Pathways-training

POLKU (in English PATHWAYS – Trough Active Readership to Communities of Readers) further education strengthened the readership of teachers and enhances the theoretical and practical skills in language pedagogy and in developing creative learning environments for learning language, especially from the perspective of multilingualism and individual needs. The main goal of the POLKU- further education was to promote cooperation and sharing between teachers, schools and municipal actors.

The POLKU-further education was based on workshops based on literature and utilizing linguistic creativity. In workshops, the participants learned from peers and develop their own pedagogy based on individual learning goals. The methods implemented during the workshops encouraged interaction and creativity, which promoted engagement in reading and equalize the position of readers in reader communities.

The pedagogical approaches used in POLKU-education were mainly unknown in Finland.  POLKU-project (online and in face-to-face meetings) promoted continuous learning and equal opportunities to develop professional skills. Workshops were held regularly throughout the project and if necessary in English and in overlapping languages, using the languages ​​of the participants.

The training began in September 2020 and ended by the end of 2021. The training was organized – due to Covid-19 – online. POLKU-further education consisted of five individual courses (15 credits in total), which in addition to small group meetings contain open educational events.  The aim was that as many participants as possible complete and participate all the courses. The training was free for participants but required a commitment to participate.

The Finnish National Agency of Education funded the education.

Director and person in charge of the University of Turku subproject Juli-Anna Aerila (julaer@utu.fi)
Person in charge of the University of Jyväskylä subproject Merja Kauppinen (merja.a.kauppinen@jyu.fi)