English for Action Participatory ESOL Conference
This is an English for Action event:
This is EFA London's first conference exploring participatory approaches to ESOL. This day of stimulating workshops will be hosted by English for Action, leading practitioners of participatory ESOL in the UK, and will bring together educators interested in sharing and developing their understanding of this approach.
- DATE: Saturday 11th October
- TIME: 9.30am to 5.30pm
- LOCATION: EFA London, St Margarets House, 21 Old Ford Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PL
The day will explore participatory ESOL through discussion and interactive example. Sessions will explore useful tools and methods for building class community, participatory curriculum planning, using extended discussion in the classroom and taking community action with students. In participatory style, space will be made throughout the day for discussion and exchange of ideas and conference participants will leave with a range of new practical tools and insights that will enrich their teaching and facilitation.
The event will be an exciting opportunity to share and develop knowledge and experience of participatory methods with like minded practitioners.
Who is the conference for?
The event is primarily aimed at ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teachers and lecturers. It will also be relevant for those campaigning with migrants and refugees, and anyone with an interest in participatory pedagogy.
What do you mean by 'participatory ESOL'?
Participatory ESOL is a radical approach to language learning - and a growing movement across the UK. It's inspired by the critical pedgogy of Brazilian Marxist educator, Paulo Freire, who believed that education is never neutral - it either upholds or challenges the status quo. The Participatory approach rejects the idea that students are passive vessels to be filled with the teacher's knowledge. Instead, all participants (including the teacher) are encouraged to engage critically with the learning process. Curriculum is developed through group dialogue, based on participants' pre-existing experiences, knowledge and daily reality. Language learning is driven by meaningful exchanges between participants in the group, rather than the form through which communication can be achieved. By nurturing exploratory, critical dialogue within the classroom, participants become better able to constructively question orthodoxies outside the classroom. For more information have a look at Reflect ESOL's Vision and Values and 'What is Participatory ESOL'?, the first chapter in the British Council's book 'Language issues in migration and integation'.
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