ILI - Professional Training

Professional Training Programs

NEW! Effective TESOL Practices

This program delineates the key elements of excellent language teaching in a hands-on format and includes ready-to-use, learner-centered activities;addresses learning styles and teaching modalities;and provides suggestions for multi-level classrooms. It covers the cornerstones of language teaching: Eliciting, materials, error correction, feedback and evaluation, as well as grammar (how, when and why we teach it), pronunciation, intonation, speaking styles, and understanding and recycling vocabulary.

CROSS-CULTURAL AWARENESS

This general, introductory workshop looks at how we as individuals view our world and how we identify with a specific culture. Participants look at how we perceive other cultures through exercises and activities that examine observation versus judgment and how we deal with cultural differences. A cross-cultural simulation game demonstrates how we react to different modes of behavior.

INTERACTIVE GRAMMAR

Grammar can be boring or stimulating. This workshop examines inductive and deductive learning, a workable framework for a grammar lesson and non-text teaching aids. Participants engage in activities that give them the opportunity to experience a grammar lesson in another language and come away with practical ideas for their next class.

RENEW YOURSELF AND YOUR PROGRAM: PROGRAM AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT IDEAS

This session helps an organization (or a department of an organization) consider its strengths and weaknesses. After listing possible goals and discussing feasibility, urgency and resources, staff votes on the top three goals. Action plans are drafted. Staff then looks at individual needs and decides on professional development goals. Means to accomplishing these goals are discussed.

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES THEORY

What are they and how do they affect the way we interact with our colleagues and clients? This workshop introduces participants to MI Theory and shows how knowledge of the various intelligences can improve our effectiveness in the workplace. This workshop is also designed for teachers and looks at how MI Theory is related to learning styles. Participants talk about how materials development can reflect MI Theory.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Based on research from leaders in the field (i.e. Drucker and Covey), this two-hour workshop focuses participants on their individual styles and helps them determine where they can be more efficient, both in their personal and professional lives. It provides practical ideas on changing the way one organizes his/her time and promoting feelings of accomplishment – both at work and at home.

STANDARDS FOR QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS

This workshop looks at criteria that meet standards for a quality organization. Based on the ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training) standards, participants explore criteria that ensure quality training in the areas of mission, management, financial practices, curriculum, methodology, supervision and training, admissions, evaluation and records.

HIRING TEACHERS

A key element for the success of any language program is the quality of the teachers hired. In this session, ILI administrators share techniques and processes for selection of faculty members. Topics include: criteria for faculty selection, evaluation of applications, conducting the interview(s), and involving faculty and other constituencies in the selection process.

TEACHER SUPERVISION

This interactive session looks at the following issues in teacher supervision: Who supervises? How do we evaluate? What is involved? Participants will observe a portion of a class via video and share ideas about observation and processing techniques. They will look at questions for annual review and critique annual review forms.

RETHINKING SUPERVISION

This 40-hour on-line hybrid course is co-developed and co-facilitated by Caroline Gear, ILI’s Director of Programs. The format of the course includes on-line discussions and assignments and face-to-face meetings with participants. Upon completion of the course, participants hold a greater understanding of different supervisory models, supervisory tools and techniques and the relationship between supervision and evaluation. This course has been offered twice in the state of Massachusetts and most recently, for the states of New Hampshire and Maine through a grant from the New England Resource Center.

TEACHER TRAINING

ILI provides teacher training to language teachers at every level of their profession, as well as to non-language teachers who have been thrust into that role. We conduct nine-hour ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutor trainings. This enables non-professionals to work with a student who is studying in a class or who is on a waiting list. We provide guidelines for novice teachers and for those who teach EFE (English for Employment) or ESP (English for Special Purposes). We conduct workshops ranging from one to eight hours, short courses of fifteen hours and intensive courses that last from three to five days.

These workshops/sessions/courses are limited to twelve participants. Some of the titles are listed below. ILI will combine and custom-design workshops according to the needs of the organization.

ESOL Methodology: From Theory to Practice
The Learner-Centered Classroom
The Components of Language: 4 skill areas, plus grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and culture.
Multi-level classrooms
The Cornerstones of Language Teaching: Eliciting, Materials, Error Correction, Feedback and Evaluation
Learning Styles/Teaching Modalities
Curriculum Development
Grrrrammar! How, when, why do we teach it?
“You just don’t understand!” Pronunciation, Intonation and Speaking Styles
Clink, Clank, Clunk! What do those words mean? Understanding and Recycling Vocabulary
Materials Development
Pictures in the classroom
Songs in the classroom
Realia in the classroom

ILI also offers an intensive, 4-week ESOL Teacher Certificate Course four times a year. The curriculum was developed by the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont and is constantly revised by SIT and ILI. The intensive training includes interactive workshops, supervised teaching, reflective papers and ongoing evaluation. A certificate is awarded by SIT.

TRAINING OF TRAINERS

Introductory Course – A nine-hour course offered to teachers who have not trained before. This interactive course includes exploration of the components of training: theory, practice, and resources. Participants will design and critique possible training courses.
Training of Trainers – A nine-hour, three-week course for teachers who have trained before or who are currently training. Trainers will examine what they have been doing and discuss the balance of theory, practice and resources. Trainers will share and reflect and design the “perfect” training program.

HOW TO BE A GOOD TRANSLATOR

This workshop is for those who translate for parents and school personnel. What is necessary for a successful meeting between the two parties? Activities include role-plays of good and bad translations, discussion of translation versus interpretation, brainstorming and sharing.

PLENARIES

Alexis Johnson, Executive Director of ILI, is available for plenaries and has presented the following plenaries:

Language Matters: A humorous look at the importance of word choice and how it marks differences between sexes and tells us something about ourselves.
Multiple Intelligences Theory: What are they and why is everyone talking about them?
Regional Differences in the U.S.: A humorous look at linguistic and cultural differences around the U.S.
How Important is Language and Cross-Cultural Awareness in International Business?

Contact Alexis Johnson at (413) 586-75569 x 104 or e-mail: alexis@ili.edu

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