Equipping ourselves and each other

This summer school is designed for lecturers teaching or lecturers that will be teaching in multicultural and diverse classrooms. Participants should be University lecturers with at least one year of teaching experience.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

More information will follow.

After completing this summer school, participants will be able to (based on EQUiiP competence profile): 

1. Promote inclusive behaviours 

2. Develop and facilitate learner-centred programmes 

3. Promote intercultural engagement and effective intercultural relations 

4. Enable and embed a global learning experience 

5. Embed social responsibility in the curriculum 

6. Apply learning from different international and disciplinary contexts 

7. Embed the various means of creating, critiquing and exchanging knowledge 

8. Engage in critical reflection and continuous professional development

Workload

One week: 35 hours at site
Preparation (optional): 5 hours
Portfolio (optional): 5 hours

The EQUiiP programme (from the EQUiiP platform)

The summer school consists of the following four EQUiiP modules.

• Introduction to the International Classroom

• Internationalising Course Design

• Intercultural Group Dynamics

• The Role of Language

These four modules are supported by the module on Feedback & Reflective Processes, which is integrated into the other four modules and addressed in an optional portfolio assignment. Participants have the option to transfer their learning during the modules to a learning portfolio (in which they take notes) and after the end of the programme, they produce a presentation portfolio which is assessed for certification processes. This will provide the opportunity for participants to make their learning explicit and receive a digital proof of their Continuing Professional Development activities (digital badge certificate) which they will be able to add to their CV.  A badge comes with information about the higher education institution that has issued it, the learning outcomes, and assessment that has been applied so that learners can demonstrate their competences.

Participants are given preparatory assignments and will receive a link to a survey they are able to share with their students to include a student perspective on inclusion and diversity that will be discussed during the summer school. 

A generic outline of the EQUiiP programme can be found here. Recommended timings may be adjusted for local use.

Carole Fuller (MA Applied Linguistics) is a lecturer and professional learning facilitator at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. She obtained her masters degree with a specialisation in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and now focuses on teaching English for Academic Purposes. Carole has a strong interest in topics related to the inclusive international classroom and delivers professionalisation workshops around these themes, as well as leading the University of Groningen’s Community of Practice for Diversity & Inclusion. 

Vernita Beukes has been teaching for the past 17 years. She loves opening up a new language and culture for students who start learning Afrikaans. She believes in establishing a relationship of trust with her students from the start and creating an encouraging environment for them. She is also enthusiastic about using technology to aid learning.

Anika Berning-van Zyl is a lecturer and researcher in the field of Sustainability and Strategic Management, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She is in the process of finalizing and submitting her dual PhD degree at the Vrije University of Amsterdam and Stellenbosch University, with the aim of graduating December 2023. Anika has a passion for research, specifically management control systems and sustainability within corporate organizations in South Africa. She is currently guiding various post-graduate students with their research theses in this particular field, as well as developing new research projects in the context of South Africa, an emerging economy. Anika also has a management consulting company which she started in 2020. Her consultancy endeavors are mostly aimed at small business and non-profit organizations in South Africa as she aims to bring the academic world closer to these struggling organizations in practice. 

Catherine Meissner is a curriculum developer in international education at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, associated with the Teaching Academy Groningen. She has specialised in the internationalisation of curricula, with a focus on inclusion & diversity and on Continuing Professional Development of lecturers. Currently, she facilitates the embedding of international classrooms in study degree programmes, working with lecturers and educational developers from all disciplines. 

Building on the outcomes of the Erasmus+ EQUiiP project (2016-2019) and through her work in the UG EQUIPPING team Catherine practices a bottom up approach that actively involves practitioners to exchange good practices in inclusive teaching and learning.

Estelle Meima (University of Groningen) has been teaching in higher education for more than 20 years now, first as an English language teacher and language assessor and now as a facilitator supporting lecturers and education developers with embedding the international classroom in study degree programmes.  She has a special interest in diversity and inclusion in higher education. 

To apply, please fill out the online application form. Please note that you will be asked to upload the following documents:

• CV (brief overview of professional background)
• Letter of motivation (max 1 page)

The early bird deadline is 15 April 2024 (lower fee applies).

The application deadline is 1 June 2024 (regular fee applies).