Obamania in Colombia

Barack Obama: Obamania in Colombia

"Obamania" has hit hard here in Colombia. Certainly not as hard though as the economy seems to be there in the United States, though. I just learned that Circuit City and a few other large chain stores have now closed. What is happening there?

When President-elect Obama dropped and broke his Blackberry the other day, it was front page news here in Colombia! Can you imagine!

President Obama and Administration Policies
Here in Colombia, two of the most pertenent questions on the minds of Colombians are:

1. What will be the Obama administration's approach to the TLC or Latin American Free Trade Agreement with Colombia?

Much of the fallout from this - positive or negative, will directly affect the more than 13 million Afro-Colombians at virtually all economic and social levels. Colombia remains one of the countries "blaclisted" by economic / financial and "money-laundering" regulations of the US. For example, you cannot use PayPal, Clickbank or WorldPay or most other money/payment receipt services to recieve payments for internet or online services here. Running an internet-based business in Colombia is next to impossible because you can't "get paid" from customers in other countries. If you want to buy a house, property or small business here in Colombia with U.S. funds, it's extremely difficult since bank transfers are horrendously expensive and can cost up to 50% of the transaction amount or are fire-walled at 10,000 USD. Western Union, which is permitted here, is also highly cost-prohibitive. The US dollar is strong and steadily growing stronger here after a significant plunge in recent past months.

2. How will President Obama's administration deal with the Narco-trafficking situation between Colombia, Mexico and the US - and how will the new policies impact the immigration of Latinos (Colombians) to and from the US?

Currently up to 10,000 applicants go through the US Embassy in Bogota's doors EACH DAY - that's right up to ten thousand people each day. I just witnessed this in part for myself last week as Doris and I were at the embassy in Bogota to renew her American tourist visa.It was a "slow" day as only about 3000 people went through that day according to the two embassy officials I spoke with. Even so, it was an impressive sight to see triple lines of people a block long starting at 6:30 or 7:00 am with appointments for visa interviews. Up to 90% are turned down flat for one reason or another. Doris got her visa renewal however since I was there and provided support documents to assist her application, plus we were strictly honest and properly prepared for the proceedings.

Preparations for the first African-American presidential inauguration seem massive, it's certainly going to be a truly historic, media event. I'll try to watch as much of it as possible on CNN in English here. How about you?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

8 Reasons You Get Stuck with Unmotivated EFL Learners

Motivation and Rapport are Key English Language Teaching Elements

No matter what English as a foreign language level you teach. No matter what EFL learner profile your students are. No matter what your educational level and teaching background are. And no matter what teaching environment you might have, if you lack a genuine rapport with your EFL learners, they’re going to be unmotivated. Unmotivated learners do amazingly poorly at learning – anything. Motivation and rapport are key elements in teaching English as a foreign language. We’ll even take a couple of lessons from U.S. President Elect Barack Obama.

Here are Eight Reasons You Get Stuck with Unmotivated EFL Learners

1. Lack of Self-esteem

In all probability, you learners lack a good level of self-esteem. When English language teaching and learning expectations are low or highly limited, both sides can be negatively impacted. If everything in English class is simple and easy, requiring no thought, little effort and minimal application on the part of the learners, their – and your self-esteem can go south – fast.

2. Not Trying Alternatives

If what you’re presently doing in the EFL classroom isn’t working the way you’d like and your English language learners aren’t responding, then you need to do things differently. Try some alternative strategies. Change up methodologies and inject a string of new activities and didactics into your English as a foreign language teaching. There are a ton of free-to-use EFL teaching and learning websites out there on the world wide web. Check out a few to get new ideas, lesson plans, and activities to inject some new life into your teaching.

3. Not Having Distinct Teaching and Learning Goals

If you’re working for an established educational institution, likely you’ve been provided with extensive outlines of course curriculum and structure. But if you don’t have enough details to successfully “fill-in” the day-to-day English language teaching activities for your needs, you can get bogged down quickly. Ways to pull out of the quicksand are to:

• Talk with other teachers for some ideas
• Attend EFL teacher focused workshops, seminars and conferences
• Read technical publications on English Language Teaching techniques
• Participate in online EFL teaching forums and subscribe to ELT information blogs and websites
• Try out as many new ideas, suggestions, activities and didactic techniques as you can possibly manage. Then stick with those that work.

4. Defending the Status Quo

Oh, but it’s all too easy to just sit back and say, “This is the way we have to do it”. Or, “We’ve always done it this way”. How about the dreaded, “This is what my EFL learners expect”. Remember the axiom, “Nothing happens until something moves”? No matter what the status quo, if it’s not working, then it’s time for a change. Like U.S. President Elect Barack Obama, just say, “It’s change we need” when asked for your reasons. (Hey, if it worked for him. It surely could work for you too, right?)

