These days, even young children experience that they are global citizens. Understanding and speaking the English language is becoming a skill that is required at an ever earlier age.

 

Drama, music and arts

This exchange programme teaches you as a trainee teacher what you can do to improve the English knowledge of primary school pupils. You will get input on how to implement methodological language teaching theories and on how to incorporate drama, music and arts into your English language lessons at a primary school abroad. 

International exchange programme

In the first 8 weeks of this international programme, you will encounter students from different countries with a shared wish: teaching young children English using all possible methods. Together, you will exchange ideas about teaching English at primary schools. You will be relying on input you got at your home university, combined with new insights gained from lecturers and guest lecturers in English, Music, Drama and Art at Avans University of Applied Sciences.

In the second part of the programme you will conduct research and teach English at a primary school abroad for a period of 12 weeks. 

Teaching English Abroad is part of the Bachelor of Education in Primary Schools programme at the Avans School of Education in Breda.

This exchange programme is open to you if you meet the following requirements:

• You are in your second or higher year of teacher training college.
• Your English language skills are at CEFR-level B2 or higher.
• You have obtained permission from the exam committee of your department to participate.

If Avans is unsure whether you satisfy these requirements, you will need to take part in a skills interview via Skype before you can be accepted to the programme.

The programme lasts 20 weeks and offers you the chance to acquire knowledge and skills in a variety of ways.

Weeks 1-8: acquiring skills

During the first 8 weeks of the 20-week programme you will acquire teaching skills with regard to foreign language teaching. You will get lectures in an international class on English methodology, music, drama and art, in which you are expected to participate actively.
In addition, you will go to a teaching practice location to try out the lessons you designed together with your fellow students. For this, you will visit primary schools in Breda at which English is taught from the age of 4 onwards. By taking part in excursions you will also gain insight into how English, music and drama are taught in the Netherlands.

Weeks 9-20: conducting research and teaching English at a primary school abroad 

After this 8-week period you will think of a topic on which you would like to do a small-scale research project. You will carry out this research project at a primary school abroad for the final 12-week period.
You will also take over the majority of the English lessons taught at the schools you will be staying at till the end of the programme. A coach from Avans will support you during this process.

A minimum of 16 students is required. Students will be notified if there are enough applications.

Assessment

The assessment consists of 3 elements:

1. A written methodological test at the end of the first 8 weeks
2. An oral assessment on the basis of your final portfolio, which includes items such as your research report
3. A report on the international and intercultural growth you have demonstrated over the course of the programme.