Course Overview
The English for Higher Education Professionals course is an intensive professional training course that aims to help participants express themselves more confidently and accurately in English in international Higher Education settings while also getting the opportunity to experience and explore the charm and vibrancy of modern day Dublin.
Who is it for?
The English for Higher Education Professionals (HEP) course is an intensive professional training course for academics and administrators working in Higher Education Institutions who need English to regularly interact effectively with students and colleagues.
Format
This English for HE Professionals course can be organised as either a one-week or two-week course and consists of 20 classroom-based sessions per week, plus an extensive cultural and social programme led by your teacher trainers.
2024 Dates
Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Winter 2024 |
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11th March – 23rd March | 1st July – 13th July | 9th December – 20th December |
25th March – 6th April | 29th July – 10th August |
Course Aims
Methodology
This is a practical course which uses real teaching and learning tasks. Teachers completing the course will return home with immediate, practical ideas to implement in their own work and / or teaching practice.
Participants are expected to actively participate in the workshops, reflecting on their own beliefs and practice, and sharing thoughts, ideas and expertise in pair work, small groups and with the class as a whole.
During the course participants will also take part in a range of afternoon activities where they will be encouraged to develop their language skills in a more informal environment outside the classroom and further enhance their knowledge of contemporary Ireland.
Course Themes and Sample Timetable
The English for Higher Education Professionals course has three main components:
The Language Skills for HE component has two distinct strands. One for academics, and a distinct one for administrators working in HE to reflect their different professional duties and tasks.
* Language Skills for HE – Academics Strand
* Language Skills – Administrators Strand
To ensure your course meets your development objectives, the schedule of sessions on every course is drawn up and agreed with each group of participants and Erasmus Plus coordinators on the basis of pre-course training needs analysis questionnaires.
Week One (Sample) |
Session One 9am to 10.40am |
Session Two 11am to 12.40pm |
Afternoon Activity |
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Monday | Course Orientation.
Communicating Beyond Words – it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Non-verbal communication |
Dublin’s Parks, Squares and Public Spaces | Orientation tour of the city |
Tuesday | Getting the Right Message – politeness, hedging, directness, dealing with uncertainty | The Higher Education System in Ireland | Visit to Trinity College Dublin and The Book of Kells |
Wednesday | Enhanced Academic Writing Using Corpora | Ireland, the EU and Brexit, The Border and a Border Poll | Walk and Talk Tour – Local History |
Thursday | Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education – What’s happening, where is it going, how does it affect teachers and learners, how can we use it? | The CEFR / An introduction to IELTS – what it is and what it isn’t | Visit to MoLi – Museum of Literature Ireland |
Friday | Student Motivation and Wellbeing | Reflection on learning. Looking ahead. End of course feedback and Irish Coffee | Free afternoon
(Option: join our Film and Fluency Club) |
Saturday | Full day excursion to Howth |
Follow Up
Participants on the course are encouraged to keep in contact, sharing materials and experiences when back in your own classrooms. Follow-up contact is made with the participants three months after completion of the course to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the classroom activities presented and on how your teaching practice has been developed. The course trainers are available for follow-up advice and support at all times.
Price List
1 - week training course
- Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
- Additional Fee: Homestay Accommodation: €265 for one week of host family accommodation (single room, half-board) + €65 placement fee
2 - week training course
- Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
- Additional Fee: Homestay Accommodation: €530 for two weeks of host family accommodation (single room, half-board) + €65 placement fee