Unpacking Internationalisation: an introductory roadmap to teaching glocally

Description

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 to 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 some 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 Organisation

The course is signposted by seven guiding themes, each of them related to one specific feature of internationalisation:

• What is internationalisation? Definitions and interpretations
• The Sustainable Glocal Classroom
• Cultural identity
• Language and Discourse as Resources
• Learning and Teaching across Disciplines
• Active Methodologies
• Going Online in EMI: Tools and Techniques

The weekly workload amounts to roughly 4 hours, two of which will be synchronous meetings. Links to the different modules and the resources are sent to you every week prior to the meetings so that you have enough time to prepare for the following session.

Guest speakers will be invited to share their expertise and offer insight into the topics addressed throughout the course. More information will be given at the start of the programme.

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
• identify techniques and tools that facilitate inclusive communication in educational online settings
• assess the benefits of interdisciplinarity in sustainable higher education

 

Course Requirements

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. The course is open to PhD students and lecturers who would like to brush up their skills and who have an interest in how to internationalise their teaching.

Technical and other considerations

Dates: From week starting on 9th Janurary until 9th February 2024. 

When? Every Tuesday and Friday, from 1 – 2.30 pm CET time / 9 – 10.30 am UTC-3.

• 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)