It's a wrap

Today was the last day at school. In the morning we talked about some more online resources. I learnt about two AI based websites that I will definitely use. I already tried one on them to create a role play activity for three people with a very specific topic. It was particularly helpful in terms of time management. When you have to come up with a role play for a clearly defined group of learners and don't have many resources, such an AI based tool can be extremely time-saving.

The two websites that I found interesting were: 

https://twee.com/ 

https://eltcation.com/

After this first session, we had time to work on our lesson plans which was our final task to show what we've learnt. We were able to work in teams, groups or individually. I used the time to go over my already existing lesson plan for a class I'm teaching next Tuesday. I had the basic structure and could now include some cooperative tasks using digital tools. This task was practical because it saves me some preparation time at work next week. I included some opinion polls (mentimeter - word cloud)  and some interactive grammar exercises (wordwall). 

At the end, everyone presented their work and we were given the possibility to ask questions. It's a good method to receive and give vital feedback and also learn more about the work of the other participants. 

When we were done with the official part, we stayed for a small celebratory graduation. Some people had brought food from their country, which we ate in a relaxed atmosphere. I loved the French teacher from Greece and am very happy that we exchanged contacts. She's a super bright and lovely person. 

If I had to summarize and evaluate the class, it would be, in all honesty, with a grain of salt. I did get to know a couple of new tools, but essentially they're not very different from what I've already been using. Just variations. I felt like the group had a weird dynamic, people stuck with their colleagues, using their native language. There was not so much interaction. But then again there were not many parallels either. Some people work in primary schools, others in secondary schools, yet another group of people works in adult education. Maybe we wouldn't have mixed anyway. Hmm ... maybe. On the other hand, had the trainer tried to mix the groups a little bit, encouraged openness, given us tasks where we had to put ourselves in the shoes of the other person, maybe the outcome would have been a different one. 

I'm of the opinion that the trainer can do a lot. Influence a lot. Motivate. Encourage. To be able to do that you need experience though. Maybe our trainer lacked that a little. 

I guess it's also a fact that some groups just don't have a great dynamic. Some groups don't really develop a group feeling. So maybe I'm too hard on our trainer. 

All in all, what's my verdict? Even though Nice is a very holiday-ey place, I didn't come here just for a holiday. I came to learn. Maybe I'm too ambitious, too demanding. But I also know that elsewhere I did have very satisfying learning experiences, on top of being in a beautiful place. 

So many things about the training didn't feel right to me. The content wasn't varied enough. The trainer seemed to lack confidence and experience. He is a very nice and interesting person. I just wish he would've tried to address our needs more. The group was not at all a group. The common language was not English. I'm leaving with a feeling that it could've been better. 

But of course there were many positive aspects as well. I was able to visit Nice, Monaco, Èze. I was able to experience a language school outside of Germany. See how they work, how they're organized, what they do like us and what is completely different. It made me appreciate my workplace more, how well-equipped we are, how organized. Also, this whole program in general is just fantastic. I know I've complained a lot. But I'm still so happy I was given the opportunity to go. 

In the end, you always learn something. Maybe it's something different from what you had planned to learn, but when you really reflect and think about it, you ALWAYS learn something. I'm hugely grateful for this and am going back with a lot of motivation - which admittedly wasn't handed to me freely, but well.

Maybe you've had similar, or completely different experiences? - Please feel free to comment.

Over and out... I mean au revoir. 

PS: Also, French people are totally nice. No rudeness encountered whatsoever.