In the workplace education context, challenges include creating language classes comprising a group of students with similar language abilities and retaining a cohort of students through a program. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for contextualization and flexibility will become more evident. Planning plays a central role in an effective program with multi-level classes, as individual student needs and abilities will inform approaches and classroom activities (Emmenecker, 2003; Ng, 2002; Wonacott, 2000).

Activities:

Throughout the workshop, participants will actively engage in a series of exploratory tasks, discussions, and brainstorming sessions that will produce concrete strategies and approaches for tackling curriculum challenges workplace educators face.

Webinar 1: May 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: The first session will comprise several activities focused on compiling curriculum strategies, contextualizing instruction, implementing base language needs, and adapting curriculum based on learners’ evolving needs.

In the two weeks between the first and second sessions, participants will plan or implement some of the strategies from the first session (depending on what current circumstances allow for), and reflect on the needs of their individual learning environments.

Webinar 2: June 11th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: In the second session, facilitators will provide time and space for practice and feedback. Participants will further share and explore approaches to contextualizing curricula and integrating research-based instructional practices. Focused activities will allow participants to explore a variety of curriculum design methods and classroom formats, so that they can better develop and improve specific designs for their own contexts.

Citations available upon request.

Time Commitment: (4 hours)

The total time for this PD activity is approximately 4 hours. All activities are required to complete the PD.

Part 1: Webinar (1.5 hours)

Part 2: Reflection and/or Implementation (30-60 minutes)

Part 3: Webinar (1.5 hours)

We will be contacting you with information on how to access the webinar. Watch for a confirmation email from rbanovic@worlded.org.