Innovative Approaches to Language Learning

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to equip language teachers with innovative strategies and digital tools to create engaging and interactive learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners. Participants will explore effective methods for redesigning the classroom experience, enhancing foreign language teaching, and fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

The course will delve into the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, providing participants with the necessary knowledge to understand and effectively utilize AI tools such as ChatGPT. Participants will learn how to leverage these tools to prepare lessons more efficiently, generate new ideas, and create interactive and engaging classroom activities.

Emphasis will be placed on developing digital literacy and exploring various digital tools for foreign language teaching, including tools for formative assessment, game-based learning, and collaborative technologies. Participants will learn how to design and implement lessons tailored to specific classroom needs, employing multimodal approaches such as scavenger hunts to enhance student engagement.

The course will also explore the power of storytelling techniques in foreign language teaching, promoting fluency, collaboration, and cultural awareness. Participants will learn how to effectively integrate drama activities into their lessons, fostering an immersive and engaging learning experience for students.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided cultural visit within Čakovec and Međimurje County. This visit will allow participants to explore local heritage sites, cultural institutions, or eco-conscious organizations, drawing inspiration and practical examples for integrating cultural elements and sustainable practices into their language teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to innovative language teaching

  • Icebreakers and networking activities
  • Introduction to the course and participants
  • Overview of the course methodology and expectations
  • Exploring the role of innovation in foreign language teaching
  • Sharing personal experiences and challenges in engaging language learners
  • Group discussions: Fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment

Day 2: Integrating artificial intelligence and redesigning the classroom experience

  • Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) in education
  • Utilizing ChatGPT and other AI tools for language teaching
  • Skills and techniques for modern language educators
  • Hands-on activities: Redesigning classroom experiences with AI tools

Day 3: Digital tools and cultural exploration

  • Best digital tools for foreign language teaching
  • Tools for formative assessment, game-based learning, and collaborative technologies
  • Creating multimodal scavenger hunts for language classrooms
  • Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
  • Post-visit activities: Incorporating cultural elements and sustainable practices into language lessons

Day 4: Storytelling and experiential learning

  • Effective storytelling techniques for foreign language teaching
  • Exploring ICT and AI storytelling tools
  • Hands-on activities: Developing engaging storytelling and drama-based language lessons
  • Group review and feedback

Day 5: Project-based learning and course wrap-up

  • The benefits of project-based learning and experiential approaches
  • Flipping the classroom and engaging students with interactive tools
  • Presentations: Participants share their innovative language teaching projects and strategies
  • Course evaluation and feedback
  • Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the role of innovation in foreign language teaching and explore strategies for redesigning the classroom experience to enhance student engagement.
  • Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, into their language teaching practices, leveraging these tools to prepare lessons efficiently and create interactive activities.
  • Utilize various digital tools for foreign language teaching, including tools for formative assessment, game-based learning, and collaborative technologies.
  • Design and implement multimodal language lessons, such as scavenger hunts, tailored to specific classroom needs and fostering student engagement.
  • Incorporate effective storytelling techniques and methods into their language lessons, promoting fluency, collaboration, and cultural awareness.
  • Develop engaging and interactive language learning experiences through project-based learning and experiential approaches.
  • Collaborate with fellow language teachers to share best practices, strategies, and resources for implementing innovative approaches and digital tools in language teaching.
  • Incorporate cultural elements and sustainable practices observed during the guided cultural visit into their language teaching methodologies, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious practices.
  • Evaluate their own teaching practices and develop an action plan for continuous improvement in implementing innovative approaches and digital tools for engaging language instruction.
  • Promote a collaborative and engaging learning environment that fosters a sense of community and enhances language acquisition.

Course fee:

  • 400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

  • At least 25 hours of course content;
  • Course materials;
  • Certificate of participation;
  • Europass, on request;
  • Learning / Mobility Agreement;
  • Visits to local institutions, if available;
  • Personalized support;
  • Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
  • Refreshments;
  • Administration costs;
  • Dissemination materials.
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