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Continuing Professional Development Programme for Primary EFL Teachers in Serbia, 2014-2016
  
Faculty of Education in Jagodina, University of Kragujevac
Embassy of the United States in Belgrade, Serbia
American Corners Serbia
Theme-Based Instruction in Teaching English to Young Learners
Continuing Professional Development Programme for Primary EFL Teachers in Serbia, 2014-2016
The Programme has been accredited by the Institute for Improvement of Education, under no. 702 and the name Theme-Based Instruction in Teaching English to Young Learners for the period 2014-2016. It involves two phases: 1. Two-day face-to-face initial training seminar; 2. One-day face-to-face seminar, about two months after the initial training. The first stage will introduce teachers to theme-based instruction through four 90-minute presentations and four 60-minute demonstrations and workshops, followed by participants’ group work on particular tasks (developing thematic units for specific age groups of young learners). The groups continue developing their thematic units after the first stage of the seminar, then try them out in their teaching settings, post the lesson plans and materials on the wiki page of the Project, and finally, in the second stage, present them in their original groups in one-day face-to-face seminar. The plans and materials are evaluated by all the participants and the trainers, and the participants are awarded certificates of programme completion.
Theme-based approach and instructional strategies, which will be the focus of the training, can considerably contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of language instruction since they facilitate children’s language acquisition and cater to the balanced development of all four skills. Moreover, thematic units make language learning more holistic and create conditions for more natural foreign language learning. In such settings, critical and creative thinking can be enhanced, as well as academic language development. The outcomes of the approach can include primary students’ more positive attitude to language learning, enhanced linguistic skills, particularly academic language, and development of critical and creative thinking. This programme is the result of joint efforts of the American TEYL expert, Prof. Joan Kang Shin from the University of Maryland, and Vera Savic, Lecturer in TEYL at the Faculty of Education in Jagodina, who prepared the materials and trained 17 trainers to carry out teacher training.
Faculty of Education in Jagodina is the institution responsible for the programme. The programme is supported by the Embassy of the United States and American Corners Serbia. We have to thank all the partners for their contribution to the programme.
Vera Savic
In Jagodina, October 2014
Authors of the Programme:
Joan Kang Shin, Education Department, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S.A.
Joan Kang Shin, Ph.D. is a teacher, teacher trainer, professor, and researcher in the field of TESOL. She specializes in professional development programs for teaching English as an international language to young learners and teenagers. She is also an expert in online TESOL education and conducts research on building international virtual communities of practice for English teachers. She is currently working at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and is Series Editor for a ground breaking 6-level primary English series for National Geographic Learning called Our World. She has also designed a professional development video series for Our World. Her most recent book co-authored with Jodi Crandall is called Teaching Young Learners English.
Dr. Joan Kang Shin is the Director of TESOL Professional Training Programs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). In this position she administers numerous online professional development programs for EFL teachers in over 100 countries, including her own courses Teaching English to Young Learners and Teaching English to Teens. At UMBC, she is also a Professor of Practice in the Education Department and Project Director of the STEP T for ELLs Program (Secondary Teacher Education and Professional Training for English Language Learners) funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
https://sites.google.com/site/shinjinshil
Vera Savić, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
Vera Savić holds M.Phil. degree from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology, and works as Lecturer at the Faculty of Education in Jagodina, University of Kragujevac, Serbia, where she teaches methodology courses in teaching English to young learners (TEYL). She is also TEFL Teacher Trainer accredited by the Ministry of Education of Serbia, TKT Essentials Teacher Trainer accredited by the British Council Serbia, and co-author of and presenter in accredited continuing professional development programmes for primary and secondary teachers of English. She co-authored the training-of-trainers programme and continuing professional development programme Theme-Based Instruction in Teaching English to Young Learners (TBI in TEYL), which she developed during her study visit to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), U.S.A., in 2012, upon being awarded a scholarship by the Department of State, and after completing the online E-Teacher Scholarship Programme Teaching English to Young Learners, provided by UMBC. She has been very active in organising TEYL Conference, presenting at conferences in the country and abroad, and publishing papers in applied linguistics. Her areas of interest include TEYL, CLIL, developing reading skills and inclusive EFL teaching.
