Talks & workshops for teachers

Are you or your English department looking for fresh ideas, inspiration or updates on current topics?

I regularly give talks and lead workshops for English teachers at language conferences, all around Germany and abroad, as well as for English departments in schools. Here are some of the talks and workshops I have given. My sessions are usually in English but if you'd like to invite colleagues from other departments, I can also give them in German - ganz wie Sie möchten!

Here are a few of the topics I have covered in recent talks and workshops:

• 21st century skills in the English language classroom
• Podcasting with students
• The UK today
• Democracy, the media and critical thinking

If your department is interested in one of these topics, or if you're looking for something different, do drop me a line. I'll be happy to tailor a session to meet your needs.

THE 4CS AND BEYOND

The 4Cs - critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication - have long been considered key learning and innovation skills. And indeed, the advent of the fourth Industrial Revolution has heightened the need for creativity, originality and initiative, as well as critical thinking and analysis, which now rank among the most desired skills in the workplace. But these are not the only qualities and skills that are considered essential. Curiosity, grit and agency are also central as they form the basis for lifelong learning.
In this talk/workshop I'll be sharing some important insights into these skills and qualities, discuss how they can be integrated into the English-speaking classroom, and how we can create authentic learning experiences to enable students to hone these crucial 21st century skills.

Navigating the digital age
Why critical thinking is a must

The need for critical thinking has never been greater: How do we know if the information and images we are confronted with are genuine or not? How can we refine our ability to search for and identify reliable sources online? What lessons can be learned from professional fact checkers? And what role does AI play in all of this?
In this session we'll be exploring these central questions, as well as how we can help students to sharpen their critical thinking skills in the English-speaking classroom.

Creativity & digital tools

Today's students are immersed in a world shaped by the internet, social media, and mobile technology. They are comfortable blending online and offline experiences, and often use digital tools to express themselves creatively.

In this talk we will be exploring how to incorporate digital tools into English lessons to foster creativity and promote independent learning. We will also be looking at how activities using video and audio can be incorporated to encourage deeper engagement.

Finding your voice!
Creating podcasts in the English classroom

This talk is designed to give you ideas, tools and tips for helping students (in Sek. I and II) to create their own podcasts. 

We will be covering the following five areas:

1. Creating content: How to craft compelling content and find something meaningful to say ...
2. Finding your voice: Techniques for helping students to become omfortable with their voices and build confidence ...
3. Interviewing guests: How to prepare for and conduct interviews ...
4. Producing the podcast: Practical advice on tools, editing tips, adding music, creating trailers ...
5. Sharing your podcast: Giving and reacting to feedback.

The talk will also include suggestions for teachers on providing feedback and evaluating the students' work.

THE UK TODAY

"What people really want is change, and change is what this government of service will deliver."

This is what PM Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on 17 July, following Labour's landslide victory that ended 14 years of Conservative rule. The new government has inherited a host of challenges, including reviving the economy, cutting NHS waiting lists, improving public services, tackling the housing crisis ...

In this talk, we'll be examining the key issues facing the UK, looking at the mood of the British public, reviewing the government's progress , as well as discussing what the next few years might have in store.

AUTHENTIC ENGLISH IN CONTEXT
Ways of helping students in the Sekundarstufe II become more proficient

This talk, including practical tips and materials, will focus on getting the pupils to: "notice" new words and chunks in authentic texts, audio and video; understand the importance of context; independently decide which words and chunks are worth learning; revisit and recycle the expressions so that they become part of their active vocabulary. We will also be looking at how different media can be used to actively support the learning process and increase motivation.

SPEAKING IS LIKE SPORT

Just like in sport, the more you practise speaking, the better you get! But it's not just about training, it's also about reacting quickly, taking risks, showing initiative – and, most importantly, enjoying what you're doing. 

Drawing on practical materials, including audio-visual materials, digital media and games, this talk will explore how to help students lose their inhibitions and enable them to develop their speaking skills .