Combine academic subjects and language learning with outdoor play and mindfulness activities to optimise learning.

With play, creativity and well-being at its core, this dynamic course will give you close-up and personal insight into the Icelandic school system and first-hand experience of Smartenglish and Play To Learn More methodology outside!

The SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE (STPM) approach is inspired by sports, storytelling and mindfulness activities. It encourages multi-modal learning incorporating visual, auditory, reading and writing and kinesthetic learning styles among others. It is a holistic teaching method which is aimed for learners aged between 2 and 12 years old however can be adapted for lower secondary students.

Recent research shows that children move a lot less than they should and at the same time the pressure on teachers to show top academic results with a class of students with different needs is increasing. Using the STPM approach outside has proven to increase both students’ and teachers’ well-being and performance in the classroom. As a holistic approach, it enables students to work on cognitive, physical and social competences simultaneously.

The wide range of physical and sensory activities you will experience on the course will give you valuable tools to meet your students’ different needs when teaching academic concepts and language in the classroom.

THE OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Movement games, station activities and obstacle courses
• Storytelling games and techniques
• Sensory play
• Quiet and mindful activities

All the activities provide rich opportunities for language and subject specific learning ‘in action’ without a worksheet or textbook in sight. We also promote the use of eco-friendly homemade resources as alternatives to plastic versions often found in schools.

COURSE AIMS:

• To introduce the ideology behind Smart Teachers Play More and observe first-hand how the project is working in local schools.
• To give participants a close-up and personal insight into the Icelandic school system.
• To encourage physical and outside activities as part of core learning.
• To give teachers first-hand experience and the tools they need to promote well-being and teach academic subjects and through outdoor play, movement and the senses.
• To present a huge bank of games and gamification techniques to take away.
• To give teachers the opportunity to share successful activities they use in their own school/country so we can learn from each other.
• To explore how parents and the local community can be involved in their children’s education.
• To help teachers plan the vision for their ‘Play to Learn More’ outside classroom with time to reflect on their individual schools and plan realistic steps for implementation and success.
• To have fun, share experiences and learn from like-minded teachers from different countries.
• To continue growing our network of teachers and schools from all over Europe and beyond!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE EDUCATION SECTOR:

This course offers learning opportunities for professionals across the education sector including: Preschool teachers; Primary teachers; Special Needs teachers; Foreign Language teachers; and Subject teachers involved in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) projects at multilingual schools. It is also a great opportunity to practise and improve your own English skills in practical contexts.

VISIT ICELANDIC SCHOOLS:

As part of the course and with your Icelandic hosts, you will have the opportunity to visit Icelandic schools at each educational stage. You will witness, first-hand, how Iceland, with only 330,000 inhabitants, produces so many well-known athletes and artists. You will see how outdoors, sport and practical subjects, such as home economics, woodwork and art, are given the same priority as academic subjects at all stages of education.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE AND NETWORKING:

We also provide the opportunity to share good practice during the course so we can learn from each other and find partners for future projects: KA1 projects, job shadowing opportunities and/or KA229 projects.

TEACHER WELL-BEING:

One of our priorities while you spend your valuable time with us in Iceland is your well-being. Every teacher is important to us and we want you to feel valued and comfortable throughout your stay. As well as the extra activities we provide as part of the course fee (see below), we work hard to ensure you have a really good time. We ensure lots of team-building and “get to know you” activities from day one and our courses are dynamic and fun-packed. We are genuine Icelandic hosts so you will get the real Icelandic experience and we are renowned to look after our teachers really well.

AS PART OF THE COURSE WE ALSO PROVIDE:

• Morning refreshments
• Cultural evening
• Visit to the local swimming pool and hot tubs
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING:

Join us on our own tailor-made local tour of amazing Iceland with our SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE TOUR PACKAGE for both participants and their families! A great way to enjoy the wonders of Iceland, network and get to know your new European friends.

ACCOMMODATION:

Don’t miss out on our EXCLUSIVE PARTICIPANT DISCOUNT VOUCHERS for a brand new trendy hotel we work with close to our course centre!

COURSE DATES: