MESH Out and About at Lunchtime Showcase on Trauma Informed ESOL Teaching

I found it particularly helpful to hear all three presenters talk about creating a safe space for students, not just physically by thinking about things like lighting and access, but also by having clear structure to sessions, starting and finishing each session in the same way so that students know what to expect, and giving permission to opt out of difficult questions or topics. Lora uses a verbal ‘skip’ button in her lessons. Learners just say ‘skip’ if they don’t want to engage in a particular topic. 

Finally, it was helpful to hear the presenters encourage teachers to be aware of their own mental health too – they talked about vicarious trauma – and the benefits for all of breathing exercises, sensory experiences – green plants, stroking a dog or cat or as Amelia so delightfully put it – having a five minute ‘sprucy goosey’ round the house. 

By Clare Jackson and Safina Arif