Mahdia is a lovely city on the coast of Tunisia where visitors enjoy meeting a warm sun, a loving people and and delicious fish. "Go4english" Co-ordinators visited Mahdia more than twice. "Teachingenglish" Co-ordinators, in their turn, visited Mahdia last December. I was honoured to meet them and attend a Training Session concluded with a Certificate of Participation and a distribution of a profile and a CD to all the participants. It was the first time for me to learn about the "teachingenglish" team. After browsing the CD and finding it extremely helpful and practical, I decided to join the "teachingenglish" Forum from which I learnt numberless things.

Mahdia was the first city to establish an English Language Association throughout Tunisia. Its name is MELA (= Mahdia English Language Association). It was founded in August 2006.The Founder of "MELA" is Mr. Ezzedine Ammar, a Regional ELT Inspector together with an assiduous group of willing competent teachers of the region. The Association is made up of (12) permanent members and (270) participants. This number has been increasing yearly thanks to the different activities and achievements of the Association among which we mention but a few:

1. enhancing / promoting the culture of ICT integration in classrooms,
2. installing a community spirit among teachers,
3. collaborating with native English Co-ordinators as it was the case with the British Council in December 2009,
4. organizing ELT  meetings / conferences for teachers,
5. providing a room for creativity and innovation via organizing an "English Open Day". This manifestation is always taking place in April. This year it will be held on Sunday 25th April 2010 in Mahdia CREFOC (= a regional centre for teachers' In-Service Training). The British Council, in Tunisia, nourished the idea and promised to foster such initiatives...

For further information about the Association please follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahdia-English-Language-Association/318423495856

The English Teaching Team in Mahdia founded the First English Magazine in Tunisia since 2003. The magazine is called: "FORWARD WE GO". It contained many corners such as Poems, Essays, Letters, Top of the pupils (here the pupils who excelled at their studies have their own pictures published with their names, ratings, schools...), teachers corners (teachers are free to write whatever they see as of a great value either to learners or even to their colleagues)...

What is remarkable here is that the English Magazine is not restricted to the English Teachers of the region. On the contrary, ANYONE who loves English Language can participate in furnishing the Magazine with ideas, essays, comments, tests, methodologies, approches...

Note also that this magazine is for all and by all (learners & teachers) without any restrictions on area, sex, school, ideology, or even function. You do not need to be an English teacher or a pupil to participate in the Magazine. Even parents, and any other subjects outside the educational team (whatever your job is) can take part. 

This year (May 2010) will be the 8th edition. Participants are warmly welcomed.

Finally, hearty and sincere gratitude and thanks to the following:

• The British Council, in Tunisia, for the valuable support through conferences, ELT trainings, documents, CDs...,
• The Governorate (Mahdia) and local authorities for financial support,
• The Regional Administration (Mahdia) for logistic provision,
• The ELT Regional Inspector, Mr. Ezzedine Ammar for his tirelessness, assiduousness and willingness to serve the English Language Teaching in the area.
•  The Educational Team (Teachers, School headmasters and Pupils) for the mutual collaboration,
• The Learners' parents for letting their children take part in The Magazine or the English Open Day Manifestation.