In 2022/2023 school year, between October 2022 and March 2023, English language teachers from primary and secondary schools in the Zenica-Doboj Canton had the opportunity to register on the Future English Online Teacher Community platform, designed by the British Council, via specially created accounts. The purpose of the platform was for English language teachers to participate in learning and professional development that they would shape themselves and to connect with teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and 12 other countries participating in the platform. The platform functioned as a forum where teachers could exchange ideas, engage in discussions, share knowledge and experiences, reflect on their teaching practice and improve their work.
The platform made it possible to engage in the following activities:
- 6 online modules “Teaching for Success”, which could be accessed asynchronously, on the topics of learning outcomes, formative assessment, motivating students, etc.,
- moderated forum discussions (topics for forum discussions were selected to meet the needs of teachers and were part of the key topics covered by the programme),
- webinars delivered by ELT experts (British Council trainers, external UK guest speakers, country guest speakers),
- development of a self-reflection diary and a personal e-portfolio,
- special interest groups (e.g. 21st century learner/teacher skills, teaching students with special educational needs, integrating technology, action research, etc.), which teachers could join based on their interests, experiences and specific needs pertaining to their teaching practice.
The majority of English language teachers from the Zenica-Doboj Canton participated in the platform, and 60 of them met the requirements of this comprehensive six-month programme and received an e-certificate. The entire activity was the result of successful cooperation between the Pedagogical Institute Zenica and the British Council.