5. Fear

Are you a “but” person? Do you find yourself often saying, “I’d like to try this, but ...”? This is a direct manisfestation of fear. You’re afraid to be different. You’re afraid to “muddy up” the waters. You’re afraid your EFL learners won’t do what you want. You’re afraid of this, you’re afraid of that. You’re afraid to fail. Get over it. Sure, some new things may bomb. Some however, are going to be successful. You won’t know which is which though, until you try them out. So just get to it. Plan your EFL teaching work, then work your EFL teaching plan. It could well be as simple as that.

6. Lack of a Cooperative Attitude

“My EFL learners won’t work with me on anything”, you say? Whiner. Who’s the teacher in the classroom, you or them? Who’s in charge of the situation, you or them? Who’s ultimately responsible for what happens – success or failure – in your English as a foreign language classroom, you or them? Now that we’ve settled that. Get to work and take charge. When your EFL learners truly see that you’re personally invested in their learning and developing English language communicative skills, they WILL “get with the program”, I promise you.

7. Perfectionism

Are you one of those English language teachers who says, “Oh, I want everything to be just perfect for my classes”? Okay, so nobody wants to bomb a class, but let’s face it – things happen that you don’t expect. True, I’m somewhat of a recovered perfectionist myself, but once you realize that it’s not really necessary to be “perfect”, worlds open up to you. You can face your English as a foreign language learners and enjoy them and your EFL teaching. Besides, who wants to continue in a job in which they’re stressed-out seeking constant perfection? Not me, and I hope not you either.

8. Lack of Will-Power

You’ve heard it before, now you’ll hear it again, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. It’s not just idle banter. If you truly want something to happen, only you can make it so. Put a plan of action together: based on help, contributuions and feedback from your peers, administration and your EFL learners too. Then put that plan into action. Yes, there WILL be results. What kind of results? Well, you’ll just have to try it and see. I think, that’s what Barack Obama is going to do. How about you?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Teaching English as a foreign language: A Way to Help Eliminate Stereotypes

The Stereotyped American in English Language Learning

What do your EFL learners think off when they hear the term “American”.
Unless you’re an American, in all probability many images that will come to mind will not be positive ones. Other images, like the recent election of Barack Obama as America’s first Black President will be the opposite.
During an introductory class in American History, an American instructor wanted to illustrate what stereotypes are and the prejudices that Swedes and other nationalities have about the United States. So first, her Swedish students were asked to, during one minute, write down what they though about when they heard “The U.S”. A lot of people thought of fast food, Bush, Starbucks, CSI, FBI, NRA, fat people, and according to their teacher, Swedes also think Americans have ugly hairstyles. This according to a blog post “The Stereotyped American” by The Norrlander on her blog.

What is a Stereotype?

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines stereotype as, “a fixed or conventional notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc. Held by a number of people and allowing for no individuality; critical judgement of people”. In other words, it’s when you pre-judge people based solely on their nationality, race, religion, language, sex or other extraneous factors.

Concerning American stereotypes, it cuts both ways. Americans have stereotypes of many different language and ethnic or religious groups. Can you imagine the American stereotypes of Muslims, Arabs, Africans, Mexicans and Latin Americans, Russians, Scandinavians, East Indians, Eastern Europeans and the Chinese? Trust me, you don't want to know.

Not all Americans are bound by stereotypes, of course. But far too many are and it's distasteful either way. The phrase "Ugly American" is based in part on real behavior and real actions of real Americans. These “stereotypes” simply do not represent all of us. Do your learners watch “The Simpsons”, “Weed” or even “CSI”? Not just television, but Hollywood and its movies play a dramatic role in fostering some highly unwelcomed stereotypes among English as a foreign language learners. What stereotypes are fostered by these and numerous other television programs broadcast worldwide?

“We see all kinds of “crazy” things from America on TV here (in Sweden), so that is obviously an important factor of how we see Americans. Also, we don’t really like Bush here, and I think his politics also have made us distrust America”, comments The Norrlander.

In an added comment on stereotyped Americans Joyce said, “Do you think the Swedes have a bad impression of Americans? I guess I would blame the media for that. I bet some countries think that we all ride horses, have gun battles in the streets and fight Indians.” While Americans, of course, no longer all ride horses, there are, unfortunately, still “gun battles in the streets” if you believe American television.

Ask Your English as a Foreign Language Learners

Try this out on your English as a foreign language learners. Ask them what thoughts and images come to mind when they hear the term “Americans” or “The USA”. Perhaps you’ll be more than a bit surprised at their responses. Then, if YOU are an American or at least have an intimately detailed knowledge of the United States, it’s history and culture, your work will be cut out for you. You are then charged with the responsibility of altering perceived stereotypes with factual input and information. As the Norrlander comments again, “It’s quite intersting actually to think about how you view other people.”

