Course Overview
This Sustainability and the Environment in Education course is an intensive professional training course for primary and secondary school teachers who want to gain a better understanding of the UNs’ Sustainable Development Goals and how to integrate student thinking about these issues into classroom practice.
Who is it for?
This course is for teachers who want to gain a better understanding of sustainability and how to better integrate student thinking about sustainability and the environment into your teaching. You will also be keen to upgrade your own English language skills and gain a better understanding of Irish life and culture. Participants must have at least an upper-intermediate (B2) level of English.
Format
This Sustainability and the Environment in Education 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.
Course Dates
| Autumn & Winter 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Autumn & Winter 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th October – 28th October | 25th March – 6th April | 1st July – 13th July | 21st October – 2nd November |
| 4th December – 16th December | 15th July – 27th July | 9th December – 20th December | |
| 29th July – 10th August | |||
| 12th August – 24th August |
Course Aims
Methodology
This is a practical course which uses real teaching and learning examples. Teachers completing the course will return home with immediate, practical ideas to implement in their own 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. Critical thinking and active peer and self-evaluation are essential for the course.
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
| Week one (Sample) | Session 1 | Session 2 | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Course Orientation.
Introduction to Sustainability in Education Introduction to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its 17 Sustainable Development Goals |
Dublin’s Parks, Squares and Public Spaces | Orientation tour around the city |
| Tuesday | Alternative Approaches to Lesson Design: Project-Based Learning | SDG Practical Modules used for Teens – Giving Materials that Sustainability Twist | Trinity College and the Book of Kells |
| Wednesday | Smart Cities (A Lesson Jam) – How can technology make city-life more eco-friendly and sustainable? | Sustainable Cities – Dublin and Gentrification | The Liberties Walk and Talk Tour with teacher |
| Thursday | English as a Lingua Franca & Teaching Pronunciation: Models and Goals | Ireland – Brexit, The Border and a Border Poll | Visit to Kilmainham Gaol |
| Friday | Adventure & Slow Tourism – What’s the impact of tourism on cities? How can we plan more sustainable holidays?
The Wild Atlantic Way |
Reflection on learning. Developing your Personal Learning Network (PLN) Looking ahead. End of course Irish Coffee. | Free afternoon
(Option: join our Film and Fluency Club) |
| Saturday | Full day excursion to Howth |
The Sustainability and the Environment in Education course has three main components:
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.
Follow Up
Participants on the course are encouraged to keep in contact, sharing materials and experiences when back in their 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.
Price List
1 - week training course
- Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
- Additional Fee: Residential Accommodation: €375 for one week in residence (single ensuite room, self-catering) + €65 placement fee + EUR30 ( summer supplement for accommodation bookings 17th Jun – 10th Sept)
2 - week training course
- Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
- Additional Fee: Residential Accommodation: €750 for two weeks in residence (single ensuite room, self-catering) + €65 placement fee + EUR30 ( summer supplement for accommodation bookings 17th Jun – 10th Sept)