Trainings

The first Community & English training event brought together English teachers, project experts and partner representatives in Radom, Poland. The programme introduced the teachers to the project’s Community-connected learning approach and prepared them for the later implementation of innovative English-language activities in their secondary schools.

A key part of the training focused on the theoretical foundations of Community-connected learning. With support from the Foreign Language Educators Association (FLEA), participants explored how real community challenges — including environmental, social and multicultural topics — can be introduced into English-language education through engaging and learner-centred pedagogical approaches.

Teachers also received practical training in the use of Virtual Reality hardware, including VR headsets, together with free online VR-based educational software and Open Educational Resources. Experts from NGO LAG supported participants in understanding how these digital tools can be integrated into English lessons to create more interactive and attractive learning experiences.

Mixed transnational teams of English teachers then worked together on lesson planning. The participants began preparing lesson plans for 40-minute English-language classes that combine Community-connected topics with appropriate pedagogical approaches, digital resources and collaborative learning.

The event concluded with presentation and discussion of the work developed by the participating teachers. By combining pedagogical preparation, practical digital training and transnational teamwork, the first training event strengthened teachers’ readiness for the next stage of the project and for the later implementation of Community-connected learning in their own schools.

The second Community & English training event took place in Tarsus/Mersin, Türkiye, building on the knowledge and lesson-planning work developed during the first international training. English teachers and project experts continued working together with a stronger focus on practical implementation of the project’s digital and pedagogical approaches.

Teachers received practical training in the use of the newly developed VR-based educational software created within Community & English. Supported by NGO LAG experts, participants explored how the new VR tool can be used in English-language teaching and how Virtual Reality can support more interactive learning and greater student engagement.

The programme also focused on pedagogical approaches for introducing community-related topics into English-language classes. FLEA experts worked with participants on methods for connecting language learning with environmental, social, cultural and other challenges relevant to students’ communities.

Another important part of the event was training in the use of the eTwinning platform for transnational cooperation. Teachers strengthened their ability to communicate, exchange experience and present project activities with colleagues from other European countries while developing a network that can continue supporting cooperation throughout and beyond the project.

Mixed teams of teachers then finalised the lesson plans started during the first training event, integrating Community-connected learning with ICT-based educational approaches, VR and Open Educational Resources. The completed work strengthened teachers’ practical readiness for the long-term teaching/learning assignments that would follow in the four partner schools.