Teacher Training for Primary Education

International semester

 

Urban Education in an Intercultural, International Perspective

Level:	Undergraduates / graduates
Length:	Maximum 6 months
Period:	The course runs from February until the end of April, but can be extended by up to 5 months (1 semester).
Language:	English
ECTS:	20 (3 months course) 30 for additional 2 months
For whom:	2nd or 3rd year students with a teaching background
Cost:	Fee for graduates (exclusive books etc): Euro 1500, - (every extra month 250 euro extra).               This Fee is payable by European and intercontinental students, not by the institutions that have a bilateral contract with the Teacher Training department at The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

Introduction

The ‘Urban education’ course started 15 years ago with the aim of training International student teachers to:

• learn from other educational systems in the world.

• Experience an opportunity to live and learn in a foreign country.
• Broaden their views on different cultures, religions and identities.
• Interact with students from other cultural backgrounds.
• Be able to teach children from different ethnic backgrounds and with different specific needs.
• Improve their English.

The course started in 1996 and has so far had 253 international students, namely from: Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, The Gambia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Indonesia, Japan,  Lithuania, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Spain/Guipuzkoa, Sweden, South-Africa, South-Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela.

Besides international students and graduates we also invite professional guest teachers who have specialized in (multicultural) teacher training. The urban education course has a various program of 3 months (from February to April). Different aspects of ‘Urban education’ are highlighted. Every week has its own theme:

• Introduction and Intercultural Awareness

• Intercultural Communication
• Education Systems
• Migrants in home countries and Dutch institutions
• School Improvement Education in Schools and Day care centres (visits to Primary schools/ secondary schools/ day care)
• Teaching in multicultural schools and day care centres
• Religions
• Ethnic minority children and Special needs
• Values; Anti-racism
• School  reality in Philadelphia (USA) 
• The Finale

We have guest teachers from Canada, USA and the UK. Maximum number of students: 25

If you have questions about the course or if you would like to have more information then please feel free to contact us. We have additional information in various forms:

• a brochure which gives more outlined details about the course

• a short real life film of the course (available from June 2009)

Content

Learning method

The International Semester consists of a practical assignment and theoretical schooling. During the theoretical part, workshops and lectures prepare students for the practical assignment. The students also have the chance to consult experts.

Guest teachers come from our European, American teacher College Network. The teacher training course of The Hague University of Applied Sciences has a high academic level and applies knowledge of Urban Education.

Modules

Examples of the subjects are:

• Urban Education

• Education Sociology
• Education in Migrant Families
• Intercultural Communication
• Drama as a Way of Non-Verbal Communication
• Development of cities
• Religions
• Second language acquisition
• Identity building
• Two separate weeks of school practice.

In addition to the theoretical education, students put theory into practice in a practical assignment carried out in groups of 4 to 6 students. The project has an innovative and international character and public relevance. Dutch international business has a prominent position. Possible subjects include: information dissemination during disasters, water management, data processing in developing countries or information security management. Each project includes carrying out a feasibility study and software development. A coach supervises each project group.

Assessment

Students are assessed in four phases:

1. First is the Cultural Dimensions assignment.

2. Second is the presentation about religions in an international group. (Instructions are published on Blackboard. You can start when you like).
3. Third the written essay (see above), which
   a) will be assessed before the public presentation by the writing group
      AND
   b) the public presentation and discussion will also be assessed.
      The value/weight of both parts is equal. 
      NOTE: this 2nd part consists of 2 subparts (presentation and discussion).
4. Besides the grading of each achievements separately, your “personal input in general” will also be graded; of the total three months period shown by the portfolio and assessed by yourself during the individual meetings in compliance with the teacher’s opinion. We will also mark your attendance.

Learning goals

(Under)graduates and teachers in primary education can analyse complex multicultural situations and are aware of their own prejudices, have knowledge of child-rearing and education in multicultural settings, are able to solve problems, and have learned to communicate effectively.

Prerequisites

• Some experience in working with minorities or migrants and their children

• 2 years in (teacher) education
• At least 4 semesters in an educational setting

Registration

To register please contact our International Office
International Office
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Email: exchange@hhs.nl
Tel: +31 (0)70 445 8505
Fax: +31 (0)70 445 8594

Postal address:
P.O. Box 13336
2501 EH The Hague
The Netherlands

More information

The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Department of Teacher Training
P.O. Box 13336
2501 EH The Hague
The Netherlands

Department of Teacher Training
T: +31 (0)70 445 8610                  
F: +31 (0)70 445 8635                 
E: n.daoud@hhs.nl