TeachingEnglish: Inclusive classrooms

Welcome to TeachingEnglish: Inclusive classrooms

How will the course help you?

Make your classes inclusive learning spaces by identifying barriers that can affect learning and practical strategies to overcome them.

What does the course include?

Inclusive classrooms is a self-study training course, which is divided into three hour modules. It also includes:

• A dedicated Facebook community of course participants with up-to-date insight, resources and innovative ideas for you to try out.
• Engaging discussions taking place in the Facebook community
• Live events with your course tutor and language teaching experts.
• A free workbook with extra learning content and resources.

What will you learn?

Module 1 - Introduction to inclusion

In this module, you'll learn about the nature of inclusion and exclusion, consider how you can make your school more inclusive and also think about the barriers to inclusion which exist generally in your own school and English classroom.

By the end of the module you’ll be able to:

-define inclusion and identify learners who may be at risk of exclusion
-define the characteristics of an inclusive teacher
-describe the attitudes, behaviours and commitment necessary for successful inclusion
-identify different models for inclusion
-describe the changes in school culture necessary for successful inclusion
-describe the impact of teacher behaviour and teacher expectations
-identify the four main types of barriers to inclusion and how they impact learners' learning and development
-suggest ways of overcoming some of these barriers.

Module 2 - Creating an inclusive classroom environment

In this module, you'll learn about the features of inclusive English classrooms, explore strategies that support inclusive teaching and learning and develop the ability to create an environment for differentiated learning. You’ll also identity and evaluate strategies to reduce barriers to developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

By the end of the module, you’ll be able to:

-describe the features of an inclusive English language classroom and identify the ways in which learners may be different
-define the roles and responsibilities of teachers and learners in making classrooms inclusive
-describe the importance of differentiation in the inclusive classroom and apply different strategies for differentiating according to level of English proficiency
-use different types of questions to differentiate learners' tasks, design inclusive projects and apply learner grouping for inclusive learning
-identify general procedures that will help to enhance skills practice activities
-describe some of the barriers neurodivergent learners face when working on each of the four language skills
-use techniques and approaches appropriate to help the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

Module 3 - Making your school culture more inclusive

In this module, you'll learn about some of the wider issues around inclusion, both inside and outside your classroom. You’ll look at how to design inclusive assessment and how to develop materials based on principles of accessibility and inclusion. You’ll also see how to raise awareness of issues around inclusion in your classroom and with your peers.

By the end of the module, you'll be able to:

-design assessment to allow all learners to show what they know
-design materials to raise awareness of unconscious bias
-manage issues of exclusion and inclusive representation in the design of learning materials
-use role play techniques to develop learners’ empathy skills
-identify how the UN’s sustainable development goals support the development of inclusion in the language classroom
-identify the difference between equality and equity
-describe the benefits of living in an inclusive society
-plan and apply strategies for advocating for inclusion.

When is the course?

Enrolment for Inclusive classrooms is now closed. Sign up to the free newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open.

How much does the course cost?

The course is free.

How can you get a certificate?

You will receive a certificate if you successfully complete all self-study modules.

What level of English do you need?

Minimum CEFR B1.

What can you do next?

If you're interested in learning more about inclusive classrooms, you can:

• Get teaching ideas from our Courses for teachers Facebook community.
• Access learning content related to our courses on Facebook (Facebook account required).
• Access teaching resources on the TeachingEnglish website.