Date: 21-22 September 2017
Venue: Institut national des langues (INL), 15 rue Léon Hengen, 1745 Luxembourg
Participants : 28 teachers and teacher trainers from the different language departments at INL; course organisers and teachers at ASTI Asbl (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés)
Participation in the Adult Migrants – Quality Assurance in Language and Citizenship Courses workshop is especially worthwhile for course organisers and teachers who work in a school environment that caters to a large immigrant population. Referring to the criteria in the Self-Assessment Handbook for Providers of Courses for Adult Migrants, the moderators encourage the participants to consider how well courses are designed for this particular student population and to what extent the learning objectives are derived from a needs assessment of this specific student group.
Another focus of the workshop is on lesson planning and the selection of appropriate materials and activities to achieve the course objectives while constantly keeping in mind the students’ specific needs. The importance of choosing suitable teaching methods and techniques to facilitate the acquisition of the target language with a culturally and educationally diverse group of learners is also highlighted.
Adequate time is allowed for discussion of key issues and case studies, the exchange of practice and (classroom) experiences. One of the main strengths of the workshop is the provision of numerous opportunities to share knowledge and information. Deliberate reflection on the various aspects of teaching and learning is encouraged and plays a key role. This approach should allow the development of teacher competencies, more varied practices and ultimately improved courses.
Christiane Klein (local organiser), Institut national des langues, Luxembourg