Teacher Development

At International House Córdoba, we firmly believe that Teacher Development is the key to a rewarding and interesting professional life at our school.

Our In-Service Development Programme consists of:

- A Seminar at least every 2 weeks in the school.

- At least three formal observation rounds over the year + feedback.

- Peer observations.

- Classroom based tasks.

- IH Andalucia Seminar Day and other conferences.

- IHCYLT.

- Delta.

- Online courses.

- PDI.

Seminars in the school

Seminars are held at least every 2 weeks. Topics are varied and include both theory and practical ideas directly related to teachers needs. Teachers are also encouraged to give sessions on areas of their interest.

Three observations over the year + feedback

Formal observations take place at least three times a year (for new teachers) where feedback is given in order to:

- Give appraisal of teaching performance and agree on main strengths and areas to work on.

- Modify goals for development /training in the light of observation.

Peer observations

Teachers are encouraged to observe their peers at least once a year.

Classroom based tasks

These are tasks that teachers are encouraged to do and for which support is provided. They may involve action research, surveys, trying new ideas, etc.

IH Andalucia Seminar Day and other conferences

Once a year, on a Saturday, all the teachers from the IH schools in Andalucia – Córdoba, Seville, Malaga and Huelva, get together for a Seminar Day, consisting of two talks by a well-known speaker followed by a dinner together.

The school also actively encourages, and funds, teachers to attend important seminars in Andalucia and Madrid, such as the ACIEA and TESOL-SPAIN conferences, and the workshops organised by the local teachers’ association CETA. The school usually pays for either transport or the entrance fee in return for the teachers giving feedback on the conference in a seminar.

IHCYLT (International House Certificate for Young Learners and Teenagers)

All teachers who do not have this certificate are given the chance to take it (free of charge) before starting their contracts. This practical face-to-face course (lasting 2 weeks) covers both theoretical and practical aspects and gives teachers the opportunity to develop their skills with young learners.

DELTA

We encourage teachers to take the DELTA, either following the International House Distance DELTA while at the school or taking an intensive course elsewhere. There is an agreement by which the school refunds the full cost of the DELTA course (over the three years following the course), if the teacher stays on.

Online courses

International House schools offer a variety of online training opportunities for their teachers through the International House Online Teacher Training Institute (OTTI). There is a wide variety of courses and online events to choose from, such as the Certificate in Advanced Methodology, Language Awareness Course, Online Tutoring, Teaching Business English etc.

All these IH courses count towards the IH ATA (IH Advanced Teacher Award), which, when achieved, is given recognition by the school with a salary increment.

Professional Development Interviews (PDI)

New teachers have a PDI in March in order to:

-To get feedback on your performance in school in various aspects.

-To set personal aims in your teaching, and discuss how the school might help in your future development and what specific further training might be required.

-Offer you the chance to give feedback to the school.

Written feedback is given to the teacher and later used in PDI’s and also to complete the PDI Report form, which is used as a reference when applying for transfers within IH, at the end of the year.