Training Young Learner Teachers: facing the challenge – Valeria Franca 18th April 2011

Valeria is the Head of Teacher Training at Cultura Inglesa Rio de Janeiro, which employs 750 teachers, most of whom are Young Learner teachers. The reality in Brazil is that having a universitiy degree does not mean a teacher is fully prepared to face a young learners classroom, because teaching at universities is more focused in theory.

As she put it, “teaching is an art, and a difficult one”, so by means of lesson observation, cascade training (training mentors who in turn train teachers at branch level) and informal survey via the school teachers’ Portal, she identified  the need for further In-service training and CPD.

Again by means of Lesson Observation and conversations, teachers’ needs and fears were identified. Simple issues such as the adequate chairs and tables for children were approached and they decided that the training had to start from a pedagogical standpoint. In this line, teachers received training on childhood development in order to understand what they were to expect in class and how to deal with it; were given the opportunity to vent their frustrations/doubts and to reflect on their challenges with an online forum; there were training sessions for teachers of very young kids (ages 4 – 10) and theory was associated with the practical side of classroom management.
Valeria herself shared with teachers her own difficulties to teach young learners via a blog post, showing empathy.

As a result, there was a wave of interest from teachers, not only from those with YL groups, but also from those without. So far, the school has collected info about their action via LO and interviews with teachers, and they’re noticed the level of interest generated with all this movement was immense. In the near future, they will create a blog so that teachers can do sharing and reflection in an online environment. They will also record bits of lessons and make them available online for everyone to access, teachers or non-teachers.

Valeria is very confident that teachers will be more prepared to teach Young Learners with all the actions above.

If you’d like to ask Valeria a question or simply get in touch, she’s available at

valeria.franca@culturainglesa.net
www.valeriabfranca.wordpress.com
Twitter: @vbenevolofranca