The Training Pathway
The online course in inquiry-based learning for young learner teachers
Are you ready to transform your classroom?
Where to start?
The best way to achieve the highest levels of engagement is by exploring topics that our students are really interested in, whether it’s Minecraft or mechanics or makeup!
So you want to design an inquiry based on their interests and needs.
But how?
With the Inspiring Inquiries Pathway. You’ll find everything you need to become a successful inquiry-based teacher.
Videos and activities that you can do any time, anywhere
Practical tasks to carry out in the classroom with your students each week
Live online workshops to exchange ideas and consolidate learning
A reflection journal to record experiences and plan next steps
A small online community for shared experiences and support
Self-study modules to help you implement inquiry in your classroom
The Inspiring Inquiries Training Pathway takes you from inquiry newbie to expert in six weeks. You’ll learn how to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that fosters student engagement and empowers your students to become independent learners.
Key takeaways
At the end of the course, you will have:
✅ a thorough understanding of how inquiry-based learning works
✅ the tools and strategies to confidently plan, lead and carry out an inquiry
✅ a teacher-designed inquiry ready to use in the classroom
You will be able to reflect on the inquiry process carried out and identify potential issues and actionable areas for improvement.
When you follow the Inspiring Inquiries Training Pathway, you will be equipped to carry out effective inquiry-based learning in the classroom and beyond.
Course Programme
The Inspiring Inquiries Training Pathway is a six-week online course on inquiry-based learning for teachers working with young learners in the English language (EFL/ESL) classroom.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Unit 1 Universal Design for Learning & inclusion
We’ll start by exploring inclusion principles and discover how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) helps create an inclusive classroom.
Unit 2 What is inquiry-based learning?
After being introduced to inquiry-based learning and its key features, you’ll discover how we can use it in the EFL classroom.
Unit 3 Planning an inquiry
Now you know the basics, we’ll explore the inquiry cycle and examine its different stages. You’ll start to plan an inquiry for a specific group of students.
Unit 4 Carrying out an inquiry
Here you’ll explore the practicalities of setting up an inquiry in the classroom and start thinking about resources and tools that might be suitable for each stage.
Unit 5 Making thinking visible
How do we know that students are learning? Discover different strategies for documenting learning as you analyse sample inquiry materials.
Unit 6 Designing your own inquiry
In this end-of-course project with personalised feedback, you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice as you design an inquiry for your students.
Self study modules
While the focus is on inquiry-based learning, these modules include more general information about each topic as well as practical ideas to help you develop an inquiry-based classroom. Topics currently available include:
- the curriculum
- differentiation
- teaching language through inquiry
- assessment
Under Michelle’s expert guidance, I explored different models of inquiry-based learning and developed an inquiry unit to use in the classroom. My cohort met for a live session once a week, which was a great opportunity to ask questions and to hear the ideas and perspectives of other teachers. I also learned a lot from the videos and writing activities included in the weekly homework. I really appreciated having everything in one place so I could study the material at any time.
I would recommend this course for all young learner teachers, even those who feel like they are constrained by having to use a textbook or follow a set syllabus in the school where they teach, since many aspects of this course can be applied to all types of young learner class. This type of teaching can have a wonderfully positive impact on learners especially those who don’t thrive in a more traditional classroom environment.
How much is it and what does it include?
The Training Pathway
The complete online hybrid course
The six-week course with live support- Additional self-study mini-courses
- Payment plans (3 x instalments*)
- Inquiry Implementation Observation & Feedback (available as an add-on at 220€)
- *Payment plans may include surcharges. Prices include VAT.
For business customers overseas, VAT is not charged. Please contact me directly at michelle@michelleworgan.com if you require this option.
Are you a school?
The prices above are for individuals. If you’d like to run this training course for a closed group of teachers, please click here. Face-to-face training is also available.
FAQs
How often does the course run?
As this is a cohort-based course, I usually run it twice a year. In 2025 it will run from October to November. Bookings will open in August. In the meantime, you can join the wait list.
I’ve signed up for the course. What will happen next?
You’ll receive a welcome email from me confirming your place on the course. I’ll also send you a questionnaire to help me learn a little more about you and your teaching experience.
Where will the course take place?
The course will be 100% online. Live sessions will be held in Butter (an online web conferencing tool). There will also be a community where you’ll be asked to share your homework tasks. You’ll receive a link to the community the week before the course starts.
How many people will there be on the course?
Normally there will be a maximum of twelve people on the course. For the live workshop sessions, you will be in smaller groups of approximately six.
You’re in Europe but I’m in a different time zone. Will I be able to attend the live sessions?
The time of the live sessions will be chosen according to the needs of the majority of participants and I will endeavour to choose a time that works for everyone. However, if you are not able to attend any of the sessions, they will be recorded for you to watch later.
What is the Inquiry Implementation?
Inquiry implementation is a personalised observation package. It includes video observation* of either 3 x 60 minute lessons or 6 x 30 minute lesson extracts on which you will be provided with feedback and suggestions on how to improve as an inquiry teacher.
*You will be required to film your lessons and share videos with me. More detailed guidance will be provided if you purchase this package.
Be the teacher who makes a difference
Inquiry-based learning is a flexible and powerful learner-centred approach. It develops critical thinking skills and it can help children develop into socially responsible citizens as they grow up.
You can also read more about Inquiry-based learning on this blog post I wrote for Cambridge English.
Why not sign up to my newsletter? You’ll get regular emails containing tips for teaching young learners with learner-centred approaches. You’ll also be the first to hear about course updates and resources as they go live. ➡️
Ready for the Pathway?
Want to try before you buy?
Why not try out one of the Inspiring Inquiries Resource Packs first?
Each pack gives you a step-by-step plan for the themed inquiry that will allow you to see how inquiry-based learning works with your learners. The packs include the Quick Guide to Inquiry which provides a useful overview of inquiry-based learning.