Email: tbi.jagodina@gmail.com
TBI Teacher Trainers
Anica Djokić, M.A., email: teacher.anica.djokic@gmail.com
Biljana Pavlović, B.A., email: bilja.biba@gmail.com
Danijela Prošic-Santovac, Ph.D., email: d.prosic.santovac@gmail.com
Dragana Stefanović, B.A., email: bilingualgimgm@gmail.com
Gordana Klasnja, B.A., email: gogicaklasnja@yahoo.co.uk
Ivana Banković, M.A., email: ivanabankovickg@gmail.com
Ivana Milosević, M.A., email: ivana.milosevic@hotmail.com
Ivana Ćirković-Miladinović, Ph.D., email: ivanajag@yahoo.co.uk
Ivona Ranđelović, M.A., email: srdjan75@gmail.com
Jelena Filipović, M.A., email: jfilipovic@open.telekom.rs
Marijana Matić, Ph.D., email: merimaks@gmail.com
Nataša Jonović, B.A., email: natasha.jonovic@gmail.com
Nenad Miladinović, M.A., email: nenad_miladinovic@yahoo.com
Nevena Kostić, M.A., email: nevenak81@yahoo.com
Sanja Tasić, B.A., email: a.s.tasic@medianis.net
Valentina Nikolovski, B.A., email: missmitic@yahoo.co.uk
Zorica Jovanović, B.A., email: orica12@yahoo.com
Programme Timetable
DAY ONE |
9.00 – 9.30
(10.00 – 10.30) |
Introduction to the Programme (30 min) |
9.30 – 11.00
(10.30 – 12.00) |
Presentation 1: Best Practices for TEYL (90 min) |
11.00 – 11.20
(12.00 – 12.20) |
Coffee Break (20 min) |
11.20 – 12.50
(12.20 – 13.50) |
Presentation 2: Theme-Based Instruction in TEYL: Creating effective thematic units (90 min) |
12.50 – 13.35
(13.50 – 14.35) |
Lunch Break (45 min) |
13.35 – 14.35
(14.35 – 15.35) |
Workshop 1: Demonstration of a Thematic Unit ("Weather") (60 min) |
14.40 – 15.40
(15.40 – 16.40) |
Workshop 2: Challenges and Potential of Theme-Based Instruction: discussing the demo (60 min) |
15.40 – 16.00
(16.40 – 17.00) |
Coffee Break (20 min) |
16.00 – 17.00
(17.00 – 18.00) |
Group work 1: Creating Thematic Units Appropriate for Grades 1-4 in Serbia (preparation) (60 min) |
DAY TWO |
9.00 – 10.30
(10.00 – 11.30) |
Presentation 3: Assessment in Theme-Based Instruction (90 min) |
10.30 – 10.50
(11.30 – 11.50) |
Coffee Break (20 min) |
10.50 – 12.20
(11.50 – 13.20) |
Presentation 4: 21st Century Skills for Young Learners (90 min) |
12.20 – 13.05
(13.20 – 14.05) |
Lunch Break (45 min) |
13.05 – 14.05
(14.05 – 15.05) |
Workshop 3: Using Stories/Picture Books in Theme-Based Instruction (60 min) |
14.10 – 15.10
(15.10 – 16.10) |
Workshop 4: Using Multimedia in Theme-Based Instruction (60 min) |
15.10 – 15.30
(16.10 – 16.30) |
Coffee Break (20 min) |
15.30 - 16.30
(16.30 – 17.30) |
Group work 2: Creating Thematic Units Appropriate for Grades 1-4 in Serbia (development) (60 min) |
16.30 – 17.00
(17.30 – 18.00) |
Evaluation of Stage One |
DAY THREE (two months after the initial two-day training) |
9.00 – 10.30
(10.00 – 11.30) |
Workshop 5: Demonstration of Thematic Units for teaching English to Grade 1 in Serbia (90 min) |
10.35 – 12.05
(11.35 – 13.05) |
Workshop 6: Demonstration of Thematic Units for teaching English to Grade 2 in Serbia (90 min) |
12.05 – 12.50
(13.05 – 13.50) |
Lunch Break (45 min) |
12.50 – 14.20
(13.50 – 15.20) |
Workshop 7: Demonstration of Thematic Units for teaching English to Grade 3 in Serbia (90 min) |
14.25 – 15.55
(15.25 – 16.55) |
Workshop 8: Demonstration of Thematic Units for teaching English to Grade 4 in Serbia (90 min) |
16.00 – 16.30
(17.00 – 17.30) |
Evaluation of Stage Two |
16.30 – 16.45
(17.30 – 17.45) |
Evaluation of the Programme |
16.45 – 17.00
(17.45 – 18.00) |
Certification |
TBI Seminars – Phase One:
December 2014:
1. American Corner Novi Sad, Dec. 5-6, 2014; TBI teacher trainers: Zorica Jovanovic, Valentina Nikolovski, and Ivana Ćirković-Miladinović.
2. American Corner Kragujevac, Dec. 10-11, 2014; TBI teacher trainers: Marijana Matić and Nenad Miladinović.
3. American Corner Niš, Dec. 12-13, 2014; TBI teacher trainers: Ivana Milošević and Valentina Nikolovski.
4. American Corner Vranje, Dec. 12-13, 2014; TBI teacher trainers: Sanja Tasić and Ivana Banković.
January 2015:
5. Faculty of Education in Jagodina, Jan. 24-25, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Danijela Prošić-Santovac, Vera Savić, Ivana Ćirković-Miladinović and Biljana Pavlović.
February 2015:
6. American Corner Belgrade, Feb. 12-13, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Nataša Jonović, Danijela Prošić-Santovac, Dragana Stefanović and Jelena Filipović.
7. American Corner Bujanovac, Feb. 21-22, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Anica Djokić and Gordana Klašnja.
TBI Seminars – Phase Two:
February 2015:
1. American Corner Vranje, Feb. Feb. 21, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Sanja Tasić and Ivana Banković
March 2015:
2. American Corner Novi Sad, March 7, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Zorica Jovanovic and Gordana Klašnja
3. American Corner Kragujevac, March 7, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Marijana Matić and Nenad Miladinović.
4. American Corner Niš, March 14, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Ivana Milošević and Dragana Stefanović.
5. American Corner Bujanovac, March 21, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Anica Djokić and Gordana Klašnja.
April 2015:
6. American Corner Belgrade, April 3, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Nataša Jonović and Jelena Filipović.
7. Faculty of Education in Jagodina, April 5, 2015; TBI teacher trainers: Danijela Prošić-Santovac and Vera Savić.
Photos
Novi Sad, Dec. 5, 2014
Kragujevac, Dec. 10, 2014
Niš, Dec. 12, 2014
Vranje, Dec. 12, 2014
Jagodina, Jan. 24, 2015
Jagodina, Jan. 24, 2015
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