Overseas Teachers For PE Teachers

Course details

The aims of this course are:

• To develop the English language skills of participants in order to improve their ability to communicate on sporting and social integration issues
• To explore current thinking on the physical and mental aspects of preparation for competitive sporting activities including strategies for helping to reduce pre-competition stress for young participants
• To consider and share experiences on ways in which PE departments can help in supporting confidence-building and social interaction across different school departments

Methodology

The language development sessions will use communicative language teaching to achieve maximum involvement from course participants. Using pairwork, groupwork, simulation, role play, presentations and a range of dynamic language activities, the focus will be on involvement and interaction to quickly develop the essential language required for discussion on sports-related areas.

The input sessions on aspects of a PE teacher’s work are interactive and will draw on the practical experience of trainers and participants.

Day one

• On arrival participants meet their tutors and are given an induction covering information about the school and Dublin. They also receive out-of-hours emergency contact telephone numbers for key Alpha personnel.
• General Language development session
• Specific language related to developing and working with teams, dealing with stress and disappointment
• An afternoon orientation tour of Dublin provides participants with an opportunity to practise their English in a more informal setting outside the classroom, familiarise themselves with the geography and history of the city.

Day two

• General Language development session
• Specific language relating to training and coaching in a PE context;
• Mini workshop: developing and working with teams, dealing with stress and disappointment
• Afternoon: Coaching the Coach: Mental Fitness: preparing for competition; visualization; dealing with losing and winning – mini workshop exploring best practice in this area;

Day three

• Language development session
• Helping young players realise the need to modify their individual styles for the good of the team.
• Helping young people in the PE department look at their strengths in sport and consider how these positives might link to other aspects of their lives
• Afternoon excursion to GAA Stadium – museum focusing on Ireland’s unique sports (Gaelic football and hurling) and their contribution to the social fabric of urban and rural communities in Ireland; the museum also includes an area for experiencing practice activities for these 2 sports.

Day four

• Language development session
• Physical literacy: motivation, confidence, physical competence and knowledge that help to promote positive outcomes in sports
• Afternoon workshop: Consider how the sports department can foster and support social integration in other school departments

Day five

• Language development session
• Coaching workshop, the contribution of the PE teacher to the overall school environment and the fostering of high levels of social interaction; final review of course
• Visit to Guinness Storehouse