Eastern’s Raouf Mama Wins Storytelling Award

Raouf Mama (middle) with workshop participants at the annual conference for the Benin National Teachers of English Association (BNTEA) this January.

English Professor Raouf Mama recently received an award from the Benin National Teachers of English Association (BNTEA) for “Outstanding Storytelling and Service to English Teaching.” The BNTEA’s second annual conference was held from Jan.17-19 in Parakou, Benin. The conference recognizes English teachers for expanding the English language throughout the country of Benin and worldwide.

At the conference, Mama gave a plenary address titled “The Pursuit of Excellence in the Learning and Teaching of English.” He also led three workshops titled “Better Storytelling Skills Make Better Teachers.”

Mama performs African and multicultural stories, blending storytelling with poetry, song, music and dance. An orator out of the African oral tradition, he has been a keynote speaker at literary award ceremonies and fundraisers, as well as a plenary speaker at international and regional conferences in the U.S., Benin, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Venezuela.

Written by Bobbi Brown

Categories: English