Connecting Chilean English Teachers through Professional Development
Focusing on Inclusive Education in the English Language Classroom
4 October 2024 I The Queensland Institute
Vicki Bos (top left) facilitates our PIAP-QI webinar.
This October, The Queensland Institute proudly joined forces with our Chilean colleagues from the Profesional Programa Inglés Abre Puertas (PIAP) and the Ministry of Education to co-design and deliver an engaging, interactive webinar.
More than 150 primary and secondary school teachers from across Chile—from Atacama in the North to Coyhaique in the South—registered to explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and discover new ways to promote inclusive education in their English classrooms.
Practical Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms
The session, hosted by Co-Founders Philippa Coleman and Fiona Wiebusch, with QI trainer Vicki Bos guiding the workshop activities, explored practical strategies to engage all learners, no matter their diverse needs, background, or experiences. Through applying UDL principles, teachers discovered how to break down physical, sensory, cognitive, and cultural barriers, empowering students to take charge of their own learning.
CAST (2024). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines v3.0.
Positive Feedback and Hands-On Learning
Participants were full of praise for the interactive format and digital tools used. One teacher remarked,
"The Miro board was an excellent resource, making [the workshop] highly engaging despite being virtual."
Another shared,
"I loved that we spent a lot of time going through different doable activities. It was a perfect fit for our classes."
These hands-on, adaptable strategies resonated strongly with teachers, making the learning both practical and immediately applicable.
Reconnecting with Alumni
We were also delighted to reconnect with our alumna Marcela Alegria Soto, based in San Javier. Her valuable insights added even more depth to the session, and it’s always a joy to maintain these professional relationships.
Collaboration with Ministerio de Educación Chile
Looking Ahead
At The Queensland Institute, we are committed to providing educators with dynamic, sustainable, and engaging learning experiences to meet their needs. Whether you join us virtually or in person, our programs connect teachers from across the globe and empower them to thrive in their teaching practice.
We look forward to continuing this important work with our partners in Chile and beyond.
Connect with us
For more information on our programs or upcoming events, feel free to reach out to Philippa and Fiona via email. We’d love to hear from you!
