Teaching is an individual journey so delve into yourself - Expectations of trainer and trainee commitments: collaborative learning
The fundamental objective of the Via Lingua program is to ensure that trainees take responsibility for their own learning. The trainers and mentors are available at all times to provide a supportive environment and a range of learning opportunities in order to facilitate growth and development. All activities and support strategies are designed to encourage the trainee to reflect on his / her needs and performance in relation to the benchmarks identified in the FPPS.
The course provides the following learning opportunities for trainees:
Learning Opportunities | Trainer / Mentor input | Trainee input |
Negotiation of individualized program | - Counsels, guides and advises | - Reflects on personal experience and needs and decides on program. |
Workshops, seminars and tutorials | - Counsels, guides and advises - Provides information. - Instigates activities and opportunities for reflection. - Challenges perceptions. - Provides feedback. - Models behavior. - Identifies sources of further information. - Assigns tasks and assignments. |
- Reflects on personal experience and needs and decides on program. |
Private study opportunities | - Counsels, guides, supports and advises. |
- Plans and manages work schedule, in line with individual needs and responsibilities. |
Observation of experienced teachers |
- Provides opportunities for observations to take place. |
- Engages in focused observation. |
Guided lesson preparation time |
- Counsels, guides, supports and advises. |
- Prepares lessons, in the light of insights gained from the workshop sessions and the input of the trainer / mentor. |
Observed and graded teaching practice |
- Observes and evaluates, according to an agreed schedule. |
- Teaches the class. |
Post teaching practice discussion |
- Facilitates a discussion and encourages the trainee to reflect on the extent to which objectives were met. |
- Engages in discussion. - Reflects on what went well and why, and what went less well and why. |
Weekly meetings with mentor | - Facilitates a discussion on the progress being made by the trainee (based on the portfolio) - Counsels, guides, supports and advises. - Guides the trainee in relation to the "next steps". - Warns the trainee in situations where there are serious concerns about performance, attendance, behavior etc. |
- Engages in discussion on personal progress (based on the portfolio) |
The group task |
- Provides guidance and support. |
- Works collaboratively with peers. |
The maintenance of a professional portfolio |
- Provides guidance, advice and support. |
- Maintains the portfolio on a regular basis, ensuring that it provides evidence of progress and achievement. |
Written and practical assignment activities | - Provides activities and offers guidance, advice and support. - Provides feed-back to the trainees. |
- Completes assignments on time. - Engages in reflective discussion with the mentor. |