona, Zita, Marcin, Zsuzsa, Yeo, and so many others! Attending the conference provided me with a welcome distraction from the routine of everyday work, and the experience sparked motivation within me to bring new ideas into my English teaching world.

Thrice I have traveled to the beautiful city of Budapest, known as the “Pearl of Danube”, on study visits, and I tremendously enjoyed visiting places like Castle Hill, the Opera House and the National Gallery, the Baths, Ruin Pubs, the Jewish Quarter, etc. This trip, as a presenter in IATEFL, was just as enjoyable, if not more so, and I would strongly recommend every English teacher consider this Conference as a must-do for their professional development in ELT world.