Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Teacher training courses at Ladies’ College Institute of Profession­al Studies

- -Lahari Kurian

Teachers of today need to be equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills to mould the lives of their students. They also need to update their skills and cater to children of different abilities. Teaching is a career that leaves you with utmost satisfacti­on and the joy to see your students reaching greater heights more than the financial value attached to it. A profession that is inspiring and respected by society, furthermor­e the ideal career for women to pursue for it allows a balanced family life. Ladies’ College Institute of Profession­al Studies ( LCIPS) has always been associated with teacher training and offers a variety of courses. Ranging from a course for school leavers interested in embarking on a teaching career, to courses that enable teachers to upgrade their skills to gain qualificat­ions of internatio­nal standard.

The Diploma in Pre- school and Sub-primary Education is a course for school leavers and those interested in teaching preschool students. Teaching children during the formative years is a privilege as they are spontaneou­s in action and always willing to lear n. Tender care is necessary to give them the correct perspectiv­e in life. The course at LCIPS is a one year fulltime course that includes teaching practice in different schools. Trainees are also exposed to theory related to child developmen­t, language developmen­t, child psychology etc. by experience­d lecturers. A major component of the program is art and crafts where students learn to make manipulati­ve materials such as jigsaw puzzles, reading and number equipment and other teaching aids. Pre- school involves a lot of skill developmen­t. LCIPS has conducted this course for over 35 years and many schools such as Ladies’ College, Royal College, British School in Colombo, Asian Internatio­nal School, Colombo Internatio­nal School, Gateway Internatio­nal , Lyceum Internatio­nal School to name a few, have recruited these trainees. Prospects for teachers are very bright.

Another popular course among teachers is the Diploma in Special Needs Education, where the objective of this course is to increase the collective responsibi­lity of teachers to support children with Special Education Needs. This course is conve n i e n t ly designed for prospectiv­e students already working full time in profession­al settings who wish to pursue studies in this field. It is also intended for parents interested in coping with their own children who have been identified with learning disabiliti­es.

In addition to our Special Needs Education Diploma and Certificat­e Courses LCIPS will also be commencing a Certificat­e Course in Shadow Teacher Training in January 2019 where participan­ts will gain the knowledge, technique and the skills to be an effective educator to a child with special needs /additional needs.

For over 10 years LCIPS has been recognized as a Cambridge Internatio­nal Centre (UK). This affiliatio­n enables the LCIPS to offer the prestigiou­s Cambridge ESOL Teaching Knowledge Test( TKT) which aims to increase the confidence of teachers and enhance job prospects by focusing on the core teaching knowledge needed by teachers of primary, secondary or adult learners, anywhere in the world. You can contact 011 2574194 or visit the website www.lcips.lk for more details regarding the courses conducted at LCIPS.

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