Other Information

All of our teacher development courses are eligible for ERASMUS+ funding

Course Overview:
In the language classroom we can be faced with teaching a variety of ages, cultures and learning backgrounds. As well as these more obvious differences, learners also come with their unique ways of learning. Therefore, all learners, including those with specific learning differences may benefit from a variety of teaching strategies. Tapping into this and teaching learners in the way that they learn best is often a daunting task. This course takes a practical approach, looking at ways of engaging learners using multi-sensory learning techniques, which aim to engage learners on a multitude of levels.
The course looks at specific learning differences that we may encounter in our classrooms, and also refers to the hotly-debated issue of ‘learning styles’. The sessions are underpinned by theoretical considerations, though the principal aim is to support teachers in the inclusive classroom to help learners engage and learn. We will look at a range of practical ideas which can be implemented immediately in lessons.

Who is the course suitable for?
This course is aimed at teachers of English and would also be useful for teachers using English in class (as in a CLIL context). The course would be suitable for primary to secondary teachers as well as teachers of adults, as course content is designed to reflect the needs of the participants.

What will the course include?
As a course participant, you will receive a pre-course questionnaire, which should be returned prior to the course. This is to ensure that the areas of most relevance to you are integrated into the course content. Throughout the course you will be invited to reflect on your own professional practices.
In addition to developing your language skills, the course will include content drawn from some or all of the following areas, depending on your contextual and personal needs and priorities:

• Looking at a variety of learning difficulties and differences, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia and their effects on learning
• Carrying out experimental tasks which invite teachers to step into the shoes of a learner with a specific learning difference
• Analysing teaching methods in the light of learning differences
• Taking a look at different ways of processing information, from semantic to phonological, visual to auditory and how this may affect learning
• Exploring resources and aids in the immediate environment
• Exploring multisensory learning techniques first-hand as a basis for reflection and / or adapting and designing materials
• Exploring and extending teaching strategies to teach grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
• Exploring and extending teaching strategies to teach skills-based lessons; reading, writing, speaking, listening
• Looking at principles of scaffolding in multisensory learning such as recycling, cumulative and sequential learning.
• Using assessment tools
• Looking at the affective filter hypothesis and its relevance in our classrooms

All NILE courses involve a significant element of English language improvement and/or development of language awareness.

How long is the course?
The 50-hour course provision includes intensive tuition and guided self-study.
Classes are held from Monday to Friday and take place as detailed in the course-specific timetable but within the hours 0915 – 1715.

What approach is used?

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• Classes will be practical and ‘hands-on’, but with reference to relevant theory.
• Courses are participant-centred and entail involvement in tasks and activities, which boost confidence and provide memorable learning contexts.
• Tasks will be used to illustrate the key course objectives through procedure as well as content. 
• The approach to learning also includes opportunities for reading and research and guest lectures from well-known figures in the field of ELT.

Facilities and resources
NILE course participants have free access to an extensive ELT library and a modern suite of computers with a broadband Internet link. The NILE course venues have a wireless (Wi-Fi) environment. Each course has a Moodle online learning environment where course materials and views of course participants can be shared digitally. This is kept active for at least six months beyond the course so you can keep in touch with fellow course participants.