Birmingham, 12 April 2016
Global Issues SIG – Creativity Group joint Pre-Conference Event
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Speakers and facilitators include:
Susan Barduhn, Nick Bilbrough, Peter Medgyes, Chaz Pugliese, Malu Sciamarelli, Margit Szesztay, and Adrian Underhill
The PCE will explore the way creativity can act as a catalyst for fundamental change in education. In particular, we will be focusing on the way creativity in English Language Teaching can help to bring about change in society through English Language Teaching. This involves moving away from a limited view of ‘creativity as fun and games’ to ‘creativity as empowerment, spontaneity, and social action’. Our aim is to come up with a richer definition of creativity and imagination by the end of the day.
A central issue we will be addressing is how we as teachers are agents of change, and how we can instill a sense of responsibility and build a shared vision of a more just, humane and sustainable future. As educational critic John Holt writes, true leaders do not make people into followers, but into leaders. This one-day event will give us the opportunity to reflect on what such leadership looks like in the ELT classroom.
The day will be a mix of TED type talks and Open Space participant-driven activities. With the short talks our aim is to spark ideas, focus attention on different aspects of creativity and change. Open Space will then make it possible for all of us to participate in in-depth, spontaneous discussions and arrive at some new insights.
Presentation highlights:
For me creativity in teaching is about being fully present in the classroom. Really listening, which takes skills and awareness. As Earl Stevick once wrote, “success depends less on materials, techniques, and linguistic analysis, and more on what goes on inside and between the people in the classroom.”
Susan Barduhn
Most language learners around the world are driven by exams which heavily prioritize rote learning and memorization. Is creativity the antithesis of learning by heart or is there actually a powerful link between these two processes?
Nick Bilbrough
I shall put forward the idea of the Youth Networking Scheme whose aim is to prevent or overcome prejudices through channels of ICT. YNS plans to encourage school-aged learners of English to contact peers from faraway countries and collaboratively seek answers to problems of mutual interest.
Peter Medgyes
While extremely valued in the business world and in the arts, creativity doesn’t get much recognition in education. Why is that? How can we redress the balance?
Chaz Pugliese
I will show that Reading Aloud improves listening skills and vocabulary acquisition, provides an opportunity to focus on real-world issues such as slavery, poverty, famine, prejudice, and also has potential for enhancing critical thinking.
Malu Sciamarelli
Creative group talk is the focus of my presentation. Exploring different perspectives, listening to different view-points and arriving at new insights together.
Margit Szesztay
I will introduce two single-rule language learning games. Both involve self-levelling creativity at the edge of one's knowledge. One is not used in our received methodology, the other is sometimes used. I will invite you to play them, to observe what you do in order to do so, and to see what this can tell us about daring creativity and changing education.
Adrian Underhill
Susan Barduhn
Most language learners around the world are driven by exams which heavily prioritize rote learning and memorization. Is creativity the antithesis of learning by heart or is there actually a powerful link between these two processes?
Nick Bilbrough
I shall put forward the idea of the Youth Networking Scheme whose aim is to prevent or overcome prejudices through channels of ICT. YNS plans to encourage school-aged learners of English to contact peers from faraway countries and collaboratively seek answers to problems of mutual interest.
Peter Medgyes
While extremely valued in the business world and in the arts, creativity doesn’t get much recognition in education. Why is that? How can we redress the balance?
Chaz Pugliese
I will show that Reading Aloud improves listening skills and vocabulary acquisition, provides an opportunity to focus on real-world issues such as slavery, poverty, famine, prejudice, and also has potential for enhancing critical thinking.
Malu Sciamarelli
Creative group talk is the focus of my presentation. Exploring different perspectives, listening to different view-points and arriving at new insights together.
Margit Szesztay
I will introduce two single-rule language learning games. Both involve self-levelling creativity at the edge of one's knowledge. One is not used in our received methodology, the other is sometimes used. I will invite you to play them, to observe what you do in order to do so, and to see what this can tell us about daring creativity and changing education.
Adrian Underhill
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