The Hellenic Open University’s International Postgraduate Program (English taught) entitled as “Language Education for refugees and migrants” is designed for teachers and graduates who wish to complete or deepen their knowledge and skills of teaching the language lesson in various languages, as well as develop new resources they can later apply to specific contexts and levels. The modules will provide postgraduate students with a strong grounding in theoretical literature as well as appropriate classroom methodology, course design and an introduction to the key research tools.
The course aims to provide specialized pedagogical knowledge to teachers on both levels of compulsory education (Primary and Secondary) and to Tertiary graduates who plan to teach, as well as to teachers engaged in adult education in refugee or migrant contexts. It trains Greek and international students to pose and answer key questions in applied linguistics and second language acquisition in the world’s numerous, diverse multilingual contexts.
The course is designed to offer students the opportunity to reflect and further develop their understanding of both theoretical and practical considerations in the field of language learning and teaching drawing from the principles of critical pedagogy and translanguaging. It will encourage you to develop a broad theoretical base reflecting current cutting edge research within applied linguistics and related disciplines. Additionally, this course makes links between the different disciplines which contribute to our knowledge of language learning and issues related to language pedagogy focusing on action and activism as necessary preconditions for social change and justice. The programme is designed to be practical, provides opportunities to create bespoke teaching and learning materials, encourages deep engagement with the world of practice through visits to schools, refugee camps or other institutions related to formal and informal learning of refugees and migrants in different sites of Greece and other countries, team-teaching activities and project work.
The general objectives of the master’s degree are to train specialized researchers in the main phenomena of language acquisition and applied linguistics in general, who can transfer research results to teaching practice and carry out basic applied research projects. The training will enable students to deepen their knowledge of applied linguistics, particularly with regard to second language acquisition, critical literacy and advances in new technologies for language research and learning. Students will develop greater knowledge and skills in relation to the new linguistic scenarios in schools and general society, and will carry out reflexive teaching practice.
The course’s modules focus on the integration of language, culture, and codes of power as part of the development of formal, informal and non-formal, on-line and off-line educational programs and examine curriculum from a constructivist perspective that recognizes the voices of students, community and teachers as one learning community who inform curriculum and program design. The programme introduces participants to the concepts and basic principles of critical pedagogy; a theory of education that a) gives professionals the opportunity to reflect on their own educational beliefs, practices, and processes and b) gives teachers the voice and tools to reflect upon their teaching methodology vis-a-vis their student’s critical thinking, promotes equality and social justice through action research within the school and community.
You can apply online here until August 31, 2023.