European Commission webinar series on empowering struggling readers

This webinar series encourages teachers to strengthen and empower the comprehension skills among struggling readers for a stronger society.

Speakers:

Stefanie K. Sachse, Renate Valtin

Starting on: 05.05.2025

Starting at: 04:00 PM (Europe/Brussels)

Duration: 4 days 1 hour

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Webinar information

Description

This webinar series, combining information about innovative reading and writing techniques, encourages teachers to strengthen and empower the comprehension skills among struggling readers for a stronger society. In its second part, drawing from EU literacy experts, it will cover topics such as creating a literate environment, improving teaching quality, and increasing participation, with practical examples provided for each area.

Disclaimer: Make sure to join each webinar using the same email address you used to enrol in the webinar series on EU Academy. This is necessary for us to ensure the issuance of your certificates. Joining with a different email will prevent us from validating your participation.

The content of these webinars reflects the views only of the authors. The European Commission does not endorse any views, opinions or advice expressed by the speakers/presenters of these webinars.

Learning objectives

In this webinar series, participants will:

Enhance their comprehension skills by exploring strategies to improve comprehension skills in pupils, particularly those with additional learning needs
Delve deeper into inclusive literacy practices through a variety of practical tools presented, aiming to create inclusive and equitable literacy environments that foster motivation and participation for all learners.

Certification details

This webinar series on empowering struggling readers consists of two webinars and a mandatory activity. Please find the timeline below and try to keep the following dates in mind to regulate your learning: 

Webinar 1: Monday 5 May, 16:00 CEST

Webinar 2: Thursday 8 May, 16:00 CEST

To receive a certificate, you will need to: 

Join the two live webinars

Complete the activity 

Deadline to submit the activity: Friday 9 May, 23:59 CEST

About the speakers

Stefanie K. Sachse

Stefanie K. Sachse, Ph.D., is a research associate at the University of Cologne at the Department for Special Education, where she leads the Research Center for Literacy and Inclusion. Her work bridges the fields of literacy, inclusion, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), with a balanced focus on research and practical applications in educational settings. Recent projects have centered around literacy and inclusion in early childhood education, model classroom implementation, and a podcast on Literacy & AAC. Her work aims to improve access to high-quality literacy instruction for all learners, especially those with severe disabilities.

Renate Valtin

Renate Valtin, professor of education (emerita), Humboldt University Berlin, Germany. She holds a Ph.D. and Teacher Examination degree form Hamburg University. Renate has done extensive empirical research in literacy (dyslexia, beginning readers, struggling readers and spellers) and served in many literacy related committees, among others: Reading Expert Group of PIRLS 2006 and German team of PIRLS (2001 – 2016), EU-High Level Group on Literacy (2011-12), ELINET (European Literacy Policy Network (2014 - ). She is (co)author of didactic materials for beginning readers and struggling readers and writers. Among her accomplishments, she has received the award Reading Hall of Fame (2000)

Additional information

Language:

English
Target audience:

Teacher

Head Teacher / Principal

Teacher Educator
Target audience country:
Target audience ISCED:

Primary education (ISCED 1)

Lower secondary education (ISCED 2)

Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)