After all I say, a great part of foreign language learning is the culture, isn’t it? So get to it then, and be sure to have some fun with it too.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Five Lessons Barak Obama Can Teach You

Five Lessons from Barack Obama

Here are five lessons English as a foreign language teachers can learn from American President-elect Barack Obama. This was adapted from “Six Marketing Lessons From Barack Obama” by Steve Harrison which originally appeared as part one of a two-part series in his Book Marketing Update print newsletter .
http://www.MillionDollarAuthorClub.com/?10011

1. Get feedback from your learners – and USE it

Obama sent several dozen drafts of his second book "The Audacity of Hope" to friends, media, legislators and followed up with them and asked them for feedback.

More importantly, he listened to what they had to say, and made changes based on their feedback. Be a good listener, and adapt to the feedback you receive like President-elect Barack Obama does.

2. Be determined and Pleasantly Persistent

In 20 years of helping authors sell more books, marketer Steve Harrison discovered that 95% of all authors give up way too quickly and easily. They're not determined and persistent.

Back in 1995, Barack Obama was relatively unknown and trying to get whatever publicity he could. So even though he wanted to meet the N'Digo book reviewer, he ultimately failed to persuade her to review his book. But here's the key. He didn't give up. He persisted.

"He would call me every week and say, 'Did you read my book?'" the publisher told the New York Times.

Successful people like Barack Obama are not considered pests because they're always friendly, always patiently staying in touch and continually dispersing some new information or slant worth considering.

Let me ask you, do you have that kind of persistence?

3. Don't let any perceived lack of qualifications stop you.

Many teachers and other professionals are held back by a belief they're not
"qualified" simply because they're not the world's leading authority in their field.
You need to be competent at what you do, of course, but the fact is you don't need to be the MOST accomplished, MOST knowledgeable, MOST credentialed “expert” in your
field to be successful.

You do however, need to be very good at presenting yourself and your ideas. Rightly or wrongly, presentation and rapport are often more important than “qualifications”.

Obama hasn't let any apparent lack of qualifications stand in the way of making himself a wealthy, best-selling author (3 million copies in print to date) and finally being elected to the highest political office in the land. You shouldn't let any hole or flaw in your resume stop you from getting where you want to go either.

4. Work at becoming a Master at Developing Rapport with your EFL Learners

Your EFL learners don't care nearly as much about your credibility as they do about your rapport with them and how you can help them. Are you telling your own personal story about why you do what you do in a way that connects with your learners? Are you telling stories which agitate EFL learner's motivations and shows them how much they need the English language communicative skills which you help to provide for them? Do you work at creating a dynamic, communicative lesson that connects with your learners emotions?

5. Your Success is Up to YOU

Resist the temptation to dismiss other successful teachers and professionals as simply being "great teaqchers or speakers" or think that they are successful simply because they may be "well-educated." Instead, watch them and learn if you're really serious about
making a difference.

Barack Obama knows and practices these things as they relate to his field ... do you?

Part 5 - 20 Critical Problems that Keep Colombia in the Third World

The Final Two of This Series

With these final two critical social problems, we wrap up the series on living and working in Colombia. Much of the news coming out of the country is negative, but there are, in fact, quite a number of positives which can be associated with this, one of the world’s most notorious countries.

Here are the final two issues to be mentioned in this series.

19. There are lax controls on essential medicines and drugs of all classes.
As for whether it’s good or bad to be able to get virtually any non-narcotic prescription medication over-the-counter, is still up for grabs. If you know the name, composition r brand of a medication, it can usually be purchased without a prescription from pharmacies throughout the country. The quality may be subject to question as well in some areas. Even if you want to take “what my neighbor took when she had this problem”, you can often just go into any pharmacy and buy it no questions asked. True, some countries over-regulate, but then again it’s a tough call any way you look at it.

20. Racial and social prejudices are commonplace.
“America went through a crisis of its own during the 1960s with the emergence of intergration in its society. The process still continues as the current presidential race well demonstrates with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in history’s forefront. Will America finally have a black president? We’ll soon know. No question about a black president in Colombia though. No one expects or believes it could happen anytime soon. Why? … Because of deep-seated inferiority beliefs on the part of many Colombians – black and white. Minorities like blacks and indigenous races do not get “equal treatment” despite laws to the contrary. Not “Jim Crow” of the mid 1900s, but not too far off either. With enough money, a measure of “equality” can be reached, but is not available to the majority.

In another, soon upcoming series, we’ll look at some of the positive aspects of living and working in Colombia, one of the world’s most beautiful, but notorious countries. Stay tuned …


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" or "7 Techniques to Motivate Your English Language Learners and Make Your Classes More Dynamic" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then e-mail me for further information.