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We offer real-time training via videoconferencing to groups of teachers in your institution. How does this work? Your teachers sit together in one room, and we deliver the workshop(s) via a videoconferencing platform. Your teachers see us on a screen at the front of the room, and we interact with them in real time, as in a f2f workshop. We have them do short pair and group work tasks, we solicit and listen to their opinions and experiences, and we interact with them exactly as if we were there in person.
All you need at your end is a suitably sized room, a reliable Internet connection, and a computer connected to a projector – and of course a group of teachers who need training! Our virtual workshop(s) can be followed up with one-hour virtual mentoring sessions for small groups of your teachers, to help them embed the new concepts, ideas and activities effectively into their classroom practice. We also deliver conference plenary talks to large audiences via videoconferencing.
Language students increasingly expect technology to be an integrated part of their learning, both in and outside the classroom. In the world of English language teaching, schools with a competitive edge are those that can offer their students quality language teaching by teachers who know how to integrate into their teaching the kinds of technologies that students themselves are already using in their everyday lives. To do this effectively, teachers need training. We can offer your teachers this training – virtually.
Virtual Training is real-time teacher training delivered via videoconferencing to groups of teachers in your institution. Your teachers sit together in one room, and one of our expert trainers (Gavin Dudeney and/or Nicky Hockly) delivers the workshop(s) via our videoconferencing platform (Adobe Connect) or via Skype. Your teachers see us on a screen at the front of the room, and we interact with them in real time, as in a f2f workshop. We have them do short pair and group work tasks, we solicit and listen to their opinions and experiences, and we interact with them exactly as if we were there in person. All you need at your end is a suitably sized room, a reliable Internet connection, and a computer connected to a projector – and of course a group of teachers who need training! We also deliver conference plenary talks to large audiences via videoconferencing.
You can choose to follow up our virtual workshop(s) with one-hour Virtual Mentoring sessions for small groups of your teachers. Our Virtual Mentoring approach is based on sound academic research into effective CPD (Continual Professional Development). Research shows that to be most effective, CPD needs to:
Our Virtual Training & Mentoring incorporates all of these elements. You have the option of combining initial virtual workshops for your teachers with follow-up virtual mentoring over several months, thus ensuring that the concepts, ideas and activities explored in the workshops become embedded in your teachers’ classroom practice over time. This reflects an ongoing, supported and sustainable approach to training and CPD. Teacher reflection is aided by weekly, bi-weekly or monthly small group virtual mentoring sessions led by the virtual workshop trainer.
The regular virtual mentoring sessions support collaboration between teachers in carrying out small, achievable classroom-based activities or projects (chosen by teachers), and prioritise guided reflection and feedback on their classroom practice. Institutional support and sustainability for this CPD model is sought by involving your head teachers/academic managers in the mentoring process, so that they are equipped in the long term to provide effective mentoring for your teachers in house.
Virtual Training & Mentoring can mean considerable savings for you. You do not need to pay for a f2f trainer’s travel, accommodation or expenses, but your teachers get access to some of the best training in the profession. We have an excellent track record in delivering effective Virtual Training & Mentoring to a range of educational institutions internationally.Watch the short video of Nicky delivering a virtual mobile learning workshop to a group of English language teachers in the United Arab Emirates, (above) to see how our Virtual Training works in practice!
Each Virtual Training workshop can last between one and three hours, and a combination of workshops can be put together, depending on the needs of your teachers/school.
Gavin Dudeney (UK) is Director of Technology for The Consultants-E and module leader on the NILE / University of Chichester MA in Professional Development for Language Education. A former Honorary Secretary of IATEFL, he has also been a trustee for International House London and committee member of the Educational Writers Committee of the Society of Authors. He is currently a trustee for Volcano Theatre Company in Swansea, UK, where he lives. A regular keynote speaker at conferences worldwide, Gavin has worked in over 40 countries in the past 20 years. More >>
Nicky Hockly (Spain) is Director of Pedagogy at The Consultants-E. She has been involved in language teaching, teacher training, materials development and instructional design, both online and f2f, since 1987. She holds an MA in TEFL, is an international plenary speaker, and has given seminars, workshops and teacher training courses for practising language teachers all over the world. She is also a member of the TESOL Journal Editorial Board, an OUP EFL Expert Panel member, a consultant for CUP’s English Teacher platform, and a member of the NILE Advisory Board. More >>
All of our Virtual Training workshops are communicative, and based in real classroom practice. We hold the workshops virtually in your school or institution, with a minimum group size of 6 participants and a maximum group size of 30 sitting together in the same room (larger group sizes can be negotiated with us). Your teachers leave our workshops with clear ideas on how to integrate educational technology into their own language classes. For sessions on longer than an hour we highly recommend that your teachers have access to computers during the workshops, either by bringing their own laptops or mobile devices (Wi-Fi access at the venue needed), or in a networked computer room at your school/institution. Our Virtual Mentoring works with small groups of 2 – 5 teachers (slightly larger group sizes for mentoring can be negotiated with us).
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