EUROLTA / ICC CERTIFICATION programme for Language Adult Trainers- Level one

EUROLTA is an internationally recognised qualification for those who wish to teach modern languages to adults. It is recognised by all member organisations of the ICC – International Language Network (www.icc-languages.eu ) and guarantees that the holder of the qualification has acquired a high level of proficiency in teaching languages to adults.
The training programmes offered under the EUROLTA scheme reflect a modern approach to language teaching and teacher training. Certification is based on the evaluation of a dossier containing samples of the teacher’s work. The Level One EUROLTA Certificate certifies the holder’s ability to plan and deliver classes of a set study programme and recommended teaching resources within a certain institutional context as well as to reflect on one’s performance and that of one’s peers. The EUROLTA Certificate is a world-wide recognized qualification in the adult language education.

Please note: this course is a part of the blended learning training course that last 10 months. The rest of the programme is held online. This course is offered in Greek only. In 2018 it will be offered in English too.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the seminar, participants are expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills that will enable them to:

Ø – become more aware of the system of the target language and be made familiar with the tools and know-how necessary to analyse communication and language use,

Ø develop awareness of current theories of language acquisition and of socio-cultural and intercultural issues involved in language learning and integrate this knowledge in their teaching,

Ø learn to recognise learners as individuals with their own learning styles, motivation and aims and act appropriately in their teaching,

Ø gain confidence and acquire skills in managing processes in the classroom,

Ø develop a repertoire of teaching skills and techniques and become able to make judgements as to when and how to use them,

Methodology

The methodology and approach adopted in the training reflects the overall aims stated above. In particular, it aims to

Ø reflect the general ethos of ICC training courses, which implies a “learning by doing, reflecting and sharing ideas” approach

Ø be characterised by a cooperative learning style, involving trainees wherever possible in the planning and shaping of the programme

Ø present opportunities to extend theoretical knowledge of language, learning and teaching as well as to evaluate and improve practical skills

Ø integrate practical exercises and the observation of teaching/learning (themselves, their own classes, others, other classes, video sequences) with subsequent analysis

Ø provide opportunities for self-evaluation, assessment by peers as well as offer opportunities for trainees to evaluate the training programme

The course is based on the principles of participatory adult education, by embodying participants’ experiences and fostering the exchange of their ideas, proposals and materials. Its focus is not merely on the didactic aspect of teaching adults but also on the participants’ social and cultural knowledge gained through education, and teaching to different target groups throughout Europe. During the course, the following techniques will be implemented: working in subgroups and pairs, role play, microteaching, lectures, guided conversation, brainstorming, language and educational games and experiential activities.

The course also includes observation sessions in language classes for adults as well as practicum (teaching an adult Greek language class & / or microteaching in the trainee teachers’ class) Before the observation sessions, participants will be appropriately prepared by the educators for the purpose and method of the observation. During this, participants will have the opportunity to assess teaching Greek in the specific context by applying the techniques of observation, interviewing and group discussion. After its completion, participants will share their learning experience. Before the Practicum, they will cooperate with their trainers so that they prepare their work more thoroughly.

Participants will also be given hand-outs, original materials, lists of intercultural activities and websites for teaching tools and for promoting Greek language and culture. Taking into consideration that the variety of educational tools and equipment offers to participants the opportunity to enrich their educational experience, within the course there will also be implemented the means of video, audio, objects (realia), diagrams, photos and games.

The topics and issues to be explored in basic teacher training programmes are grouped into the following content areas:

1. Language awareness

2. Language and culture

3. Language learning processes

4. Language teaching

5. Planning and evaluation

6. Self-assessment

Through awareness-raising tasks, experimentation, reflection, adaptation and transfer of training contents to their teaching situations, the trainees should develop their teaching competence as well as appropriate strategies to continue their development after the training period is over.

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

Day 1 (Friday)

– Presentation of the participants and their organizations. Presentation of the seminar’s programme and the trainers (educational contract)

– The EUROLTA FRAMEWORK AND INTERNATIONAL PROCEDURES

– Locating the characteristics, the needs and the expectations of our learners

Day 2 (Saturday)

– The adults as learners

– Grading testing of the students and planning the study programme

– Planning a lesson / an educational meeting

Day 3 (Sunday)

– Teaching the text: Didactic techniques and techniques for assimilating the text

– Teaching the vocabulary: Didactic techniques and techniques for assimilating the vocabulary

– The selection and evaluation of the textbook and the teaching materials

Day 4 (Monday)

– Observation sessions in a class of adult learners (part a)

– Observation sessions in a class of adult learners (part b)