Hard work and dedication...

Week nine: 22/04/2013 - 28/04/2013
Professional Development

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

(Nelson Mandela, 2003)

Professional life in Linz is well and truly in full flow and I must say I am enjoying every minute of it! As you would expect both Warren and myself have busy schedules and are currently in the middle of several projects and assignments, but personally I would have it no other way. The Erasmus Program is not just a 'holiday' as many would think, infact, far from it. This experience (as enjoyable as it may be) involves hard work and dedication, commitment and oraganisation. Each of these aspects remain at the top of my prioirty list and are essential in achieving a positive Erasmus experience.

Content and Language Integrated Learning...

One module which I have really enjoyed and found beneficial has been Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). This course is led by Catherine Carre-Karlinger, a passionate and extremely knowledgeable pioneer of CLIL within Europe. This course is used to describe educational methods where subjects are taught through a foreign language. CLIL has dual-focused aims, namely the learning of content, and the simultaneous learning of a foreign language.

A CLIL lesson carried out by some Turkish students...

I must admit when I first found out I would be taking this module I did have my doubts! How would this benefit a Post-Primary Technology and Design teacher based in Northern Ireland? Well, I was very wrong indeed. CLIL brings with it numerous advantages. Firstly it allows language to be used for real purpose and in context; it can be a very effective way of linking with other subjects. I feel within Northern Ireland it could be very motivating. Children will learn a language without thinking about it and discuss points of view which can contribute to an intercultural understanding.

Warren and I presenting to the class

In general my courses at the Padagogische Hochschule are very diverse, but they share one thing in common, presentations. Presentations are a big part of my modules here and would normally happen twice if not three times a week. When it comes to standing up in front of a group of people, confidence is not something that I lack. However, having to present different topics to a room full of differing nationalities can prove challenging. As Northern Ireland itself is becoming more and more multi-cultural, these experiences will stand me in good stead for many years to come.

Some of our Erasmus friends enjoying our presentation...

School practice itself has been progressing nicely. I feel at this point I have developed some strong relationships with both the staff and pupils at the Europaschule. Mrs Ratzinger (class teacher) allows us to integrate with the pupils every week and assist them with their English linguistic skills. This week for example the pupils were working on their past, present and future tenses and being a native English speaker can be very helpful for the children and at times the teachers. Next week I have been asked to prepare a short activity for the pupils at the beginning of class, I look forward to this very much!


All in all I am thoroughly enjoying and embracing the professional life here in Linz. The university work is certainly piling up but whether it be an assignment, making a video or carrying out a presentation, each aspect is proving great fun,  and very rewarding!

Gute Nacht,

James

References:

• Walsh, E. Catherine., (2009) Education Reform and Social Change: Multicultural Voices, Struggles and Visions, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc, New Jersey.