Emma Heyderman
A group of students or a community of learners?
Whether face-to-face, online or a mix of both, why is growing a community of engaged learners important? This very practical workshop will begin by addressing this question and then explore some of the key factors. In the second part, I will demonstrate some of the activities I use to help learners feel they belong.
SESSION ABSTRACT
In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity
to reflect on the importance of growing a community of active and engaged learners.
experience and evaluate some lesson activities.
consider whether these ideas could be incorporated into a teaching repertoire.
1. Why is building a community of learners important?
I recently taught an intensive hybrid class where half the students were in the classroom, and the other half were at home. By the end of the second day, I realised that I still had a collection of students rather than a community of learners; there was lack of engagement, no interest in each other and little interaction.
2 So what lesson activities can encourage community?
We’ll experience and evaluate some lesson activities organised around the following headings:
Engagement
Co-operation
Belonging & feeling important
We’re all learners
Have fun!
3 Feedback and Round-up
Takeaways, further reading and useful websites
SPEAKER BIO
Emma Heyderman has been involved in EFL since 1989. She is Director of Education for Lacunza – International House, San Sebastian where she is responsible for the academic programme and professional development. She has given sessions and workshops at a local, national and international level. She has also written coursebooks, including Influence (Macmillan) and Complete Preliminary (Cambridge).