Information about the two courses:
The certification procedure for lecturers teaching in English at Roskilde University, is an innovative program designed with supporting the teacher in mind.
This groundbreaking program, unlike other standardized tests, provides teachers with the knowledge, tools and self-awareness to function better and more confidently in a teaching context. Using a facilitative approach, teachers are supported in developing their own skills through courses and one-one-one consultations, tailored to the teacher’s individual competencies and needs.
Through the program, teachers will improve their ability to structure and present knowledge in comprehensible language to optimize student comprehension, motivation and participation.
By earning certification at RUC, teachers will gain a professional qualification that will ensure the quality of teaching to students and staff alike, secure the lecturer in the task of teaching, and facilitate self-awareness, while providing the means to develop one’s own language skills.
Hours spent in certification should be marked as in-service training related to teaching and languages, for which teachers are assigned 14 hours per year. Ultimately, all teachers who are currently teaching in English must be certified.
We expect to carry out 18 certifications per semester and registration will be ongoing. You will find information on how to register at the end of this text.
A detailed description of the program follows below.
Please contact Therese Hauge at thehau(at)ruk.dk for more information on the content of the certification, and Kim Fomsgaard at kimf(at)ruc.dk for information on registration and other practical administrative matters.
After teachers register, the process begins with an introductory meeting to give the teachers an overview of the certification program. This is followed by a preliminary 10 minute individual conversation with the certifier. If the certifier concludes that the teacher within reason has the language skills necessary for teaching, the teacher can then continue on to the certification itself. The certification procedure then takes place with the teacher following a course (if selected), recording of teaching session, followed by feedback and potentially suggestions for further skills development.
During the one and a half hour introductory meeting, teachers will get an overview of the program, including the objectives and procedure, as well as teaching samples with examples. The introductory meeting is open primarily to those teachers who have already registered and intend to take the certification in the immediate or following semester. At this time we have already planned the introductory meetings for a two and a half year period:
All non-native teachers will participate in an interview about their research or research-based topics for teaching. This interview is conducted in English and Danish. The date for the ten minute talk is agreed upon between teacher and certifier and will take place in Building 30.
Teachers will be recorded conducting a 45 minute (precisely) teaching session. The recording allows for a self-assessment, where the teacher can gain awareness of strengths and weaknesses, providing a basis for change. Please note that the certification can only take place when teachers are teaching, as we must evaluate recordings of teaching sessions. Recordings of teaching sessions are preferably arranged in good time for us to ensure that we have a camera person available. Feedback will then take place within two and three weeks of the recording.
Those teachers who feel most confident with a more detailed introduction (Crash Course) or with practical training (Practice Course) are encouraged to sign up for either of these courses. Other teachers, who want to wait with the certification because they want to improve their language skills first, are encouraged to register for the Practice Course (and/or other LICS courses that they may find useful).
Teachers do not have to participate in any courses to register, but they should be aware that if they are not estimated to have the necessary skills during the 10-minute talk with certifier, they cannot go through the rest of the certification procedure. Instead they are advised to participate in the Practice Course plus other relevant LICS courses.
Courses will be available at least once per semester. The number will depend on the demand. The courses are usually arranged in good time so that the teacher can plan ahead.