Workshops

Strengthening language, belonging, and future skills sustainably

Language fosters a sense of belonging, empowers children, and lays the foundation for successful learning. At the same time, educational institutions today need practical ways to value multilingualism and use artificial intelligence in a pedagogically meaningful way.

Through my professional development workshops and consulting services, I combine scientific insights with many years of practical experience. This provides professionals with concrete ideas that have an immediate impact on their daily work and help make educational institutions ready for the future.

Preschool Workshop on Multilingualism & Books

An in-depth workshop for daycare centers and educational institutions that want to actively highlight multilingualism and make linguistic diversity an integral part of their daily educational practice.

The focus is on how multilingual children’s books, a language-sensitive approach, and language education rooted in everyday life can work together to provide lasting support for children, families, and staff.

Ideal for
• Daycare teams
• Family centers
• Organization-wide professional development days
• Institutions focused on diversity and inclusion

What to Expect
• Expert insights on multilingualism, literacy, and language-sensitive pedagogy
• Hands-on workshop with methods you can apply immediately in your daycare routine
• A resource package with exercises, templates, and ready-to-use ideas
• Curated book recommendations on multilingualism, diversity, and literature

Your benefits
• Greater language visibility in everyday educational practice
• Confidence in professionally addressing multilingualism
• A shared approach within the team
• Materials you can implement immediately without additional preparation

“AI Literacy with Children’s Books” Project Package (Elementary School)

An innovative learning format for elementary schools that introduces children to artificial intelligence in an age-appropriate way—through stories, language, picture books, and collaborative thinking.

Children playfully discover how machines recognize patterns, make decisions, and why critical thinking is becoming increasingly important in a digital future.

Ideal for
• Elementary schools, grades 1–4
• Teachers without a technical background
• Schools interested in digital education and media literacy

What to Expect
• An introduction to child-friendly AI literacy and early media education
• A hands-on workshop with ready-to-use lesson ideas
• Resource booklet with tasks, exercises, and lesson modules
• Book recommendations on literacy, AI, and topics related to the digital future

Your benefits
• A confident introduction to AI topics without prior technical knowledge
• Combining reading promotion, critical thinking, and media literacy
• Future-oriented instruction with concrete materials
• Less preparation time thanks to content that can be used immediately

“AI in the Classroom” Workshop

A hands-on workshop for teachers who want to integrate artificial intelligence into their lessons in a meaningful, thoughtful, and pedagogically responsible way.

The focus is not only on the technology itself, but also on how AI can support teachers in planning, differentiation, and creative learning processes without replacing pedagogical quality.

Ideal for
• Teachers at all types of schools
• Educational professionals
• School development teams
• Professional development groups

What to expect
• An introduction to specific ways to use AI in the classroom
• Practical applications for lesson planning, differentiated instruction, and creating teaching materials
• Reflection on the opportunities, limitations, and risks of AI in education
• Developing a thoughtful pedagogical approach to new technologies

Your Benefits
• Greater confidence in using AI in everyday school life
• Practical applications for immediate implementation
• Time savings in lesson preparation
• Reflective and responsible use of AI

Providing Effective Support for Multilingual First-Year Students

An action-oriented program for the early school years that supports teachers and support staff in providing a safe and welcoming environment for multilingual and non-English-speaking children from the very beginning. The program focuses on common challenges in daily routines and classroom instruction and offers strategies to help children succeed linguistically, academically, and socially.

The focus is on concrete strategies for classroom instruction, everyday situations, and language support during the sensitive transition to school.

Ideal for
• Teachers in grades 1 and 2
• Elementary schools with a linguistically diverse student body
• Integration offices and continuing education providers

What to Expect
• Expert input on language-sensitive school entry and DaZ-oriented support
• Hands-on workshop with teaching strategies you can use right away
• Resource package with tools ready for immediate use
• Book recommendations for language-supportive instruction and support during the transition to school

Your benefits
• Greater confidence in working with linguistically diverse learning groups
• Structured support for everyday school life
• Concrete tools instead of additional planning work
• Better participation for multilingual children right from the start

arzu gürz abay

“Language Diversity in Dialogue” Resource Package

A ready-to-use practical resource package for organizations that want to address multilingualism with parents, families, and staff in a professional and respectful manner.

The package establishes a common ground for discussions about language, background, and educational histories—in a clear, sensitive, and practical way.

Ideal for
• Daycare centers
• Schools
• Family centers
• Educational institutions and social service organizations

Included in the package
• Editable letter to parents on the topic of multilingualism and books
• Discussion guide for teams on addressing languages of origin
• Mini-training session for internal team meetings (PDF + presentation)
• Practical templates for immediate use at the facility

Your benefits
• Professionally prepared communication materials
• Greater confidence when interacting with families
• A clear, shared approach within the team
• Materials ready for immediate use without the need for in-house creation

Year of Linguistic Diversity

A strategic annual program for institutions that do not treat language, literature, and diversity as isolated topics, but rather wish to embed them visibly and sustainably within their organization over the long term.

The Year of Linguistic Diversity supports teams over several months and fosters continuous development rather than isolated initiatives.

Ideal for
• Daycare centers
• Family centers
• Schools
• Organizations with a long-term focus on development

What to expect
• Kickoff workshop to jointly define goals and plan for the year
• Two in-depth thematic modules throughout the year
• Resource packages with activities, templates, and practical ideas
• Two accompanying Q&A sessions for reflection and further development

Your Benefits
• Sustainable integration of language education and diversity
• Long-term team development rather than one-off measures
• Visible involvement of families and children
• Continuous support throughout the entire year

arzu gürz abay

“Language & Diversity” Municipal Package

A package for cities, municipalities, and local stakeholders who want to actively promote multilingualism and diversity in education, family life, and culture. It makes it possible to reach multiple target groups simultaneously and send a clear message of inclusion, educational equity, and cultural openness.

The package ensures broad reach and brings together professionals, families, and public stakeholders in a sustainable educational program with a positive social impact.

Ideally suited for
• Youth welfare offices
• Education offices
• Integration centers
• Libraries
• Local educational networks

Possible components
• Training sessions for professionals and community leaders
• Public events or family reading sessions
• Resource and handout packages for institutions
• Strategic consulting for sustainable local implementation

Your added value
• Wide reach within the community
• Lasting impact beyond individual events
• A visible symbol of participation and educational equity
• Professional support for local educational strategies

Gallery

Impressionen

Fachtagungen