Birmingham, 12 April 2016
Speakers and facilitators include:
Susan Barduhn, 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’.
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.