On November 14, the University of Latvia successfully launched the professional development course, ‘Promoting Reading Skills in Latvian as a Foreign Language in the Digital Environment’. The first seminar, spanning five contact hours, brought together 40 dedicated language teachers eager to deepen their understanding of reading methodology. Participants engaged with topics such as lead-in questions, key concepts, practical demonstrations, and teaching methodology planning. Through reflective exercises, they examined teaching approaches and consolidated their learning with prompts like ‘I learned’, ‘I understood’, and ‘I wonder’. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for their individual exploration activities, including piloting lesson plans and completing a structured questionnaire designed to enhance their teaching practice.
The second seminar, held online via MS Teams on December 12, focused on digital reading strategies and tools, building on the earlier session’s groundwork. Over three contact hours, the same group of 40 teachers explored innovative tools and methods to enhance digital literacy in their classrooms. Participants were encouraged to pilot the digital tools in their teaching environments, reflect on their effectiveness, and share insights on integrating these strategies into their lesson plans. This blend of collaborative learning and individual experimentation has positioned the teachers to make a transformative impact on their students’ reading skills.
Looking ahead, other partner universities in the project will organise similar professional development courses during winter 2025, extending this initiative’s reach and impact. As we continue to equip teachers with the tools and methodologies to promote reading skills, we look forward to witnessing the positive changes these efforts bring to classrooms worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from our dedicated educators as they embrace this journey!