TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: POWERFUL MENTAL TOOLS FOR YOUR STUDENTS - COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction

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The aim of the course is to give teachers of foreign languages insight into invaluable learning techniques for foreign language acquisition. Participants will discover how the brain works while learning foreign languages and will also gain insight into different memory techniques, Ultralearning strategy and other best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master foreign languages. Participants will also incorporate various strategies and tools for integrating all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) with 4C skills development. They will be introduced to the Montessori approach and will learn how to make their own Montessori language material. By the end of the course participants will have learned how to effectively design PBL language materials and outdoor activities for foreign language acquisition. The focus of the course is on experiential learning and hands-on activities so participants can experience all the methods and techniques firsthand through workshops and model lessons.

Methodology

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Methodology of this course is based on participants’ active involvement with the focus on practical classroom activities and resources. Through experiential learning participants will acquire practical knowledge and step into their students’ shoes to experience the methods firsthand and to gain fuller understanding of what challenges students face in the process of learning a foreign language. A variety of methodologies will be used, including, discussions, group work, practical sessions (hands-on practice), small and large group exercises, role plays, simulations and game-like activities.

Objectives

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• Learning most effective learning and memory techniques that help you master foreign languages

• Learning and experiencing first hand practical 4C techniques and activities for all 4 language skills (reading-listening-speaking-writing)

• Learning about the theory behind the Montessori approach

• Developing personal Montessori language material

• Incorporating the acquired methods, techniques and ideas in their own projects for language learning

• Gaining insight into different activities for outdoor language learning

• Improving the use of English (official language of the course).

• Promoting intercultural awareness.

• Sharing experiences of educational methodologies as well as diverse coaching strategies in education in different countries in order to help each of us to be more effective in our work.

• Developing a virtual collaboration platform for preparation, dissemination and networking in order to develop future partnerships and projects.

• Strengthening the European collaboration among educators.

• Providing insights into different education systems.

Preparation

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After registration participants will receive a pre-course questionnaire which will be used by the trainer to learn about participants’ teaching backgrounds and to assess their exact needs. Before the beginning of the course a basic reading list will be suggested to participants to prepare for the training. Participants will also be asked to publish a presentation about themselves, their professional context and their culture. The presentation will be available on the virtual collaboration platform. It will be used during the first meeting, but it will also be available online to the other participants so that they can have a preliminary knowledge of the group they are going to be part of. Participants will receive information about the country they are going to visit in order to prepare them for their cultural experience.

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Follow up

After the course participants will be asked to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff in their schools. Since they will all join the virtual collaboration platform they will be able to further discuss and deepen the understanding of the themes of this course and therefore keep on learning. Moreover, they will be encouraged to share materials showing how they are using what they have learned in their everyday work in terms of ideas, photos, videos, lesson plans, assessment and self-assessment forms, etc. creating an open educational resource available to everyone else from the group. Thanks to the virtual collaboration platform they will all be networked which will provide greater opportunities to develop future partnerships and projects. Further books and articles to deepen the topic and contacts with some other practitioners all over Europe and in the world will be suggested by the trainer. The methods shared and explored and the bibliography given will allow the participants to complete and improve their educational path.

Certificate

Each participant will get a course attendance certificate and the Europass Mobility Document.

Paperwork

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We also provide all the support with paperwork you might need for your Erasmus+ project documentation such as mobility agreement and registration letter.