Aurora English
Laura Hadwin
MA English Language, BA English Literature, PGCertHE, PIDP, Fellow of the HEA, TEFL-Q, TESL Cert, FDW
Laura Hadwin is an Instructor in ELD (English Language Development) at Camosun College in Victoria BC, Canada, where she teaches multicultural groups of adult learners. She has taught and delivered teacher training in South Korea, Spain, the UK, Turkey, Qatar and Mexico. She has been published in Teacher Trainer Journal, English Teaching Professional and Modern English Teacher. She facilitates the ISW (Instructional Skills Worskhop) and edits LITSIGNALS, an IATEFL publication dedicated to promoting the value of literature in language teaching and learning. She has an MA in English Language, a PGCert in Higher Education, the PIDP (Provincial Instructor Diploma Program), TEFL-Q and TESLCert. She strongly believes in lifelong learning, and in her free time, she enjoys volunteering, art, yoga and exploring our beautiful world!
Learning is a treasure that follows its owner everywhere.
-Ancient Chinese proverb
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
- William Arthur Ward
The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of the mind for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
- Anatole France
Whoever teaches learns in the act of teaching, and whoever learns teaches in the act of learning.
- Paulo Freire
You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
- Maya Angelou
There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.
- Edward de Bono
Educational Philosophy
Creativity is at the heart of living, teaching and learning, and these should mutually reinforce one another.
Learning opportunities are maximized with differentiation, flexibility and a valuing of the skills and knowledge that learners bring to the classroom.
The use of 'principled eclecticism' brings together elements from a variety of theories, approaches and methods to suit diverse learners in a wide range of learning environments.
A focus on the whole person (spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being) is key to facilitating optimal learning.
An emphasis on critical thinking, digital/media literacy and global citizenship skills leads to more meaningful learning that can be applied inside and outside of the classroom.
Learning through a dialogic process involving interaction and participation with the teacher, peers, learning organization and wider community enriches and deepens learning and engagement.
Education is a right deserved by everyone, and it should be accessible and inclusive.
Structured goal-setting, as well as responsibility for peer-teaching and peer-mentoring, leads to autonomy, accountability and greater agency and confidence for learners.
Areas of Interest
- Creativity
- Teacher Development
- Teacher Beliefs and Identity
- Community Engagement
- Materials Design
- Literacy
- Self-Directed Learning
- Motivation
- Andragogy
- Transformative Learning