The Seminar Committee of the Department of English organized an engaging and insightful seminar titled “Cooperative Teaching and Learning Session,” at 2 pm on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 in Room 303. The session was led by Prof. Ivan Shafaat Bari, a renowned freelance ELT practitioner and Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations at BRAC University. All the faculty members and students of the MA in ELT program attended the event, making it a truly collaborative and educational experience.
The primary objective of this seminar was to foster a cooperative teaching and learning environment where both educators and students could explore the diverse needs of language learners. Prof. Bari highlighted the critical role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in effective language acquisition, demonstrating how it can be seamlessly integrated with Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop more impactful teaching materials. His insights shed light on the importance of addressing both cognitive and emotional factors in language instruction, ensuring more holistic and engaging learning experiences.
Participants actively engaged in various group activities, including pairwork exercises, that allowed them to identify key benchmarks for language skill assessment. The interactive nature of the session enabled teachers and students alike to collaboratively discover new approaches to teaching and learning, emphasizing the importance of emotional and intellectual connections in the classroom.
The seminar was not only successful in imparting valuable knowledge but also in opening up new avenues for professional growth. By focusing on the emotive aspects of learning and integrating modern pedagogical techniques, the event provided participants with fresh perspectives on language education. Such seminars are vital in promoting the exchange of ideas, fostering innovation in teaching practices, and ultimately enhancing the learning experience for students. This particular session proved to be a resounding success, leaving attendees with practical strategies and renewed enthusiasm for cooperative teaching.