Teen SIG

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The Special Interest Group for teenage learners brings together teachers from both the state and private sector. The fact that English is part of their compulsory school curriculum clearly sets apart the learners in this group from other SIGs. If you are interested in issues dealing with motivation, mixed-ability, and methodology, Teen SIG offers you practical classroom ideas. Teaching teenagers also involves a broad range of interests typically covered by other SIGs thus making it the most extensive SIG. This variety in its approach will benefit your own professional development. So why not join Teen SIG and share your views and experiences with colleagues from all over Switzerland?

Urs Kalberer, SIG Coordinator

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‘If you can teach teenagers you can teach anyone‘.

Urs grew up in Switzerland and learnt English at the Gymnasium. As a secondary school teacher he teaches German, French, History and English at state schools.

Urs presided his cantonal colleagues in the teacher's union and has excellent insights into the Swiss state school system. In 2002 he got his certificate for English at secondary schools. He finished his M.Ed. in ELT in 2007 and since then has been commenting on educational policy in Switzerland. His passion for teaching inspires him to attend conferences, give teacher training workshops, and most recently take over the Teen SIG chair.

"I have been teaching teenagers for more than twenty years and I enjoy the challenge of motivating students, introducing new materials and continually keeping abreast of new methods and technologies. Therefore the teenage years offer a golden opportunity both for me and for my students".