August 8th, 2024 english

DCU International Academy (DCUIA) has become a resource for educators looking to expand their knowledge and enhance their teaching practices. Velichka, a high school English teacher who has lived in Paris for 25 years, recently shared her reflections on the 2-week teacher training programme. She emphasised how the programme offered an in-depth exploration of authentic Irish culture, extending learning beyond textbook knowledge to real-life experiences.

Velichka sought to answer her students’ questions about Irish culture with authentic, first-hand experiences. As she puts it, “Being here makes me legitimate as a teacher.”

 “They need something which is either connected to history, they need dates. They need knowledge. They need facts. They need something that they haven’t had before. And so, I think that my challenge will be to offer new information, precise and rich.” 

“Not just focused on the language itself, but things to transmit through the English language – you’ll discover Irish myths and fairy tales.” 

The teacher training course at DCU International Academy exceeded her high expectations. What stood out most about the programme was the professionalism and approachability of the teachers. They were natural, relatable and humorous making the learning environment both enjoyable and constructive. The mutual support among her teacher training colleagues added to the positive experience, creating a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.

For her, language is a vehicle for culture. She was thrilled to learn idioms, jokes, and the “Dublin” pronunciation through spontaneous conversations. This involvement provided a depth of understanding that textbooks could never achieve. She highlighted the importance of experiencing culture first-hand to teach it effectively, believing that “you cannot feel legitimate without seeing and feeling the place.”

“Language actually is a vehicle for culture, so it is not an artificial teaching of culture. We are here and culture surrounds us.“

Velichka offered advice to fellow teachers considering such programmes, she emphasises the invaluable experience of visiting the places you teach about. She believes that walking the streets, talking to locals, and feeling the culture first-hand are essential for passionate and effective teaching. Her experience highlights the significance of learning beyond screens and textbooks to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for students.

“You have to see the place, you have to walk the streets, you have to talk to the people. There is so much about the country which is not written in the books, and it makes you passionate – It’s never artificial intelligence, never a screen, something flat and something which is objective.”

The insights and experiences Velichka gained at DCUIA will undoubtedly enrich her teaching, bringing Irish culture to life in her Parisian classroom. For her, teaching is about sharing experiences that ignite students’ curiosity and passion for learning.

A special thank you to Velichka for sharing her experience and insights with us. 

Our teacher training programmes are ideal for all educators, including teachers, lecturers, and professors currently teaching in English or transitioning to English-medium teaching.

Discover more about our Teacher Training programmes on our website.

___________