Using creative learner-focused approaches to welcome new arrivals

Using creative learner-focused approaches to welcome new arrivals: Clare Courtney, Heart & Parcel

Date: Saturday 10th December 2022

Time: 10am - 11.45am GMT (doors open 10am; talk starts 10.15am)

Venue: This is a free online event.

Learning English and joining a class is quite often the first task for newly arrived immigrants into the UK. Many people usually access ESOL classes for their jobs, visa, citizenship or more generally their lives in the UK. At the same time, ESOL learners come from a range of educational, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. For the wide range and reasons for learning English, I argue that a more reflective, creative approach to language learning is needed to introduce learners to their English language learning journeys.

In this reflective workshop, I outline my rationale for using creative practices when greeting learners and new arrivals. Participants will be invited to take part in activities themselves to experience them as learners. These practices will be informed by my experiences within my food and ESOL project, Heart & Parcel. We will then use breakout rooms and guided discussion to inspire and share creative activity ideas from the participants.

Bio: Clare is an English language practitioner with over 10 years experience in the UK and China delivering English sessions to a wide range of learners with different backgrounds and reasons for learning English. Interested in inclusive and creative approaches to English language teaching rooted in social justice, Clare founded Heart & Parcel to bring together communities through food and learning in an inclusive, engaging and creative way.

You can follow Clare on Twitter @cjcourts.

Find out more about Heart & Parcel @heartandparcel and https://heartandparcel.org/