Embedded Files
Improve your English for Teachers with CLIL methodology
Day 1: Introduction to STPM and building connections
Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital city and gets its name from "smoky bay" due to geothermal steam.
We started the journey with an active introduction to the STPM approach, highlighting Iceland’s innovation in education, sustainability, and technology. We started the day with the presentation of participants' teaching context. It's very interesting to know anything else about the educational context beyond the traditional stereotypes.
Then, teacher introduced us digital tools for sharing resources and we were Exploring Iceland’s unique cultural and educational heritage through "The Icelandic Corner".
We finished connecting with new European colleagues through engaging ice breaking activities.
Let's enjoy this Erasmus trip!
Day 2: Introduction and building confidence in English communication
We began with icebreaker activities designed to create confidence and ease in using English.
After that, we were exploring speaking boards as a practical tool for discussing classroom routines, subjects, and Q&A sessions.
Grammar in action – Bringing language to life
This session was focused on practical language. We were using it to build confidence and fluency in real-life classroom contexts. Afterwards, we were exploring classroom verbs through movement and gestures, connecting language with action for better retention.
In the end, we were practising with present simple and present continuous tenses through creative activities that involve cultural comparisons, sensory experiences, and team-based challenges.
Day 3: Exploring tenses through interaction
Today, the main focus was to build confidence using future expressions to discuss plans, predictions, and possibilities. Beyond that, we were practising the present perfect tense with activities that encouraged reflection on past experiences, accomplishments, and shared stories. This session emphasised active participation, playful repetition, and real-life classroom scenarios to improve fluency and accuracy.
Afterwards, we took part in hands-on activities to practise tenses and language functions in real-life contexts.
Finally, we explored how simple tools, like play dough, can become powerful resources for practising grammar and communication skills creatively.
Day 4: Insights into Icelandic education and sustainability
Today we had the opportunity to visit one of Reykjavík’s newest schools: Dalskoli. It's a school from kindergarten to secondary.
The Icelandic education system is a publicly-funded, four-level structure that includes pre-school, compulsory (ages 6-16), upper secondary, and higher education. It emphasizes an inclusive and comprehensive approach, with education being free and compulsory for 10 years. After compulsory school, students can pursue academic or vocational paths at the upper secondary level, followed by university for those who wish to continue their education
Day 5: Sharing experiences through storytelling
Today the main focus was discovering the power of storytelling using story maps and visual prompts. Storytelling is the art of conveying narratives or stories to an audience using words, visuals, or actions to engage, inform, entertain, or inspire. It is a fundamental form of communication and a cultural activity that involves a storyteller and a listener, fostering empathy, connection, and the transmission of knowledge, values, and experiences.
Then, we were using the past simple tense through interactive activities that encouraged sharing personal experiences and memorable moments. Later, we were practising sentence construction and fluency with engaging tasks that bring past events to life.
Finally, we were share teaching strategies.
Day 6: Let’s get creative with language
The day began expanding our English vocabulary with adjectives and adverbs through interactive activities. We could experience how traditional worksheets can be transformed into dynamic, language-rich activities, encouraging active participation and discussion.
Later, we used digital collaboration tools to create a vision plan with actionable goals for improving our English skills.
To conclude the day, we made an evaluation and feedback discussion, reflecting on our growth and future language-learning goals.
We ended this intense week with the ceremony of awarding the course attendance diplomas.
Day 7: Mindfulness, Reflection, and English in action
As a final touch we visited an authentic Icelandic well-being tradition at a thermal swimming pool and hot tubs. This screen-free experience offered a chance to relax, reflect on my progress, and practise conversational English in a natural, informal setting.
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