Training the Trainer of the EYL Teacher in a European Local Context

Suzanne Antonaros & Lilika Couri

Coaching, facilitating, mentoring are the basic characteristics of a teacher trainer's profile. What additional areas of concern does the trainer have when advising, developing and collaborating with teachers of children within a local context? Discussion of the basic premises, policies and frameworks operating within the local environment.

The initial focus of the trainer is the EYL teachers' profile, their expectations and needs, as well as those of the learners and their parents. Additional concerns are the multi-lingual/multi-cultural context, the trainer's evaluation of the teachers' needs and the multi-modal communication between and among them –in the spirit of reflection, introspection and self-evaluation to enhance the motivation and creativity as well as self-esteem of those in the classroom.

Parents as Key Stakeholders in Language Courses for Young Learners

Martha Giannakaki & Doriana Nikaki

This paper is the result of a three-year research project carried out in the Research Centre for Language Teaching, Testing and Assessment (RCeL), University of Athens, investigating parents’ attitudes towards early language learning within the context of the Greek EYL project. Drawing on the significance of the parental role in students’ education (Drake, 2000; Epstein, 2001; Christenson & Sheridan, 2001) and the great influence exerted on young children by the home environment (Sheridan, et.al. 2011; Frome & Eccles, 1998), the present study aims at shedding light on the parents’ role as stakeholders in young learners’ language courses. A large-scale questionnaire survey was realized in two phases (in the school years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012). The findings of the present study reveal the parents’ positive attitudes towards early language learning and highlight their impact on the implementation of the Greek EYL project as an educational innovation. The outcome of the study may be of use to EFL practitioners, teacher trainers, policy makers as well as parents of young learners themselves.

Nine Teacher Stories: Tech-supported Project Work within the PEAP Context

Thalia Hatzigiannoglou & the PEAP Group of Alpha Athens Schools District

A group of nine PEAP teachers working in a “community of practice” with their School advisor who introduces their project work during this session is living proof of the fact that PEAP encourages teachers to become designers of their own materials, making effective use of ICT. During a 6 month preparation period, reflective journals became an important part of the project and helped discussion during regular meetings where members of the group presented procedures, activities, products and evaluation techniques and received ICT training. Peer feedback and problem solving discussions were extensively used throughout the training period, leading to a sense of support and empowerment for all group members. Project material has been uploaded in digital platforms to enable a new tech-centric approach to the instructional process and support innovative, interactive and collaborative learning activities that fully engage learners in interesting experiences, compatible with the PEAP philosophy.

Therefore, during this session, Constantina ANTONIOU will present ‘Learning English with Peppa: Becoming a reflective practitioner through a project designed for second graders’, Foteini VENETI ‘The view from my window: an e-twinning project for 1st or 2nd primary graders’, Georgia GYFTOULA ‘Integrating digital storytelling into a project based on the PEAP material’, Olga DASOURA ‘My first e-book: A tech-centric project based on the PEAP material’, Maria ZAFIROPOULOU ‘My picturesque name: Integrating a teacher diary into a PEAP project ‘ Alexia KOSMETATOU & Ioanna EFTHYMIOU ‘The tree out of my house: Experimenting with CLIL in an e-twinning project for B class primary students’, Thalia KOSTARELOU ‘If you’re happy, clap your hands: Becoming a reflective teacher through a project based on the PEAP material’, Marianna MARTINI ‘Holidays and festivals around the world: Promoting intercultural awareness through a project for first graders’ and, finally, Ioanna CHALKIA will present C&rtoon Bits and Bytes: ‘A fun and engaging tech-supported project based on the PEAP material’.