The Humans in the Room 2026

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                                                                                    The Humans in the Room: A course for Teachers‍

                                                                             Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple, North Devon and in the field

                                                                                                                  2nd - 9th August 2026

            £595 including accommodation and travel from and to Heathrow Airport (to Victoria Station, London, also possible)

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We are excited to invite you to our next teacher course “The Humans in the Room”, taking place from 2–9 August 2026 in Devon. This well-established course, led for many years by the outstanding teacher trainer Fiona Mauchline, has inspired teachers from across Europe with its engaging and practical approach. In 2026, we are delighted to welcome Teresa Bestwick for the first time as part of the training team, bringing fresh insights and new perspectives alongside Fiona’s expertise. This course is designed to help teachers explore the human side of the classroom, strengthen communication, and develop creative strategies that make learning more meaningful and impactful. At SOL, our teacher courses are more than training – they are opportunities for professional growth, cultural exchange, and being part of a supportive international community.

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Fiona Mauchline

After 28 years in Spain, Fiona now lives in Oxford, working as a materials writer,

teacher trainer, and speaker. Her writing is mainly for secondary, adults,

or Graded Readers, but she also writes teacher development materials and short courses.

She is co-editor of the IATEFL TDSIG e-bulletin and one of the two founders of EVE: Equal

Voices in ELT.

A course in language teaching ideas and techniques, focusing particularly on sharing, interaction, collaboration, creativity, student-led and learner-centred techniques, and, above all, vocabulary development.

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Teresa Bestwick

Teresa is a teacher, trainer and ELT author based in Spain. She is a huge fan of teacher development and runs an online ELT community called the TEFL Development Hub.

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 About the programme:

This dynamic course for teachers of all ages is a course of two halves. In one half, we’ll focus on what really matters in the classroom: the people and the connection between them. We’ll look at how happy, engaged teachers can create an effective learning environment for happy, productive students and discuss how resources, such as the physical space and digital tools, can play a supportive role.

In the other half, we’ll be out and about, visiting some of the most beautiful places in North Devon, making friends and memories, reflecting on the day’s learning and sharing truly motivating activities for the human-focussed classroom.

Key themes

• making learning memorable

• teacher and student well-being

• using AI to support busy teachers

• reflection as a tool for development

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                                      To register for our wonderful course in Devon, please scan the QR code and fill in the form.