The training has been organised within the framework of a systemic project „Mobility of educational staff within the framework of institutional projects” implemented by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System in Warsaw co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund, Human Capital Operational Programme.

Session on On-line Teaching Materials

Izabela Dudziak, Poland

Izabela Dudziak, the participant of a project “How to be a teacher trainer”, August 2014 at Pilgrims English Language Courses, Canterbury, Great Britain, works at English Unlimited Teacher Training Centre in Gdańsk, Poland.

The last day of our course in Canterbury was quite unusual. It was the time dedicated to exchanging our experience as foreign language teachers and teacher trainers. It appeared to be a very inspiring and satisfying experience. We were able to share our knowledge and good practice with each other and cherish the fact that somebody else can benefit from them. At the end of the session we felt that what we contributed individually built up the value of us as a group. Our unique contribution during the session helped to develop our competence and the very fact of exchanging was extremely rewarding.

We learnt that we could create our own teaching materials by using an application which we called “clouds”. The website www.wordle.net offers ready-made “clouds” which consist of words presented in very interesting graphics. The “clouds” allow to teach vocabulary in a variety of ways. Teachers can also create their own “clouds” using the website by writing down a few times words which are of special interest. The application is very friendly to use. It gives a lot of options of colours, size, type of letters as well as the manner of connecting words.

Next, we were presented to the idea of planning a lesson based on the latest world news. The site www.breakingnewsenglish.com offers ready-made teaching materials which originate from issues currently presented on TV or the radio. The material supports learners in developing all four language skills. They are perfect for a teacher to plan a lesson which is beyond course book material or which is a one-off situation, like for example a substitution lesson.

We also went through three more teaching material sources, such as www.bbc.uk, www.eslgamesworld.org or www.learnenglish.britishcouncil.org. The first website offers a variety of teaching materials which show how the language is changing. So, to be updated with currently used popular expressions and new words appearing, it is advisable to switch on BBC radio and also refer to their site. The other two websites are strictly connected with teaching English: first offering language games and the other ready-made lessons, for example connected with a holiday.

One of our course participants presented a very interesting aspect of teaching a foreign language. She was responsible for planning and delivering a course of basic methodology for Teacher Training College students. It was then she realized how difficult it is for beginner teachers to plan a lesson. By reminding us of basic rules of a well-planned lesson, such as effective instruction giving or referring to visuals, she made us think how conscious and creative we are about the rules. What role do the rules play in our daily work with students and teachers? Are we going to be effective as teacher trainers to present them to other teachers just beginning their work? I think we all had a chance to consider those questions.

PROJEKT: „Zagraniczna mobilność szkolnej kadry edukacyjnej w ramach projektów instytucjonalnych” współfinansowany przez Unię Europejską w ramach środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego

Please check the How to be a Teacher Trainer course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the Teaching Languages Using Technologies course at Pilgrims website.
Please check the Using Mobile Technology course at Pilgrims website.