Description
Few formal language support mechanisms are available for Irish or English (official languages) in the private or public workplace settings in Ireland. A new professional development programme called Language Coaching in the Workplace informed by humanistic approaches (Rogers, 1951) and positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000) was recently launched at the University of Limerick.
"Language Coaching", an overarching term denotes the professional practice of Advising in Language Learning (Mynard, 2012, 2021; Ní Loingsigh & Mozzon-McPherson, 2020; Ní Loingsigh, 2023) at the heart of the Micro-Credential. Language Coaching is promoted as an intervention to support the development of quality public services through Irish and the implementation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 (OLA).
Module participants are expected to get involved in facilitating language coaching and learner-awareness clinics using a range of advising skills and tools in their institutions. The shared intention is that they develop a positive leadership (Cameron, 2021) ‘brand’ concerning language learning within their organisations.
Preliminary reflections regarding leadership in the design of language support structures and approaches to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) are explored in this presentation. Firstly, an account of collective decision-making with stakeholders throughout the development of the Micro-Credential is shared. These draw on consultations about the vision for the programme, content, materials design, pedagogical approaches, and ways to measure impact.
Secondly, insights from reflective practice discussions with Micro-Credential participants are analysed. Here, the focus is on positive language learning environments, positive institutions (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; MacIntyre & Mercer, 2014) and the impact of the programme. The presentation closes with a commentary on the need for appreciative leadership (Whitney et al., 2010) in relation to language support in public-sector institutions, and advocacy for sustainable approaches (Hays & Reinders, 2020) to CPD in order to establish and strengthen the professional practice of Language Coaching.
Dr Deirdre Ní Loingsigh (Organiser and Presenter)
PLL5 Symposium: Building Positive Institutions and Organisational Language Competence. Other participants: Varagnolo, Gruffydd, Quell.
| Period | 17 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 5th |
| Location | Madrid, SpainShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |