Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Chilean English classrooms
QI Workshop Event for Language Teachers
30 April 2022 I The Queensland Institute
Representatives from the Municipalidad San Javier welcome teachers to the QI event.
Global Educator Network Event
On the 11th of April 2022, The Queensland Institute (QI) welcomed more than 20 English language teachers to our GenQI22 professional development event at Escuela José Manuel Balmaceda in the San Javier region of Chile.
The Queensland Institute was proud to partner with Escuela Jose Manuel Balmaceda to facilitate a special professional development workshop event titled, ‘Principles into Practice: Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Chilean English Classrooms’.
The workshop facilitators, Ms Vicki Bos from Australia and Ms Marcela Alegría Soto from Chile, worked with 20 English language teachers from across the San Javier school district to respond to the following key questions:
How can teachers cater to the diverse needs of our students in the English language classroom?
What are the key principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
What are some of the recommended strategies for implementing UDL principles?
What do these look like in everyday classroom practice?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching and learning model that focuses on supporting all students. The aim of implementing UDL strategies is to achieve effective inclusion by minimising physical, sensory, cognitive and cultural barriers that may exist in the classroom. Teachers guide students to understand and improve their own learning process.
As UDL is a relatively new approach in English language classrooms in Chile, access to training that demonstrates practical strategies is increasingly important. As a result, the QI team worked with local English teacher, Ms Marcela Alegría Sota, to develop a customised 2.5-hour workshop program to fit the Chilean classroom context.
The QI workshop looked at the principles of UDL in three key areas: Engagement, Representation and Expression. Through experiential learning, the participants explored and analysed a variety of practical classroom strategies and activities for teaching English to Chilean students, incorporating these UDL principles.
Teachers from the San Javier region enjoyed this unique opportunity to come together and explore this important area of teaching practice together in the session.
Watch the Video Highlights
Total time: 01:20mins
Testimonials
“The workshop was very interesting and it's helpful to learn activities for a more inclusive classroom experience. I want to show [the strategies] to other teachers from different subjects. I loved it!”
— Workshop participant, San Javier
“The workshop was so interesting and motivating. It was an excellent opportunity to learn new things or to reinforce the ones we already know. I really liked the focus on strategies and practical activities I can use in my real classroom.”
— Workshop participant, San Javier
“I really appreciated the chance to participante in the San Javier workshop. The facilitator was excellent. She really knew about the topic. She was very funny and explained everything very clearly. There was amazing energy, and it was a really engaging workshop. Please repeat the experience or extend it to more days in the future!”
- Workshop participant, San Javier
Acknowledgements
The QI team extend our gratitude to our event partners in Chile for their support, including:
Representatives from Municipalidad San Javier
QI Project Team
Special thanks to Vicki Bos, our QI Consultant Trainer, for facilitating this wonderful event LIVE in Chile in collaboration with QI Directors, Fiona Wiebusch & Philippa Coleman.
Contact us to learn more about customised workshops for English language educators.
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