Page 11 - ELG2102 Feb Issue 474

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On course at NILE

Mike Riley, Deputy Director of NILE, the language-teacher training
institution, talks to Melanie Butler about what sets it apart

NILE is management consultant on the Long a leader in online training, you
PRELIM project (see opposite), because have also done research on it. What is
of your long experience. When did you your most important !nding?
start working in the developing world? There are lots to choose from. In 2019 we ANDREW KAHUMBU/NILE
We are very excited about PRELIM, especially evaluated five years of NILE online programmes
as it comes in our 25th year. And yes, we’ve and discovered that online teacher education
been working with countries in the developing can have just as positive an impact on beliefs
world from day one. Brazil is a great example. and practises as face-to-face training.
Currently we’re working on a project with one We have just published research carried
of the largest teaching organisations in Rio, out alongside Chris Farrell from CES, John
looking at the development of a new online Glew-O’Leary, IH Manchester and Sophia
assessment platform and local delivery of NILE Mavridi, looking at hybrid learning. One key network of NILE Language Teacher Education
master’s modules, but that’s just the latest finding is that understanding of best practice partners, which help us offer something
chapter in a long history. in this area, which is suddenly centre stage, is different. Working with Bridge Mills in Galway
only just emerging. and ESE in St Julian’s, Malta, for example,
You’ve been running projects allows us to offer programmes in alternative
throughout the pandemic? Working with others is part of the NILE English-speaking contexts within the EU.
Thanks to the internet. We’ve trained over ethos, PRELIM is an example, as is your
1,800 Tunisian primary teachers as part of partnership with Macmillan Education. Mike Riley joined NILE Norwich
the British Council’s Teaching for Success Can you explain why? as Deputy Director in 2020
project. Working with local teaching advisors, Our founder, Dave Allan, led the way and following four years as teacher
we’ve been able to support teachers in every our director, Thom Kiddle, continues that training manager at Macmillan
part of the country. We’ve also continued our tradition. It’s great to work with colleagues Education. He has also taught in his home
work in Uzbekistan, where we are working on who share our values and approach. As well as city of Manchester, UK, and in Milan, Italy.
the EMI in Higher Education project. the Macmillan partnership, we have a global

Expand your experience and

develop new ideas with

NILE’s expert trainers

Short courses, CELTA, Delta and MA

for language teachers and trainers

in the UK, overseas and online

Contact registrar@nile-elt.com for more informat on.

www.nile-elt.com

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