Letter 1

Hi Hania

HLT readers may be interested in In Student Voices section Galina Kavaliauskiene in her article Learners' Reflections on Class Activities,

Philip (Prowse)

Announcement: The Extensive Reading Foundation 2006 Language Learner Literature Award Winners

The Extensive Reading Foundation (ERF), an unaffiliated, not-for profit organization whose mission is to support and promote extensive reading in language education, takes pleasure in announcing the winners of the Third Annual Language Learner Literature Award for books published in 2005.

An international jury made the final choices, taking into account the Internet votes of students and teachers from around the world.

Young Learners: Winner
Thumbelina retold by Sue Arengo. Illustrated by Celeste Goulding. Classic Tales Beginner 2 (Oxford University Press)

In selecting Thumbelina as the winner, the jury made particular note of the clear and repetitive language that will appeal to young learners. Voters commented, "It's a very cute story." (Japan) "I loved the illustrations. . . . Simply beautiful." (Cyprus)

Adolescents and Adults: Winner
The Amazon Rain Forest by Bernard Smith. Illustrations by Harriet Buckley. Penguin Readers, Elementary, Level 2 (Pearson Education)

In a closely called decision, The Amazon Rain Forest was chosen for its outstanding overall production, and for its sense of drama, going beyond cliched environmental facts. Voters commented, "It is really very interesting." (India) "I have learned a lot." (Canada)

In addition to the winners, the following books were selected as the shortlisted "finalists" in each category:

Young Learners: Finalists
The Slippery Planet by Rosemary Hayes. Illustrated by Ian Newsham. Cambridge Storybooks Level 4 (Cambridge University Press) "I like the story because it is very exciting. . . . I also like the animal pictures." (Japan)

The Special Cake by June Crebbin. Illustrated by Peter Kavanagh. Cambridge Storybooks Level 4 (Cambridge University Press) "Because it is fun and I like cake." (Korea)

Adolescents and Adults: Finalists
Ned Kelly: a True Story by Christine Lindop. Original illustrations by David Eaton. Oxford Bookworms Library Stage 1 (Oxford University Press) "It was a great book. . . . because he was fighting for poor people. I like that about Ned Kelly." (U.S.)

Within High Fences by Penny Hancock. Illustrations by Debbie Hinks. Cambridge English Readers Level 2 (Cambridge University Press) "I like the fact that romance is not the only theme in this story but it also addresses the issue of the treatment of asylum seekers which gives it a whole new depth." (Malaysia)

The ERF thanks the publishers who nominated books, the members of the Award Jury, and all those who voted in this year's Award. The nomination and voting procedures for the 2007 Language Learner Literature Award will be posted on the ERF website in December 2006. For more information, visit the ERF homepage: <erfoundation.org.

Letter 2

Dear Editor
I have some problems with HLT-ing

a. I went into Previous Editions from the main page
I clicked "working off line"
I found that the last issue listed was Nov 2005, Jan and March 2006 were not there.

b) I went into Previous editions
I went to AN OLD EXERCISE
The end of this page was in good order. The top of the page was full of mess from elsewhere, articles, this that and the other and not old exs.

M. R.

Letter 3 and 4

Hello Hania

Hope your leadership of the fantastic HLT Mag is going well!

Forgive this question, as I don't really know how HLT Mag is run (ie. how many people are involved), or where its funding comes from (I guess from Pilgrims courses and publications).

Is there any kind of proofreading process (or 'correction' of someone's writing) re: contributions to HLT Mag? Clearly there are many "non-native" English users who contribute, but whether this is so or not, I often cringe involuntarily at the various kinds of typos, slips and 'mistakes' in the language of the articles I read. Am I pedantic? This magazine is about teaching rather than about the English language, but still - I do feel that the quality of language presented as the voice of the magazine is important. (Otherwise, why should anyone take it seriously?)

By the way, I've read the "Contributor's guidelines", and although it states, 'The Editor has the right to introduce some editorial changes.' - it doesn't say why these changes why be made, or make any mention that contributors should exercise a certain standard of English.

Well, I hope you don't read this as too much of a criticism. As I mentioned to Mario before, I very much respect and value HLT Mag - that's why I care when it seems lacking in certain areas.

All the best
David Alexander

Dear David
thank you for your permission to publish your letter
If you don't mind I will also include my reply which follows.
Would you like to contribute an article yourself one day?
Many greetings
Hania Kryszewska

PS.
Just to explain the situation
HLT is a magazine run by one person. We are talking editing, corresponding, contacting, networking, thanking, advising etc..
All within a limited period of time allocated to do this. Also HLT is a magazine different from any other, i.e. it is a forum for teachers to speak out, it is not refereed, and is edited to some extent. Hence there are different varieties of English as a lingua franca. The fantastic thing is that even if a contributor does not write perfect 'journal' English, he or she is a highly motivated teacher who wants to share ideas with other teachers around the globe. This is what counts the most. The publications do not win anybody points in their academic careers, these articles are not part of the 'publish or perish’ world.
As an editor I have a dilemma like most teachers have. Do we always correct everything and everywhere? When? How? And besides is the teacher/editor always right? I take your point that sometimes a mistake can be an eyesore, but who does not make mistakes: a teacher, a native speaker, an editor? Let's be 'humanistic' about it.
And yes Humanising Language Teachig - this unique form is offered to teachers by Pilgrims Language Courses, UK.

Letter 5 and 6

Dear Hania

I wish to write one poem or article for your every new Mag and to become a regular writer for you.I like it very much because my work has great resembalance to your Magazine.

Hope to hear from you very soon.

I wish you very success with a great expansion of your work and business.

Sunniest regards
Iqbal
Pakistan

Dear Hania Kryszewska

I am writing to you to say my cordial thanks for pulishing my poems.I am very delighted to find my poetry in the current issue of HLT and I will write to many of the national and international teachers to read and write for this mag . You have really given me a new approach and spirit to pace ahead.

Hope to hear from you for more work with you.

Regards
Iqbal
Pakistan