TESOL Greece Symposium in Heraklion / Teaching Children: Engaging Techniques& Inclusive Practices

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In E' Class (en), english-post

Crete extended a warm welcome to all TESOLers on 10/11/19, while the TESOL Greece Board went to great lengths to organise an enlightening event for the participants, with an array of practical classroom ideas and innovations.

All photos can be found here.

We were all eager witnesses to Christina Chorianopoulou’s exceptional leadership skills.

Agnes Mariakaki: Using Art to Motivate and Encourage Learning Confidence

Agnes did an amazing job in emphasising the need to wire emotional responses to all kinds of learning through the children’s muscle system, their physicality being the catalyst for emotional stability and long-term learning. 

What is more, the children are connected nowadays, but not bonded, Agnes maintained, which rang so true. Families should be communities ready to foster emotional development through actual daily (physical) interaction. 

The rapid alternation of images and award processes of video games
is not the solution to people’s lack of emotional control and balance. 

Omnipresent Maria Halkiadaki was the very soul of the event.

Michael Robbs& Nick and Jane Mantarakis: Escaping The Classroom

A resourceful and truly imaginative presentation of a series of activities which resemble an escape room process. Lilika’s theatrical presence helped set the mood right from the start! One tiny problem though: Michael suddenly disappeared and we all had to use some clues to discover his whereabouts and, most importantly, understand the mentality behind planning this activity. 

Mr Mantarakis explains how he and his high school students dealt with the escape room experience, which was meticulously planned throughout the year by the team of teachers involved in the ‘Escaping the Classroom’ presentation.

The magic formulas with which activities can be made to achieve pleasantly differentiated instruction and escape the coursebook, according to Michael Robbs.
The clues in an escape (class)room can be given in a variety of ways, such as placing a set of pictures in the right order so that a word is formed.

Collaborating with colleagues, even those who teach other subjects than English, can bring excellent results. Thank you Mr and Mrs Mantarakis and Mr Robbs for such an engaging talk! 
Anastasia Metallinou: Inclusive learning through project-based learning and new technologies

A very enlightening talk focusing on the significance of project-based learning, whose educational benefits are definitely worth the time spent planning it.

What does learning need to be like in today’s classrooms? Are the 21st century skills incorporated in our lessons? 

Why not reverse the roles in the classroom, as Michael Robbs suggested, and thus allow for more successful learning to take place? 

The difference between mere projects and the learning which stems from the process of producing them.

More differences

The definition

It could be said that this is the cycle of productive learning.

The storyboard for the impressive project created by Anastasia’s students.

Another sample of potential student- centered creativity, proudly demonstrated by Anastasia’s students. www.canva.com could be the springboard for more such project-based learning.

Another creative medium: www.vyond.com 
Also worth a visit to see 6 PBL units in action: www.gettingsmart.com 
Lunch break in fully positive vibes. From left to right: Vice Chair Maria Halkiadaki, Chair Christina Chorianopoulou, Speaker Agnes Mariakaki and Member at Large, Lilika Kouri. 
A tremendous amount of aid offered to school owners
around Greece by the Europalso association.
With Efi Theohari on the left and Maroula Atmatzidou on the right. 

All TESOL Greece Board members were absolutely vigilant and helpful.
Stella Senetaki on the left and Maria Peristeri on the right.

So glad to reunite with esteemed colleagues from Rethymnon.

Pre-convention outing with Cretan raki and delicious food.

Left with the promise for more raki shots in the future.
Heraklion waves goodbye to all TESOLers! Till we meet again…

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