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New international partnership to offer language and teaching opportunities with Thailand
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has begun a new partnership with Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU) in Thailand to provide language and teaching exchange for students. In response to the ongoing pandemic the academic team for the MA Education with TESOL course (MA EdTESOL) are using online learning and digital tools to extend and develop current provision for English language teaching practice for their students, further partnerships with international HE institutions, along with offering an opportunity for language and cultural exchange. The NRRU students are studying an English language module before being assessed on their use of spoken English for formal and special occasions. Our MA EdTESOL students will be working with the NRRU students to improve their English language presentations for their assessments with ongoing virtual meetings in which they will work on a 2-1 basis (2 NRRU students to 1 BGU student). This language support will be arranged between the students in their free time and take the 7-hour time difference into consideration. BGU students will then be assessed on a lesson they deliver to their Thai students to practice English language teaching methodology. Dr Kay Johnson, Programme Leader for MA EdTESOL at BGU, discussed the positive impact the partnership could offer: “The initiative to partner with colleagues in Thailand is indicative of our creative and proactive teaching teams' commitment to making the best of a difficult situation. Using online tools to deliver our MA students opportunities for authentic English language teaching practice is proving to be a successful and popular addition to the programme!” “This exchange and other intercultural events embedded in the MA aim to support our postgraduate students' growth as global citizens, in addition to developing their awareness of the complex role of English as a global language and the part they play in this as language education professionals. We are a keen to fulfil BGU's commitment to internationalise the curriculum, alongside strengthening our ties with high-calibre institutions at the forefront of education and teacher-training worldwide” Piyachat Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya, Director of the Language Institute at NRRU, shared Kay’s excitement at the unique learning opportunities the project could create: “It’s a great opportunity for all the students to practice their English with native English speakers who are fluent. In their lives they don’t have a lot of chances to engage with foreigners in in-depth conversations, so this is a fantastic way for them to learn despite ongoing travel restrictions. It’s very exciting to be in partnership that is utilising these online resources so effectively to benefit of both sets of students” To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. -
Participatory Autism Research Symposium
Bishop Grosseteste University’s LORIC Autism Ideas Café and the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC) are pleased to announce details of their joint event to be held on 24th March 2021. -
Spring Return Information
Information on how we plan to return to learning safely through the Spring -
Telling It Like It Is - TILIIs
This was an interpretative qualitative study which explored BAME students’ holistic experiences of BGU from application and reasons for choosing BGU (including marketing and promotion materials), through to experiences of study and support while on programme including grades achieved, graduation and advice given on career progression. The purpose of the study was to inform BGU of BAME students’ perceptions of provision and where further development may be needed. Building on the work of Sewell and Mirza which investigated BAME school students’ experiences of education, Peart which explored FE and the recent Universities UK/NUS report on the Attainment of BAME students the research will explored the particular dynamics of being a small university set in a primarily agricultural county with a 98% ‘white’ population with an aim of making recommendations for future practice. These dynamics are of particular importance as the BAME population at BGU is about 2% and the study seeks to explore how very small minorities experience life in a mainly White organization. BAME students nationally may perceive their university course as unsatisfactory in some respects (Singh, 2011) and are particularly vulnerable to discrimination during work-based placements (Gardner, 2008). In order to investigate how these and other factors have influenced BAME student recruitment and experiences at BGU, the study collected data on student perceptions using a semi-structured individual interviews with student participants. From a potential population of circa 55 students, 9 expressed interest in the project and 5 agreed to take part as student consultants. -
STEWDUBS Erasmus+ Project –Student Teacher Well-being
Deepening Understanding and Building Support -
Academics' Research Explores Teacher Training and Well-Being Around the World
Academics from Bishop Grosseteste University's (BGU) Well-being and Workload in Education Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit (RKEU) have published an article in the British Education Research Association's Research Intelligence magazine. Out this month the article, by Dr. Aimee Quickfall, Dr. Emma Clarke and Shaun Thompson, explores the differences and similarities in teacher trainee well-being across Finland, Denmark and the UK, drawing on their research experience of three years data collection in these countries. Speaking ahead of publication, Dr Quickfall discussed the article’s focus, along with the ongoing work of the RKEU: “Mental health and well-being are pressing issues for the education sector, and the pandemic has exacerbated this. This BGU RKEU are working to find solutions to poor teacher trainee well-being, by looking to other countries for best practice. The team are currently engaged in an Erasmus+ funded project to build teacher trainee and mentor tool kits to support well-being and manage workload.” The Spring edition of Research Intelligence is focused on contemporary issues in mental health and wellbeing in education, and has been guest edited by Professor Jonathan Glazzard and Samuel Stones from Leeds Beckett University, and can be found here: https://www.bera.ac.uk/publication/spring-2021 You can find more information on the work and projects of the Well-being and Workload RKEU by clicking here.. If you’re interested in a future in education, our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (3 year undergraduate degree), BA (Hons) Primary Teaching Studies with QTS (15 month top up degree), and PGCE courses are the perfect ways to begin or continue your adventure on the path to becoming a fantastic teacher! If you have any questions, our Enquiries Team are ready to help. Contact them today or visit our website to find out how to take your next steps. -
Exploring 'Digital Imposter Syndrome' and How to Support Those Struggling with it
Dr. Theresa Marriott, Digital Learning Technologist in the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at Bishop Grosseteste University, has been published in the Society for Education and Training's journal (InTuition) for her research into ‘Digital Impostor Syndrome’. The article explores how, while online learning has become a firm component of learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater reliance on technology has also increased the risk of teachers and students struggling with Digital Impostor Syndrome. Drawing on her research, Dr. Theresa Marriott discusses digital impostorship and explores strategies for how to support those who may be finding it challenging to use their digital skills so intensely. Speaking following publication Dr Marriott discussed what drove her research: “The research was originally my PhD research but from this developed an awareness of Impostor Syndrome specifically related to technology in my roles working in Learning and Teaching Enhancement. Post PhD research it became apparent that in my daily practice I was seeing many staff and students who felt like impostors when using technology and this has greatly amplified during COVID where learning and teaching moved online. Through this I have a greater awareness of the barriers to using and engaging with technology, and my practice has developed to support students and staff using an enabling approach to ensure that they can feel more digitally confident.” You can read the full article by clicking here. To find out how you can create your own successes in our collaborative learning community, visit our website, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of our Open Days. Image credit: Unsplash. -
English Department provides ‘A Night in With Shakespeare’ for BGU students
The ongoing period of COVID-19 has created a number of challenges to the Higher Education experience of students and staff across the country. At Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) the English Department Team have risen to the task of finding innovative and adaptive ways for students to interact and learn socially as Dr Amy Albudri, Lecturer in English at BGU, explains: -
Don’t let Dyslexia stop you from achieving your dreams!
Victoria Dalton - BA (Hons) English Literature student - shares her advice on staying positive and focused when facing challenges -
Family and study: Striking a balance!
Victoria Dalton - BA (Hons) English Literature student - shares her guide to balancing family and study commitments
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