Unpacking Internationalisation: an introductory roadmap to teaching glocally

Description

Take the first steps towards mastering the Glocal Classroom: Join our 7-week online programme by UMONS & UFCSPA to navigate internationalisation, debunk myths on teaching through English, and enhance multicultural teaching skills.

Course Content

In an increasingly uncertain global context, academics and lecturers need to address the challenges of the “glocal” classroom and be able to teach a wide variety of students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This nine-week online introductory programme (equivalent to a 30-hour course) is jointly organised by UMONS (Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium) and UFCSPA (Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde, Porto Alegre, Brazil) and will introduce you to different aspects of internationalisation and teaching in English. Throughout the course, we will debunk the myths usually associated with EMI (English Medium of Instruction) and reflect on the concerns or questions that you might face as part of your future teaching activities in the multicultural and multilingual university. We will also look at practical tips on how to better prepare for your (online) classes in English and make it a positive experience for both you and your students.

Course Field(s)

• Internationalisation of Higher Education
• EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction)
• EME (English as a Medium of Education)
• ICLHE (Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education)
• Content Teacher Training and Continuous Professional Development

Study level

The course is open to PhD students and lecturers who would like to brush up their language skills, develop teaching strategies in another language of education, and who have an interest in how to internationalise their teaching practices.

If your university is a EUNICE member: it is particularly suitable for the participants who took the Empower Yourself as a Lecturer: EMI Basics course, and wish to dig deeper. However, this is not a prerequisite, and you can join the course even if you did not take the course.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• work collaboratively with peers from a variety of linguistic, cultural and disciplinary backgrounds • understand what internationalisation means and its impact on teaching and learning
• recognise the implications of culture and the use of English on teaching, learning and assessment, and adopt strategies that foster student engagement in heterogeneous groups
• reflect on the North/South paradigm
• identify techniques and tools that facilitate inclusive communication in educational (online) settings
• assess the benefits of interdisciplinarity in sustainable higher education

Course Organisation and schedule: 

7th January 2025 – 31st January 2025

Online live and online self-study

• Session 1 (asynchronous): Tuesday 7th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 2 (synchronous): Friday 10th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 3 (synchronous): Tuesday 14th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 4 (synchronous): Friday 17th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 5 (synchronous): Tuesday 21st January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 6 (synchronous): Friday 24th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 7 (synchronous): Tuesday 28th January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time
• Session 8 (synchronous): Friday 31st January 2025 from 1 to 2.30 pm CET time

Prerequisites and co-requisites

You are expected to be actively involved in the online activities, as well as the forum discussions, and to complete mandatory tasks. Individual and personalised formative feedback will be provided by the course instructors who will facilitate the exchanges and guide you through the different modules. Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a joint UMONS UFCSPA certificate. The language of communication and instruction is English. The programme provides a relaxed and safe environment in which mistakes are allowed and where you can discuss ideas with your peers while practising your language skills. Although no minimum level is required, you need to feel relatively at ease with different types of accent and language uses. No teaching experience is required.

Technical and other considerations

• A microphone or a headset is a must and if possible, access to a camera and a stable internet connection is highly recommended.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Julie Walaszczyk (she/her) julie.walaszczyk@umons.ac.be

Course instructors

• Julie Walaszczyk (UMONS)
• Ana Luiza Pires de Freitas, UFCSPA; Fernanda Soldatelli, UFCSPA