British Council offers online teacher training courses

The British Council last year launched its first online English language teacher training course. This course prepares teachers for the University of Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT). The course has been run face to face in Colombo and Kandy for about 8 years. It has three modules: Module 1: Language and background to language learning and teaching; Module 2: Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching; and Module 3: Managing the teaching and learning process. An extremely popular course in Colombo, the only way to make it accessible to people outside of Colombo was to deliver it online. The main advantage of doing an online course is flexibility. It can be done anywhere at any time. You just need a computer and a good internet connection.

People argue that face to face is better, that you get more individual attention from the trainer, that you participate in group work and learn from your peers, and that you get individual assessments of your work. The same is true of an online teacher training course. You have constant access to your trainer via email and forums. You discuss topics with your peers and tutor on line in forums and wikis. You submit written assignments online and you get individual feedback from your trainer.

On the other hand online has advantages. If you are working full time, you can complete it in the evening or at weekends. You can take your time doing units. You can go back and read the materials again; something that you cannot do on a face to face course. You can explore links beyond the course. You can watch online demonstration classes on different topics. You can also develop your IT skills and increase your general online confidence.

At the end of May the British Council is introducing its first online CELTA course. CELTA courses have been run continuously in Sri Lanka since 2003. This is another University of Cambridge certificate. It is the accepted entrance into the world of English language teaching worldwide. The face to face course combines input sessions with teaching practice and is run part time (over 10 weeks on Sundays and Mondays) or full time (over one month Monday to Friday). With the exception of the teaching practice, the whole course is done online. Teaching practice takes place face to face over 12 days.

Another online teacher training course in the planning is TKT Content Language and Integrated Learning (CLIL) . This has been run face to face in Sri Lanka. It is aimed at subject teachers (eg maths, science, social sciences) in English medium secondary schools. It covers knowledge of CLIL, aims and principles; language, communication skills, cognitive skills and learning skills across the curriculum; lesson preparation; resources; lesson delivery and assessment.

Sri Lanka is famous for Ceylon Tea, tourism, gems and perhaps, of late, apparel. Stemming to add value to the latter but with wide benefits to other sectors too, is design – a skill in high demand by all top industries today. A top UK qualified professional in the field of design with over 25 years in the design industry in Europe and currently heading AOD in Colombo, Karen Macleod strongly believes that given the inherent skills of the people, Sri Lanka in the future will have a new value addition which will contribute to the national economy – the creative industries that will be unique in the region and she shares many lessons from the UK today recognized as the world’s creative hub and who have used design to add value to their industries, generate jobs and create wealth. However, for this development, she emphasises that due recognition from the industry as well as parents is critical.

Given this potential as well as global need for designers and creative people for different industries, AOD International Design Campus of which Karen is the Principal, has a range of professional university degrees for the benefit of those aspiring for a career in design. According to Karen, design is a respected and well paid career for those with passion, creativity and motivation. In the below review of excerpts from an interview with Karen she shares some key insights into why she relocated in Sri Lanka from the UK and the present and future of the design industry. Can you share your experience in design? I graduated from the Northumbria University in Fashion. I went directly to Paris to work as a designer and was fortunate to be able to design for international companies. I specialised in women’s wear but I also worked for companies that designed men’s, children’s and accessories as well. This allowed me to have a broad span of knowledge and development. The companies I worked with include, Max Mara, Daniel Hechter and Hemisphere. I also worked with design retailers such as Barney’s, Joseph, Biffi, Belinda and Theresa. Earlier in the ’ 80s we had licensees around the world, so we had the opportunity to design for countries such as Germany, Spain, Brazil, Japan and South Africa. Within the image and the handwriting of the company that I was working for, being able to develop products for other countries allowed me to understand fashion on a global scale. I could say that I learnt a lot within the 15 years while based in Europe. Eventually I went on to set up my own company where I designed for high quality manufacturers such as, Zara, H&M and Louis Vuitton. After establishing your own design company you decided to come to Sri Lanka?

Having a degree with Northumbria University and working closely with the industry gave me an idea of where I wanted to go. Starting on my own was a risk, but you have to believe in what you are doing. I arrived in Sri Lanka three years ago, and was that another risk? Maybe. Just as I believed that it was the right time to start my business, I believed three years ago it was the right time to come to Sri Lanka. Design is something that industries in this country need. I thought that via a degree program, I could bring this to Sri Lanka. I must say that there are fantastic opportunities here within the country in this arena. The fact that AOD offers university degree programs which are recognised worldwide is great. In Sri Lanka we have a 100% international faculty who are highly experienced in their respected field. I really believe in the university’s delivery in design and I am here to extend same. What is your opinion on the design industry in Sri Lanka? The design industry in Sri Lanka is at the moment moving at an extremely rapid phase. 10 years ago we were reliant on designers from abroad. Today we are producing designers having degrees equal to what is of fered by Northumbria University in UK. The graduating designers are employed obviously at a much junior level, but are paid higher than what was offered previously. However, more can be done by the industries to support them. Sri Lanka can look at how design can be used to differentiate itself from other countries. In the apparel industry for example, companies should bring in design innovation. Sri Lanka does this to some extent from a sustainable point of view. Unique here is the quality, level of production and the inputs from design.