Fifth teacher training: Liverpool, Stratford and Oxford, July 2024

HUPE in Liverpool: With a little help from my friends

The Croatian Association of Teachers of English (HUPE), in collaboration with the Agency for Education and Training, organized an inspiring six-day professional development program in July, bringing 60 enthusiastic English language teachers from Croatia to the United Kingdom, under the guidance of Anita Jokic and Nino Sertic, HUPE board members. Combining professional enrichment with cultural immersion, the journey offered unforgettable experiences across some of Britain’s most iconic cities.

The journey began with a cultural and literary pilgrimage to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Walking through the timber-framed house where the Bard was born and raised, participants stepped back in time to explore the environment that shaped the world’s most celebrated playwright. The experience offered a fascinating glimpse into Elizabethan England and the life and legacy of Shakespeare.

Next was Oxford, the historic university city known for its intellectual legacy and stunning architecture. Highlights included the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and Christ Church College, whose grand dining hall inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films. The city’s cobbled lanes and dreaming spires offered deep insights into England’s academic excellence and literary tradition.

In Liverpool, the group immersed themselves in the city’s rich cultural, musical, and maritime heritage. Visits included: St. Luke’s Bombed-Out Church, a poignant memorial and symbol of resilience, left roofless after WWII bombings, the majestic Liverpool Cathedral, Britain’s largest cathedral, offering breathtaking views and spiritual grandeur, the Methodist Central Hall, highlighting the city's religious and social history, the Museum of Liverpool and the Maritime Museum, both offering vivid explorations of the city’s role in global trade, emigration, and the Titanic story, the iconic Three Graces—the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port of Liverpool Building—gracing the waterfront and symbolizing Liverpool’s commercial past.

Thanks to the support of the British Council Croatia, HUPE partnered with the Pope Francis Academy Trust, led by the welcoming and forward-thinking Jeremy Barnes. Over the course of the week, the group visited 16 different schools in and around Liverpool.

The reception was warm and deeply inspiring. Teachers were welcomed as colleagues and left as friends. Classrooms buzzed with curiosity as students took part in quizzes about Croatia, asked countless questions, and exchanged cultural insights with their Croatian visitors. The positive energy was contagious and sparked ideas for future collaborations.

Late afternoons were reserved for interactive, team-building activities, including a city-wide treasure hunt that turned Liverpool into a giant mystery board. Participants solved clues, made deductions, and eventually uncovered "the murderer" in a fun and lively challenge that encouraged critical thinking and teamwork.

The group also had great fun at the British Music Experience Museum, where they tried their hands at guitars, drums, and keyboards, learned about dance routines, and traced the evolution of British music—from the Beatles and David Bowie to Adele and Ed Sheeran.

The week concluded with a scenic boat trip on the River Mersey, as the group soaked in the views and golden light of the Liverpool sunset. It was a moment of reflection and joy, marking the end of a week filled with discovery, learning, and friendship.

This program was more than just a professional development experience—it was a celebration of language, history, music, and shared humanity. HUPE returns from the UK not only with new resources and partnerships, but also with renewed inspiration and stories to bring back to classrooms across Croatia.

Thank you to all who made this journey possible!