BELTfree stands for Bloggers in ELT, freelancers.
We're a small, exclusive community dedicated to the sharing and exchanging of tips, tricks, hacks, general information about being both blogger and EFL/ESL teacher.
We're a small, exclusive community dedicated to the sharing and exchanging of tips, tricks, hacks, general information about being both blogger and EFL/ESL teacher.
All active bloggers, we're a mix of methodology authors, materials writers, teacher-trainers, language coaches and teachers.
BELTfree isn't a directory in the usual sense of one, i.e. a place to randomly market blog posts - we're not listed on google and the stuff we say and do there is private.
The function of our being together as a group is to intelligently market, build a learning network of like-minded folks and to help each other: sharing our knowledge and experience.
The function of our being together as a group is to intelligently market, build a learning network of like-minded folks and to help each other: sharing our knowledge and experience.
We will stay small. Our target is not to turn into one of those ginormous, anonymous groups with hundreds or thousands of members which are usually made up of 80% lurkers/non-contributors but instead to form real relationships with each other.
Our mission is to support each others growth as bloggers and language professionals and we're an active and collaborative community.
So do you want to join?
Our mission is to support each others growth as bloggers and language professionals and we're an active and collaborative community.
So do you want to join?
If you're a English language trainer, blogging for at least 3mos, you post more than once a month - in fact your last post was less than 3wks ago and you have written at least 10+ articles plus your blog belongs to you personally, then do contact any of our members with your URL and some details of why you'd like to join us.
If you'd like to know more about what we do, go on ahead and ask.
And BELTfreers, why is it interesting to be a part of BELTfree?
If you'd like to know more about what we do, go on ahead and ask.
And BELTfreers, why is it interesting to be a part of BELTfree?
Posts
Karenne,
Great post and BELTFree pic! It is an honor to be part of such an organization that supports the continual learning and collaboration in the field of English language teaching. All the members have so much to offer and have enriched me with the knowledge and experiences they share in their blogs!
Hi Karenne
Thank you so much for this post. I like the fact the group is open to ideas coming from ALL language teachers, as we are after all a big family with EFL/ ESL/MFL methodologies overlapping all the time. It is is so good to have such a pool of talented individuals to share with and get inspiration from. I feel we grow quicker as bloggers by doing 60% reading and 40% writing (including commenting. Joining a group like BELTfree is a great way to ensure that good blogging habits are maintained.
Isabelle
http://isabellejones.blogspot.com
I joined BELT free very shortly after becoming a blogger. In addition to bringing me into contact with fellow professionals, it also serves as a reminder to comment, help and share on each other's blogs. Plus there are neat little awards that people can vote on, we're kept updated on latest trends and ideas in blogging and oh well I could go on but you really just have to experience it for yourself. Great stuff.
Dear Karenne,
Thanks for inviting me to join BELTFree. It's a great site with amazing teachers, and I really appreciate the bulletins you write to keep us abreast of what we need to be doing to keep interest up.
Social networking is a professional commitment, sure, and it does take time. But I've been blogging for about a year and a half now (unbelievable) and this more structured social networking is helping me refocus and get into gear. It put the people behind the blogs into sharper focus and makes the conversations more real. So I can warmly recommend joining.
We haven't met personally yet, but I'm sure we will at some point!
Just had an email query about why the rules...
1. 3 months,
because statistically 60% of all blogs are abandoned after the first month.
80% before 3 months.
This is simply your first test before we have even met you.
By this time you'll also have had experiences and learned through the hard mistakes you've made... stuff you can share with us and of course, by then, you'll be hungry to learn from us too.
2.You post more than once a month.
We want to know you're committed and you're in it for the long haul.
We want to read your stuff.
3. your blog belongs to you personally
If you're a company, you have a marketing team and a sales force and lots of money to spend on promoting your blog.
We don't... we are doing it, finger tap on keyboard by finger tap on keyboard.
If you're a company and you'd like to join us, it's probably only to spam us or to ask us to promote your products for free - so like, we don't want you there.
Sorry, but we're all really busy.
So New Bloggers... put it in your diary to write one of us (in the picture - me of course too) when you've hit the 3 months mark, we'd be super honored to have you with us.
K
Hi Karenne,
It's really fruitful for me to have the opportunity to air views and news among EFL/ESL teaching professionals. It's always enriching and highly motivating to be in touch with like-minded people from different corners of the world.
You're very welcome Marisa,
I'm very glad to hear that you feel that way and look forward to sharing more with you.
Thanks for your comment!
K
Karenne,
I think BELTFree is a great place for dedicated professionals to meet and talk. Thanks for orchestrating such a wonderful community and forming the glue that keeps this ragtag bunch together. I think everyone in the community has a unique view to offer to the world. That's what makes this such a treasured jewel, the fact that people from literally all around the world are sharing and doing their best to be great teachers.
Thanks Karenne for the pic and for bringing all of us together.
Karenne,
BELTFree is a great place to connect to and learn from ESL/EFL teachers around the world.
In my own big head, I had thought I was pretty aware of who was doing great blogging in our profession. Then, Karenne invited me to join this Ning and I learned about so many others who were doing excellent work off of my radar screen.
Larry
Shelly, Isabelle, Lindsay, Anne, Neal and Larry ... I can't tell what a pleasure it has been getting to know you guys personally - despite our differences in time and global location.
I really enjoy collaborating with you, thanks so much for sharing so much!
Karenne
Hello Karenne,
It is a really good idea to share what BELTfree is. I am very pleased to be a member of BELTfree and I admire your energy and enthusiasm! I also love your way of encouraging us to contribute! We definitely need your reminders:-)
All the members of our group are great bloggers. Sharing ideas and experiences on BELTfree forums and discussions is very valuable for me and I am hoping to contribute more:-)
Burcu
Karenne,
I'm happy to be a part of BELTfree!! and It's wonderful to meet so many great bloggers.
Thanks for creating and moderating it!
Hope to learn and grow together ..
Ozge
Hi Burcu and Ozge,
And we love having you!
;-) K
Thanks for the invite, Karenne; it was an offer I couldn't honorably refuse. ;-)