The SMART Method to Teach Chess

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The ECU101 – The SMART Method to Teach Chess training course comprises two days of interactive presentations, group discussions and practical exercises. The focus of the course is on how to teach chess with the Chess in Education approach to draw parallels between the decisions made on the board and the choices one faces in everyday life. The course is suitable for teachers and tutors who want to make chess an exciting and educational experience for children.

Course Objective

Using chess as an educational tool requires a combination of skills from educators, including knowledge of the subject matter, effective communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate students to maintain their interest in the game.

Chess educators have a great responsibility when it comes to classroom teaching. Their effectiveness is the key to successfully developing students’ social, emotional and cognitive skills through the game. Besides the educational chess approach, chess educators need to be aware of various pedagogical skills and classroom management techniques to enhance their effectiveness.

This training course supports educators in improving their instructional skills, including how to structure lessons, provide feedback, and create a supportive learning environment to maintain students’ motivation. It also introduces various teaching techniques and strategies to help educators create and deliver effective lessons and achieve better learning outcomes for students.

Course content

Method of Learning

Educators will engage with the SMART Method approach through interactive presentations, group discussions and practical exercises that provide questions to reinforce key concepts and offer immediate feedback.

Learning Outcome

Educators will understand and be aware of various pedagogical techniques to teach chess for educational purposes. They will be able to apply the knowledge gained from the training course to create and deliver effective strategies for their teaching practice to enhance children’s 21st-century skills. 

Course Info:

Resources:

The Training Cours eBook with downloadable materials is provided to attendees which covers all the theory and practice introduced in the training course.

ECU School Chess Teacher Title

The ECU School Chess Teacher Certificate is available to those who complete the course and pass an online test taken at the end of the course. The course qualifies for Continuing Professional Development and its Certificate is recognised across Europe by virtue of being accredited by the European Chess Union. The Certificate ensures that the Title holder has the adequate knowledge and skills needed to teach chess for educational purposes in the classroom.

A total number of 79 ECU101 training courses have been delivered so far (November 2024) and more than 1.207 participants have successfully graduated and acquired the ECU School Chess Teacher title, certificated by the European Chess Union.

Until Covid came 36 training courses were held in person in 12 different countries. Since 2020 the courses have gone online but there is an increasing need for in-person training courses again.

The course is delivered by ChessPlus, a contracted partner to ECU.

Are you an individual, or part of a chess federation, organization, or school, looking to support more tutors and educators in using chess as an effective educational tool? Get in touch!

Please contact info.edu@europechess.org for more information.

See upcoming training courses here