English and Methodology Staff Weeks

English and Methodology Staff Weeks

Faculty of Social Sciences

Are you looking to improve your English language skills and/or enhance your teaching methodology? Look no further than our language centre based at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in the heart of Europe - Prague. Our team of experienced and qualified teachers are excited to offer two week-long courses specifically designed for  higher education teachers and administrative staff.

1. Our English language course for university administrative staff will provide you with the necessary skills to communicate effectively in both professional and social settings. With a focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing, by the end of the week you will have renewed confidence in your English abilities. For more information, scroll down to the English for the Higher Education Workplace course.

2. In addition to our language course, we are also offering a methodology course for non-native English speakers who use English as a medium of instruction (EMI). This course is designed to help you improve your teaching techniques and strategies, ensuring that you are equipped with the latest tools and best practices in the field, all in the context of English language development. See more below in the section How to Teach in English.

Both courses are led by expert instructors who have years of experience teaching English as a second language and working with educators. You will also be able to share your experience and network with international colleagues. As an added bonus, you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Prague and immerse yourself in its rich culture and history. 

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your professional skills and experience all that Prague has to offer. Contact us to learn more and to register for our staff week courses.

We can't wait to welcome you to our language centre!

English for the Higher Education Workplace

English for the Higher Education Workplace is a communicative course aiming to boost the confidence of administrative staff focusing on everyday challenges when dealing with the variety of matters connected with the university agenda. In order that our lecturers can tailor the course appropriately, participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire prior to their arrival so that their needs and wishes are reflected. Attending the course will also provide opportunities for sharing best practice and knowledge exchange with colleagues from partner institutions, and encouraging active participation in each of the sessions. To make the most of the time in Prague, participants will be invited to join afternoon activities; such as a walking tour of the city or cultural events taking place that week.

Who is it for? HE administrative staff who wish to reinforce their English communication skills.

Dates: Monday, 16 September, 2024 to Friday 20 September, 2024

Place: Faculty of Social Sciences, 26 Opletalova, Prague 1

Registration fee: 390,- EUR

Maximum number of participants: 12

Deadline for applying: Monday, 10 June, 2024

To register:  Please fill in this form. (The enrollment will start in March 2024)

Accommodation: Accommodation is not provided. To check availability of Charles University dormitories, please contact the dormitories office, email accommodation@kam.cuni.cz

Minimum English Level: B1 on the CEFR

For more information please contact cjp@fsv.cuni.cz

Course Content (detailed programme will be specified in due course):

 

9.00-10.30 (conversation)

10.45-12.15 (grammar)

13.30-15.00 (afternoon joie de vivre)

Monday

Communication Skills (Socializing, Soft Skills, Emails, Phone Calls, Formal and Informal Language)

Tense Review, Modal Verbs

welcome drink, sharing best practices

 

Tuesday

Critical Thinking (Importance of Objectivity, Flexibility, Fairness, Ability to Explain, Analyse, Evaluate, and Research)

Expressing Opinions, Agreement/Disagreement, Hedging

walking tour of the city centre of Prague with an activity package

 

Wednesday

Leadership (Leadership Skills, Types of Leadership, Everyday Leaders, Being a Role-Model)

 

Comparatives and Superlatives, Conditional Sentences

cultural outing (to be specified)

 

Thursday

Challenges of the Modern World (Manifestations in Everyday Life, Pro and Con Arguments, Exchange Students)

Passives, Comparing and Contrasting Language

picnic (to be specified)

 

Friday

Meetings and Interviews (Work-life Balance, Time Management, Stress Management, Social Media)

Cause and Effect, Connectors

possible exchange of professional knowledge with staff members of the faculty Dean's Office, certificates of attendance, farewell drink

 

 

 

Last year's class

How to Teach in English

The How to Teach in English does exactly what it says on the tin: it is designed to help teachers and lecturers in higher education who deliver their subjects in English, often to international audiences. The course will not only provide insight into the concept of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) by introducing its basic theoretical principles and methodological procedures, but also demonstrate their very practical application. You will learn what to do before, during and after class, how to plan a lesson, manage the classroom and evaluate your students' work. You will see how to make your lectures better structured and more engaging, how to use technology in teaching and how to encourage student participation and autonomy. The opportunity to share learning experience and network with international colleagues will be the icing on the cake.

Who is it for? HE teachers who teach courses in English and are not native English speakers.

Dates: Monday 24 June 2024 to Friday 28 June 2024

Place: Faculty of Social Sciences, 26 Opletalova, Prague 1

Registration fee: 390,- EUR

Maximum number of participants: 12

Deadline for applying: 3 May 2024

To register:  Please fill in this form.

Accommodation: Accommodation is not provided. To check availability of Charles University dormitories, please contact the dormitories office, email accommodation@kam.cuni.cz

Minimum English level: B2

For more information please contact cjp@fsv.cuni.cz

Preliminary Course Timetable:

 

9.00-10.30

10.45-12.15

13.30-15.00

Optional

Monday

Teaching in English: EMI in HE, English as lingua franca

Meeting students: expectations and motivation, communication, multicultural classes

Managing class: classroom language and management, class dynamics

a welcome drink, sharing best practices

Tuesday

Task-based learning, autonomous learning, critical thinking

Microteaching activities

Audio-visual tools, AI

 

Wednesday

Designing a course

Planning a seminar

Learning strategies

a cultural outing (to be specified)

Thursday

Giving a lecture I: presentation skills, organization, structure, navigation language

Giving a lecture II: making it come alive, engaging the audience, visuals

Giving feedback: types of assessment, peer and teacher feedback, rubrics

 

Friday

Microteaching: participant presentation, peer feedback

Microteaching: participant presentation, peer feedback

Microteaching: participant presentation, peer feedback

 

Classroom