Course Overview
This Language, Methodology and Culture course is an intensive professional training course for primary and secondary school teachers who want to participate in a variety of innovative teaching methodology workshops to refresh their teaching practice, while also upgrading their language skills and gaining a better understanding of contemporary Irish life and culture.
Who is it for?
Primary and secondary school teachers who are interested in innovative ideas to motivate and engage their students. You must have at least a B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level of English to join this course
2023 Dates
| Spring 2023 | Summer 2023 | Autumn 2023 | Winter 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th March – 18th March | 3rd July – 15th July | 16th October – 21st October | 18th December – 22nd December |
| 3rd April – 14th April | 10th July – 22nd July | 23rd October – 28th October | |
| 10th April – 15th April | 17th July – 29th July | ||
| 31st July – 12th August | |||
| 7th August – 19th August | |||
| 14th August – 26th August |
Group Bookings (minimum 7 people): Available upon request every week. Please send us your details using this form.
Format
This Overseas Teachers’ Course can be organised as either a one-week or two-week course consisting of 20 classroom contact hours per week, plus an extensive cultural and social programme which is directly linked to the morning classroom sessions.
Course Aims
Methodology
Theories, ideas and activities are presented and demonstrated through lessons with content that is suitable to the course participants’ level and interests.
Participants are expected to actively participate in the workshops, and applied exercises and tasks, to reflect on their own beliefs and practice, and share 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 and the vibrant city of Dublin.
Course Themes and Sample Timetable
The Language, Methodology and Culture course has three main components:
For group bookings, 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 11:10am to 12.50pm | Afternoon Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Expanding Vocabulary: Ideas for Teaching and Learning Collocation / Irish Expressions | Dublin’s Parks, Squares and Public Spaces | Orientation Tour around Dublin |
| Tuesday | Alternative Approaches to Lesson Design 2: Task-Based Language Teaching and Dogme | Ireland – The Border and a Border Poll | Visit to Kilmainham Gaol |
| Wednesday | Teaching Pronunciation: Models and Goals | Poetry in the Classroom / Patrick Kavanagh, Canal Bank | The Buskers and Street Art Walk and Talk Tour with teacher |
| Thursday | Literature, Culture and Stereotypes | Women in Irish Society | Free afternoon |
| Friday | Storytelling in the Classroom / Oscar Wilde | Reflection on learning. Developing your Personal Learning Network (PLN) Looking ahead. | End of course Irish Coffee |
| 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 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. 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