Welcome to the IH Celebration of Diversity: Global voices on nurturing inclusive practice. This is a space to champion Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) in our classrooms, staffrooms, and throughout the International Education industry.
Our mission is to foster an environment where EDIB principles are not just embraced but integral to the very fabric of what it means to be part of a worldwide community.
Join us for a series of engaging and educational events, featuring presentations and interactive seminars. These sessions are thoughtfully crafted to equip you with the tools and confidence to apply EDIB principles in your role, whether you're a teacher, administrator, or industry professional.
We recognize that EDIB is an ongoing conversation and we invite you to be an active part of this transformative journey. You can get involved by joining our webinars and sharing your thoughts, questions and ideas. Your contributions are invaluable and together we can create a more inclusive future. Our ears are always open, and we look forward to your collaboration in building a community where everyone truly belongs.
Register your interest in the IH Celebration of Diversity in the form below.
Details
- Monthly events are open to anyone who wants to participate.
- Scheduled interactive discussions/workshop sessions for IH affiliates.
- Webinars will be streamed live and available to watch afterwards.
The Webinars
November 2023
Session Title: Deconstructing EDIB: What, why, and how?
Speaker: Dr. Amina Douidi
Bio: Dr Douidi is a Diversity Equity and Inclusion consult and DEI reviewer for publishers and a pre-sessional EAP tutor in UK Higher Education. She speaks about accessibility and diversity in language learning, helping every learner thrive, and promoting interculturality in ELT. Amina is Co-Chair Elect of TESOL ICIS championing contributions from teachers and researchers from the Global Majority. Amina has delivered talks and webinars for Pearson, MacMillan, British Council, Braz-TESOL, IATEFL and more.
December 2023
Session Title: How to Handle Hot Moments in (and out) of the Classroom
Speakers: Verónica Higareda and Reena Mistry
Bio: Reena Mistry, DEIB CoCoordinator at IH Lacunza, San Sebastián, and an EFL teacher for five years, having pivoted from a career in pharmacy: “I believe it is our duty as teachers to guide our young learners into becoming responsible Global Citizens”.
Verónica Higareda, DEIB CoCoordinator at IH Lacunza, San Sebastián-Donostia, and an EFL teacher with 20 years of classroom experience: “From day one, I have provided students with a safe space for exploration and encouraged dialogue on real life challenges and social justice issues”.
Session Abstract: A student uses inappropriate or offensive language or behaviour in the classroom. It’s awkward and uncomfortable. Dread sets in. The teacher panics. What to do? We’ve all been there.
In this hands-on session, we explore how to handle these “hot moments” in the classroom. We will provide you with some practical tools and reflections to take back to your classrooms.
February 2024
Session Title: The Unpublished: Are We Editing LGBTQ+ Identities out of the Classroom?
Speakers: Giovanni Licata
Session Abstract: Giovanni Licata is an English language lecturer at the University of Florence and a Cambridge CELTA and Delta trainer at IH Rome. Having worked in schools across Europe, Asia and the US, he has developed an interest in sociolinguistics as well as teacher and learner identities in the ELT classroom. He is joint coordinator of the IATEFL IP&SEN special interest group.
Speaker Bio: Giovanni Licata is an English language lecturer at the University of Florence and a Cambridge CELTA and Delta trainer at IH Rome. Having worked in schools across Europe, Asia and the US, he has developed an interest in sociolinguistics as well as teacher and learner identities in the ELT classroom. He is joint coordinator of the IATEFL IP&SEN special interest group.
March 2024
Session Title: Busting Myths of Autism in the EFL Classroom
Speaker: Sisi Rabenstein
Bio: Sisi manages a team of coordinators for extracurricular YL classes at IH Madrid, with 12 years of EFL experience and first-hand knowledge of the learning experience of people with autism. She is also a Cambridge speaking examiner Team Leader for YLE & Main Suite and a conference speaker.
Session Abstract: The discussion of learning differences has taken a slant towards positive language and representation, but often the perception is still that students are disadvantaged - both those with learning differences and sometimes their peers. This talk aims to raise awareness of the experience of EFL students with autism, what that can look like and how a different way of thinking and seeing the world can have a positive effect on the learning experience.