The aim of this course is to enable participants to design and implement transformative learning interventions for their students at attitude level. It is well documented that many schools in Europe struggle to include newly arrived refugees. Some of our non-migrant students, in particular, resist accepting refugees in our classes and radicalization of both local youth and adults – migrant and non-migrant alike – is taking place.

The course is specifically designed to help teachers of various fields to increase their skills on how to use art in order to transform negative attitudes towards refugees. The course leads to a Level 7 EQC Certificate in Transformative Learning through the Aesthetic Experience, and is accompanied by a Europass Certificate Supplement with 10 transferable ECVET points.

During this course, the participants will learn how to:

• use art to help their learners self-discover attitude level issues;
• develop critical thinking on stereotypical ideas and premises;
• create lesson plans for their class;
• explore and adopt effective teaching styles;
• support learners of diverse linguistic backgrounds even if they are not language teachers;
• deal with Roma students and other nomad communities
• exploit course content to foster critical and creative thinking on relevant issues.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have:

• improved their competences in critical thinking;
• improved their competences linked to teaching/ training learners from other cultures, and integrating them into their classroom practice;
• improved the quality of their work and activities;
• gained a greater understanding and responsiveness to social, linguistic and cultural diversity;
• increased their ability to address the needs of the disadvantaged;
• improved their competence in English;
• increased their motivation and satisfaction in their daily work;
• built a network of international contacts;
• developed a sense of European citizenship and identity through participating in a community of European teachers and trainers;
• become familiar with the Europass tool.

Participants from different European countries will have the opportunity to discuss their teaching experiences and consider potential future cooperation between their schools or organisations.

Methodology

The main aspect of the course is to promote collaboration between participants. Lessons will be held in our centre’s classrooms and computer lab, as well as outside. Our approach is to base the learning process on practical rather than theoretical knowledge. The course is designed on active learning methods and, at the end of the course, teach participant should be able to use the taught techniques effectively.

Preparation

Every participant will have to fill a questionnaire which helps the trainers to customize the course to better fit their needs.

Attendants will get instructions and material which will help them to be prepared for the courses needs.

Content

Course Contents Overview:

During this course, the participants will participate in learning groups in order to

• make key-concepts clear,
• contextualize key-approaches,
• understand the methodology,
• create lesson plans
• manage culture and race-induced classroom conflicts;
• explore and adopt effective teaching styles;
• exploit course content to foster critical and creative thinking on relevant issues.

Course participants will be given several practical exercises based on the theoretical background provided and their own teaching experiences.

Structured study visits

During the course, we also organize study visits to local schools. Normally, we discuss with participants their needs and we organize study visits to cover these needs. Depending on the group, we organize from a minimum of one to a maximum of five study visits. Popular study visits include:

• A special needs education school
• A school for adults from disadvantaged backgrounds
• A school with Roma mainstreaming classes
• Vocational secondary and post-secondary schools
• General primary and secondary schools

Each study visit is structured and accompanied by reflective activities. There is no extra cost for these study visits.

Outdoors learning

There are two outdoor learning activities: a gamified tour of the town and a visit to a local historical site. The onsite visit is accompanied by non-formal European history learning activities, as well as activities that link this history to the course topic. There is no extra cost for these activities.

Social programme

There is also an optional social programme for those interested. This programme may include an intercultural night, lunches and dinners at different restaurants, going out for a drink or coffee, or even an extra excursion – if there is time! These activities depend on participant needs and wants, and those participating in them will have to pay for what they choose to eat and drink. If there is an optional excursion, they will also have to pay van costs and any other expenses (e.g. museum tickets)

Follow up

The participants will get material which includes information about all the areas covered at the course, lesson plans, all the produced outcomes of the course, useful links and more.

The above material can be freely used by the participants at their school.

Target Group / Who is this course for

This course is for every teacher in primary, secondary, adult or vocational education and training.

Duration and cost

The duration of the course is 7 training days and the cost is 490€. This amount can be fully covered via an Erasmus+ grant provided by your National Agency.

If you have received a grant for a shorter or longer course, let us know! There are options available.

Available Dates

• 2021
  • 18.04.2021 – 24.04.2021

Location

Kalamata is a nice sea-side city in the south of Greece. It’s a quiet top golf destination and the Telegraph has included it in Europe’s 13 must-visit cities.
During your stay here you can stay wherever you want. However, we do propose accommodation. Which we can book for you and from which we offer free transfers to all course sites and activities.

Application assistance

Assistance is available. Don’t hesitate to ask us for help!

Fill now the pre-registration form

Pre-payments and course confirmation

We do not ask for money upfront. You can pay whenever you want including when you arrive here.

We have never canceled a course. We offer our courses only at our headquarters in Kalamata and only a few times per year. As a result, on top of being able to offer quality services all around, we do not have to fly trainers all over the globe and worry about local agents and the extra costs that these incur.