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The Registration form for any of these courses can be downloaded here

For all general information and enquiries, use the menu above to access those pages

SUBJECT – SPECIFIC

By definition teachers often need to be able to perform. Whether it is to maintain discipline in a class, bring a setwork book “to life”, entertain younger children at foundation phase level or run the drama club at school. Children of all ages appreciate dramatic moments and experienced teachers understand what a powerful tool this can be in assisting learners to retain knowledge. Why not find out how to perfect your abilities by giving creative expression to your natural talents in a drama class led by an experienced actress and workshop facilitator, who has worked in Theatre, Film, Radio and Television.

You will be encouraged to analyse and devise text and character, and get a chance to perform in a safe environment, far from the critical eye of friend, family and foe. Building confidence and learning how to use your voice effectively will simply be a spin off of an enjoyable journey of discovering how others end up on the red carpet…..maybe you could too!

There is the belief that “school ‘failures’ are "linguistic failures"

This session raises many interesting questions as it examines issues from the obvious (though often overlooked), to the more obscure, and, hopefully, will increase the awareness of educators to the importance of language in the education process, whether at primary or senior level. Language is vital for successful learning in all subject areas and for life in general. You will look at the role of language in the school, in the classroom, in specific subject areas and in examinations, and how we can make learning more accessible to learners, suffer less stress and achieve better outcomes.

Educators should bring a text book and a fairly current exam paper along to the session.

Foundations for Learning recognizes that the meaning of a text is not in the phonics. It is in the reader’s mind. Good readers are metacognitive. They are aware of the internal dialogue between their minds and the author’s words. Reading is thinking. It is only when each reader makes personal meaning from a text that the joy of reading develops.

It is during the Guided and Shared Reading periods that educators can directly teach the thinking strategies that good readers use. In this interactive course you will discover what to teach to develop strategic readers.
The course will model how to design cohesive lessons for a balanced language programme using Co-operative Learning to ensure that all learners participate, are accountable for improved learning, stay on task, and develop social skills. The Thinking Powers and Co-operative Learning make it possible to succeed with FFL. Applying Multiple Intelligences makes it fun!  

Learn how to write short stories and use the tools to help the your folk in your classes to enjoy the creative writing process. A full course description can be found in the Adult Education section.

Help for anyone who needs to teach others to draw! Course details available in the Adult Education section.

Enrich your drawing skills and unlock your creativity. Course details available in the Adult Education section.

This course is specifically for Art teachers who don’t have time to pursue their own art and need a little inspiration! Course details are available in the Adult Education section.

Try something new with the girls in your class! Teach them how to create cosmetics using items from the garden and fridge. In this course, you will make a cleanser, a skin tonic, face masks, a face scrub, as well as an anti-wrinkle cream! Raid your kitchen and create you own exclusive creams and lotions! All course materials are available in kit form which needs to be purchased from Julie on the night at a cost of R70.

Whether you’re a playgroup, preschool or junior school teacher – music is always a good medium of instruction for young children. So why not learn to strum their favourite songs. This relaxed, fun-filled course is aimed at absolute beginners as well as those who have taught themselves the basics and would like to learn more. You will be shown how to tune your guitar and the finger positions for basic chords, as well as simple folk guitar picking & strumming techniques. Since the course is in the form of a practical workshop, you will need to bring your guitar along to every session.

Typing a Maths test or exam paper is difficult without the help of specialist Maths software packages. In these sessions you will actually spend time exploring the following Maths programs on the computer: MathType and Autograph. These are hands-on, practical workshops where you will learn the basics of each application so that you never need to struggle with layout, graphs etc. again!

The Internet is a mine of useful information, but unless you know where to dig, you won’t find the gold! Marijke will amaze you with useful links and sites which will save your hours of work and will rejuvenate your lessons. Please bring a flash drive along to export the links. This course is not just for educators using Interactive Whiteboards, but for anyone who has access to a computer and would like to download worksheets etc.

TEACHER EMPOWERMENT

We all really need this course! Course deatils in the Adult Education section.

Education is a constantly changing environment. The syllabus changes, classes change, the school environment changes, expectations change, people’s life circumstances change and all too often people are casualties in the process. Casualties because managers, friends and colleagues are unable to support them through the change. This two part experiential seminar would be useful for anyone faced with change in their work or personal life. It explores our responses to change and answers the questions:

• What is normal behaviour in the face of change?
• How do I know if I or someone that works for me or a family member is not coping with change in their lives?
• How can I support someone through change?

Too much to do and too little time to do it in? Learn how to regain control of your life by finding out about effective solutions for many of the hiccups that cause chaos in our lives, including coping with clutter, time management, being organized and procrastination. Tea and snacks are included, and there will be time to chat and share experiences with other people in similar situations.

“Emotional Intelligence” is the new buzzword and refers to your ability to operate at your optimum by developing emotional intelligence. We often neglect this area, but in reality, if you know how to Recognise your own emotions, Understand why you feel the way you do, learn to Regulate your emotions and Use what you feel to harness your potential (RURU principle), then you will no longer feel isolated, and will find it easier to connect with others because you will understand a lot more about your own & their “emotional baggage”. As an educator you will also understand why Tim, who has had to endure 2 burglaries in the past month, is unable to concentrate in class, and you will find that you are able to interact with others with more empathy.

We all have the ability to learn but we may approach the learning process differently. Are you a visual, auditory or kinetic learner? Which side of your brain is dominant? What impact does knowing this about yourself have on your teaching style and your ability to be relevant to all the learners in your class? Discover how to adapt your teaching to the learning styles in your classroom! This course is packed with practical activities that will help you to encourage learning. The course fee includes tea and snacks.

“Brain-based” education is the latest trend, but have you ever wondered how learning happens in the brain and what you can do to enhance the learning that takes place in your classroom? How do the male and female brains differ, and how do these differences influence learning? Did you know that there are practical games and activities that you can do in your classroom to strengthen the brain and encourage learning? Come along and find out how to create an environment in your classroom that the brain will love. The course fee includes tea and snacks.

Do you struggle to learn and retain the names of the students in your classes? Remembering someone’s name tells them that you care about them, which impacts not only on the learner’s attitude to you and your subject, but also on your management of that class. In this workshop, Marijke will teach you some techniques which you can use in thinking, mentally organising and remembering facts and ideas that will improve your capacity for retention and recall.

Attention Deficit Disorder is difficult to manage in the classroom; it is often linked to behaviour problems and poor work ethnic. Discover what the disorder is, how it presents itself and what to do as a teacher if you suspect children in your class suffer from it. The session will include a discussion on strategies for coping with ADD/ADHD in the classroom, as well as giving teachers an understanding of the difficulties learners with this disorder face – often an understanding which helps to add empathy to the frustration of the disruption they cause!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Do you feel that you need to create more balance in your life; discover your true passions; strengthen your relationships; make better decisions; get organized or even take a major step in your life? Course details can be found in the Adult Education section.

Teachers spend a lot of their time and energy giving of themselves, and nurturing others, so much so that there is often little time left to nurture themselves. Burn-out is a common phenomenon in the teaching profession, but you can learn how to prevent this happening to you by finding out how to focus on what is unique to you and therefore inspires you. The fee includes tea & snacks.

Education is all about people. Balancing the intellectual with the personal. Dealing with parents and colleagues. Understanding your limitations and that of those in your care.Learn how to hone your interpersonal skills in this inspiring workshop – it will be an investment in your future! Course details can be found in the Adult Ecucation section.