Positive Education (Easy English Course)

Description

This course has been designed to fulfill the increasing need to create a positive environment in schools by teachers with low English skills.

It has been designed in a workshop formula, where, besides theoretical introductions, participants will experiment in first-person exercises and create projects to enhance a positive approach to school and education in general.

This contemporary educational approach is based on Positive Psychology, which is the scientific study of human flourishing and optimal functioning and focuses on strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities, and organizations to succeed.

During the course, participants will learn how to enhance positive thinking, reduce negative self-talk, practice gratitude, humor, and mindfulness, and learn the importance of praising ourselves.

They will learn how to practice positive communication with themselves, their students, and colleagues, learning how to convert negative, disruptive, and ineffective communication into a virtuous circle of positive relationships, referring also to graphic design as a positive visual communication tool.

Participants will then expand to the surrounding environment, the school, to learn about the importance of positive design, architecture, and decoration in and outside the classroom, inspired by design psychology principles and driven by the peculiarity of each country and case.

All activities are delivered in a hands-on, workshop-style format, encouraging active participation, personal experience, and self-reflection.

The course explains every concept in clear, simple English and employs a variety of tools to ensure full comprehension. The trainer, experienced in supporting learners with limited English proficiency, provides additional assistance whenever necessary.

A mix of pictures, videos, step‑by‑step instructions, and collaborative activities guarantees that no participant is left behind. Participants remain engaged through group learning, with continuous support always available.

This blend of cognitive and emotional engagement is designed to make learning more meaningful and ready to use in all of your future classrooms!

By the end of the course, participants will have learned how to design programs that combine academics with the development of character strengthening and well-being, such as the experience of positive emotions, engagement with activities, and the establishment of meaningful practices and relationships.

Note: Please remember to bring your own laptop, as it will be required during the course.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants understand how to:

• Practice and enhance positive thinking, reduce negative self-criticism, practice gratitude, humor, and mindfulness;
• Practice positive communication with themselves, students, and colleagues, and share it concretely once back in school;
• Create a positive, pleasant environment in and outside the classroom through sustainable design and decoration principles;
• Create a project for themselves and for the school based on positive design possibly applicable to school;
• Design programs based on Positive Education that combine academics with the development of character strengths and well-being;
• Use mindfulness as an opportunity to train your mind, focus your attention on the present, relax, achieve goals, and reach a certain level of self-awareness.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Practice with translation tools
• Foundation in Positive Psychology. History, Pioneers, Theories, and methods. A pleasant life, Good life and Flow, Flourishing, Meaningful life, Strengths and Virtues;

Day 2 – Applying positive psychology to education

• Positive education;
• Applying positive psychology to education: students, teachers and family challenges;
• A healthy mind;
• The roots of negative self-assessment;
• Practicing mindfulness and humor.

Day 3 – Positive communication

• Designing a positive education school program: strengths and virtues activity;
• How to convert your communication into positive communication, both visually and verbally.

Day 4 – Importance of mindfulness

• Mindfulness at school. Personal project: hands-on work;
• Design psychology principles for schools; 
• Group or personal project: hands-on work.

Day 5 – Self reflection

• The positive teacher;
• Self-reflection activity and personal project implementation.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

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