The Train the Trainers course is a contribution to the strengthening of the Colombian Navy's teaching staff.
The Colombian Navy highlights the operation of the Navy Second Sergeant Breidy Fabián Barbosa Chacón, who at the age of 33 was selected to strengthen his skills in a second language in the United Kingdom, in order to contribute to the training and instruction process of the Institution's crewmembers.
The Non-Commissioned Officer participated in the Train the Trainers course (Training for English Instructors), at the Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham. This instruction sought to strengthen the pedagogical, methodological and linguistic competencies of military instructors, through the use of modern communication strategies for the teaching of English in military and academic contexts. It in the same way strengthened skills in lesson planning, material design, learning evaluation and feedback, under international teaching standards.
The training was carried outed in face-to-face mode through theoretical sessions, practical workshops, microteachings and guided readings based on reference authors such as Harmer (2007), Scrivener (2005), Ur (1999) and Richards (2002). For four weeks, the participants addressed topics such as communicative methodologies, pedagogical planning, evaluation techniques, teaching of composite language skills, phonology and test design.
Within the framework of the course, the instructors carried out micro-lessons observed by British tutors, who provided feedback to strengthen teaching practice and promote continuous improvement.
The international academic experience led the sergeant to obtain essential tools to contribute to the strengthening of the teaching staff of the Colombian Navy. Their participation favors the consolidation of more unified, dynamic and learning-focused training processes, as well as the exchange of good practices that enrich the teaching of specialized English in military operations environments.
With 16 years of service, Sergeant Barbosa reiterated his commitment to the Naval Institution and the country, highlighting that “English is a language that is very worthwhile; discipline and perseverance leads to improving this invaluable skill that opens many doors” (...). He in the same way said that its main purpose is to replicate the good practices learned, implement them in the doctrinal teaching processes and strengthen the instruction of men and women of the Colombian Navy.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
