The New English Classroom (EFL): Integrating AI, Inquiry, and Experiential Learning

Description

Concept by Magdalena Ogiello-Irvine

Are you struggling with keeping your students engaged and motivated in your EFL classroom?
Welcome to the English Classroom of the Future!

In this exciting course, you’ll dive into the vibrant world of holistic English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, where inquiry, technologies, and experiential learning transform your students into enthusiastic language learners.

By integrating innovative methodologies and cutting-edge AI tools, this course provides you with the skills to create immersive language experiences.

Picture your students grasping grammar, vocabulary, and language skills through dynamic, real-world activities that ignite their curiosity and foster a love for learning.

This approach fosters a better understanding of language, making learning dynamic, effective, and technologically enriched.

Throughout the week, you’ll engage in interactive workshops, lively discussions, and practical activities designed to make learning both effective and fun.

These strategies will promote student engagement, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking to enhance the learning experience and deeper understanding of the content and retention.

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Create a student-focused classroom where exploration and discovery are encouraged;
• Apply teaching strategies adaptable to any unit within textbooks;
• Foster student engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking;
• Enhance students’ retention of language content through real-world examples and activities;
• Incorporate AI tools to make language learning engaging and practical;
• Develop confidence in creating dynamic EFL classrooms that cater to diverse learner needs;
• Reflect on teaching practices to improve language outcomes.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreakers and warm-up exercises to foster a positive learning environment;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools.

Day 2 – Holistic learning

• Simple techniques to empower learner autonomy, motivation, and engagement;
• Strategies to cater to different learning styles for effective language acquisition;
• Reflection and sharing experiences to reinforce learning.

Day 3 – Embracing inquiry, discovery, and experiential learning

• Bringing grammar, vocabulary, and language skills to life with experiential and guided discovery learning;
• Hands-on workshop to explore the integration of cultural and global awareness activities;
• Group discussion to exchange ideas and insights.

Day 4 – AI for language teaching and learning

• Understanding the role of AI for both teachers and learners;
• Practical session on exploring and designing interactive digital activities using AI tools;
• Brainstorming session to integrate technology into lesson plans.

Day 5- Building a dynamic EFL classroom

• Reflection on the course and implementation of new strategies in your classroom;
• Develop comprehensive activities.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.