Foundation Course Details

This course will guide you in adopting and implementing a coaching mindset and give you a sound background to start from. 

The foundation course consists of 4 training modules - each module is 2 hours in length and attendance is necessary for all 4 modules to receive your ILCA course completion certificate. The course is a mixture of the foundational theory behind language coaching practices, applied practice of coaching models, and discussion based session. 

The modules include:

Module 1: The Language Coaching Methodology and Framework

Module 2: Questioning Techniques and Peer Coaching 

Module 3: The Language Coaching Toolkit

Module 4:  Application - Further tools and practice

What you gain from course completion:

Teachers: 

• Increase your credibility and add to your professional toolkit with a number of ready to use LC tools.
• Decrease your professional blindspots and put an end to ’dead-end’ situations when you reframe the mindset of difficult learners.
• Learn how to maximize your lessons so lesson prep time decreases and student motivation increases.
• Feel  the difference in your approach to communicating in the classroom.
• Learn to exploit your  lessons to the extreme.
• Become acutely aware of what is going on when language learners seem frustrated and demotivated and learn to support with strength and ease.
• See your teaching from a new perspective as well as the challenges in the teaching/learning process.
• Acquire basic coaching competencies, thus deepening your teaching/training processes.
• Experience interactive work with professional peers, as high involvement is expected of all participants for maximum results. 

Module Details: 

Module 1: The Language Coaching Methodology and Framework

• History of and definition of coaching and what it is not 
• Coaching standards, int’l overview 
• Core competencies of a coach
• Reasons why LC is so relevant and topical today
• Similarities and differences between language coaching and language teaching
• Various styles of coaching – what holds them together, common attributes of these
• Structure of a LC process 
• Demo Coaching

Module 2: Questioning Techniques and Peer Coaching 

• Learner techniques, style and strategies, personality – and how these influence the learning process
• How can you guide using a positive approach in relation to building a strong learning framework with learners?
• 1 Peer coaching session, reflection of participants + guided discussion
• How to use powerful, practical coaching questions in a LC process

Module 3: The Language Coaching Toolkit

• LC basic toolkit with all features
• Understanding when and how to apply tools to ongoing learning processes
• Working with, trying out tools and activities supporting:

1. goal-setting issues of learners
2. procrastination issues of learners
3. independence issues of learners
4. confidence issues of learners
5. motivation issues of learners

• Demo coaching demonstration

Module 4:  Application - Further tools and practice

• 1 Peer coaching session, reflection of participants + guided discussion
• Exploration of further LC tools and activities focusing on teacher communication issues, such as:

1. How to go on if I do not lead or instruct?
2. Questioning technique
3. Providing positive feedback to learners
4. Sustaining a metacognitive (learning-reflective) focus in the teaching process
5. Keeping learners accountable and goal-oriented

Price: 400 euros

Course is held with a minimum of 6 attendees.

Dates: October 13th - November 3rd 2020.  Sessions are held on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm, CEST (Berlin time) (7am to 9am Eastern US time) once a week. Course materials and video playbacks are provided.