Raising Active Citizens: Teaching critical thinking in the teen and young adult classroom (1 week in Corfu)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Dates

2026: 28.09.2026 – 03.10.2026

2027: Upon request

Intro

Are you ready to explore new ways to engage teenage students and encourage their motivation?

“Raising active citizens” explores how educators can adapt standard syllabus material into engaging, experiential activities that encourage independent thinking.

This course includes practical activities and discussions focused on critical thinking, problem-solving, and working with mixed-ability groups. Participants will explore ways to encourage independent thinking and active participation among teenagers.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for cultural and youth professionals of all disciplines – including teachers, leaders, counselors, mentors, camp leaders, extracurricular activity coordinators, and educational material authors – who want to encourage critical thinking in teens and young adults.

No prior advanced pedagogical expertise is required. Just curiosity and a willingness to move beyond “chalk and talk” teaching. Participants will benefit from an international learning experience while traveling with Erasmus+.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand teen motivation: Explore different ways to encourage teenagers and young adults to participate and think independently.
• Adapt syllabus materials: Learn how to adapt existing materials to encourage critical thinking and active learning.
• Encourage participation: Explore ways to get students more involved in classroom activities and discussions.
• Encourage critical thinking: Use questions and group discussions to help students explore ideas, explain their thinking, and consider different points of view.
• Explore group work: Try different pair and group activities that can support participation and interaction in mixed-ability classrooms.
• Assess critical thinking: Discover simple ways to observe and discuss students’ thinking during learning activities.

Modules

• Module 1: Critical thinking with teens and young adults. Examine what critical thinking looks like in the classroom and discuss simple ways to encourage it.
• Module 2: Adapting your syllabus. Consider how existing teaching materials can be adapted to include more activities that encourage students to think, discuss, and participate.
• Module 3: Preparing learning activities. Try out activities that encourage critical thinking, with or without technology.
• Module 4: Questions and discussion. Practise using questions and group discussions to encourage students to share ideas, explain their thinking, and consider different answers.
• Module 5: Collaborative learning. Experiment with different classroom activities that encourage students to work together, share ideas, and learn from each other.
• Module 6: Planning and reflection. Identify ways to include critical thinking activities in existing teaching plans and reflect on how students respond to them.

Course Outcomes

• Build a practical teaching toolkit: Take practical activities and approaches back to your classroom.
• Encourage different perspectives: Explore ways to help students share ideas, listen to others, and consider different points of view.
• Support critical thinking: Try practical activities that encourage students to question, discuss, and think through different ideas.
• Support active participation: Try different activities that help young people share ideas, ask questions, and think independently.
• Create a positive classroom environment: Explore ways to create a classroom where teenagers feel comfortable participating, sharing, and discussing different points of view.
• Learn from other educators: Exchange ideas and experiences with an international group of educators and explore different approaches to teaching critical thinking.

Equipment

No special equipment is required. Just bring yourself, your ideas, and a willingness to participate!

See all available Erasmus+ courses we offer.

Destination:

Corfu is a beautiful green island, which enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Corfu is a very popular tourist destination. Up until the early 20th century, it was mainly visited by the European royals and elites. It is still popular with the global elite. The island’s history is laden with battles and conquests. Corfu was long controlled by Venice and repulsed several Turkish sieges, before falling under British rule following the Napoleonic Wars. Corfu was eventually ceded by the British Empire along with the remaining islands of the United States of the Ionian Islands, and unification with modern Greece was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London. Corfu is renowned for its long tradition and rich culture which is unlike any other Greek island. In 2007, the city’s old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will also discover a compact world of beautiful beaches and stunning mountain peaks, ancient ruins and picturesque villages. There is something for everyone on the island, whether you prefer peace and quiet or a lively cosmopolitan destination.