Proud to be tvmbo - Kortlopend Onderwijsonderzoek

point the main reasons for students to choose tvmbo. We come back to this topic in
Chapter 6, in the discussion of the results of the online surveys.
EIO European and International Orientation (EIO)
EIO is an extremely important key to the success of tvmbo, both in the lessons and
outside. Incorporating EIO into lessons and projects is very motivating for students,
since they see the clear link between what they are learning with real life. Inviting native
speakers into the classroom is also very motivating. Trips abroad or exchanges
also give tvmbo students a concrete, immediate reason to communicate in English.
Visiting English-speaking countries and communicating with native speaker teenagers
is perhaps the most motivating aspect of EIO. More experienced schools understand
the vital importance of EIO as a motivating factor in the tvmbo stream. However, most
schools mentioned that their EIO curriculum still needs to be developed further, designed
and implemented.
Assessment and tvmbo
Most schools are in early stages of thinking about assessment in tvmbo. Most schools
have ideas about assessing their students but these ideas have yet to be put into practice
and have not yet considered the impact of bilingual education on testing. Some are
considering the use of external international examinations.
Teachers’ own English and the role of the English department
Some teachers are happy with their level of English; others are concerned that their
English level affects their relationship with the students. Schools are working on testing
and improving their teachers’ English and some have done English language
courses. Teachers are also becoming more aware of the language element in their
teaching.
The role of the English department differs from school to school. At some schools, an
English teacher plays a vital role in English improvement or on collaborating to make
or correct materials. English teachers sometimes observe colleagues and give them
feedback. At other schools, the English department plays no role in tvmbo. English
teachers are mostly very keen to collaborate with subject colleagues.
Teacher selection
At some schools, all the teachers are required to teach in tvmbo, so there is no selection
procedure. At other schools teachers volunteer to teach in tvmbo if their English is
good enough. Some schools choose to invite tvwo teachers to work in tvmbo; others
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