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23rd Annual TESOL Greece-Athens College Event
9 February @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
23rd Annual TESOL Greece – Athens College Event


"Fostering Engagement through Progressive Instructional Strategies"

09:30 - 09:40
Welcome - Opening Remarks
Plenary Speaker:
Dr. Evangelia Karagianni

9:40-10:25
Athens College Theater
“Taming Task Overload: Tips for Teachers and Tactics for Learners“
Summary: This presentation addresses the growing challenge of task overload for both teachers and learners in today’s educational environment. Educators will gain practical tips for streamlining lesson planning, prioritizing high-impact activities, and implementing efficient workflows to reduce stress and enhance student engagement. Learners will benefit from strategies like task chunking, single-tasking, and goal-setting to improve focus and manage cognitive load. By balancing productivity with purposeful learning, this talk aims to empower attendees to transform overwhelm into opportunity, fostering a classroom environment that supports sustainable, effective learning.
Evangelia Karagianni holds a Ph.D. in Teacher Development and an M. Ed. in TEFL. She has taught English in state Primary Schools for more than 25 years and she is currently serving as an ELT Education Advisor in East Attica. She also teaches the module of Educational Technology at the Hellenic Open University Master’s programme. She is an IKY and a Fulbright scholar.
Speakers
Maria Diavati
10:30-11:00
Athens College Theater
“Metamorphosis: Evolving CLIL for Metaskill Mastery“
Summary: This 40-minute workshop explores how Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) can foster metaskills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Participants will discover practical examples and strategies for implementing CLIL effectively, alongside resources like CLIL Portfolios to enhance metaskill development in their curricula for 21st-century learners.

Maria Diavati has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master’s degree in TESOL. She is certified in both Cert-TESOL and DipTESOL and has recently obtained her MBA in Educational Leadership from the University of Cumbria. Maria serves as an author, material developer, teacher trainer, and academic coordinator at two Foreign Language Schools in Athens. Her research primarily centers on CLIL and her findings have been published.
Mary Efthymiou
Guest Speaker:
Elena Marinopoulou
11:00-11:30
Athens College Theater
“Redefining Progress: The Transformative Power of Going Back to Basics“
Summary: In a world where technology challenges traditional learning, how can we reignite students’ love for reading and critical thinking? This session explores how literature can engage young learners in meaningful ways. Through the lens of a 6th-grade novel study guide, discover how engaging texts can inspire curiosity and deepen understanding, proving that progressive education isn’t limited to technology but thrives through creativity and connection.

Mary Efthymiou has been an English teacher for the past 28 years, 19 of which at Athens College. Before that, she had dipped her toesin different trades, such as concert, documentary and TV production, graphi design, and the theater. This experience, along with her background in Media Studies, have provided her with an array of teaching tools that render her school life quite stimulating, albeit a tad hectic!

Natassa Manitsa (BA, MSc, MA, DipTrans) is an English educator and marketing specialist with expertise in English, Translation, School Psychology, Philosophy & Arts, and Communication & Marketing. Founder of EduMarketing Agency and co-founder of EdSkills Academy, she co-authored two educational books, contributing significantly to academic excellence.
Natasa Manitsa
11:30-12:00
Athens College Theater
“Mindset Reset: Reimagining Education & Assessment with Art, SEL, and Philosophy“
Summary: Based on research conducted for the Hellenic Open University, this presentation explores how incorporating philosophical methods and a wide range of artistic expressions—from poetry to cinema—alongside Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) can bring transformative changes to education. Through engaging examples, educators will discover activities that foster creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, promoting holistic development, deeper engagement, and personal growth beyond traditional educational & assessment approaches.
12:00 - 12:15
COFFEE BREAK
Marina Seitanidis
12:15-12:45
Athens College Theater
“A High School English Teacher’s Guide to Surviving AI“
Summary: This presentation will discuss the challenges involved in teaching the responsible use of AI to high school students. Is AI used in schools around the world currently? What do educators know about
AI? What questions do students have? What are the benefits and limitations of AI? How can educators help students use AI correctly? Research, discussions with colleagues, and a series of real classroom
lessons provide some insight into the challenges of AI in education.

Marina Seitanidis holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the National Kapodistrian University
of Athens and an MA in Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland. With 13
years of experience teaching English as a second language at Athens College High School, she focuses on
enhancing her students’ language, collaboration, digital literacy and critical thinking skills through a diverse range of literature, including both fiction and non-fiction texts. She is particularly interested in strategies that encourage self-directed learning, such as goal-setting, self-assessment, and fostering a growth mindset.

Alexandra Thanou is an experienced English language educator with a passion for creating engaging,
student-centered learning environments. With a focus on interactive lesson design and meaningful classroom engagement, she explores practical, adaptable strategies that not only enhance students’ focus and retention but also streamline teaching, making lesson delivery more effective and rewarding. Drawing on real classroom experience, this session rethinks engagement and explores ways to transform receptive skills lessons into high-impact, manageable learning experiences.
Alexandra Thanou
12:45-13:15
Athens College Theater
“Beyond the Textbook: Engaging 21st-Century Learners Through Multitasking and Innovation”
Summary: How do we keep students engaged in an era of constant distractions? This session explores practical ways to transform receptive skills lessons into interactive, dynamic experiences that sustain
focus and deepen learning. Through hands-on participation and collaboration, we will experiment with strategies that encourage active engagement, strengthen retention, and enhance the learning process in
ways that go beyond traditional approaches, making lessons more impactful and responsive to the needs of today’s learners.

Maria Tanti holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an MSc in Information and Library Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. She has also acquired an MA in Educational Leadership from the Institute of Education, University College London. She has been working as a school librarian at the Athens-Psychico College
library since 2007.
Alexandra Thanou
13:15-13:45
Athens College Theater
“Empowering Students: Navigating Fake News
and Building Media Literacy Skills”
Summary: This presentation provides an overview of the Grade 7 library orientation program, focusing on developing essential media literacy skills and addressing the challenges of fake news. It highlights the critical importance of teaching students to evaluate information, identify credible sources, and recognize
misinformation. By fostering collaboration between teachers and the library, the program aims to equip students with the tools needed for thoughtful and informed engagement in today’s information landscape as well as academic success.

Mia Tierney holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. She is currently a Fulbright Fellow to Greece, working as an English Teaching Assistant in the Athens-Psychico College Library. Before the fellowship, Mia worked as a Paraeducator in Beaverton, Oregon, helping students develop their literacy and math skills. She also worked as a circulation desk assistant in the Clark Library at the University of Portland.
Nick Dellas
13:45-14:15
Athens College Theater
“Supporting Teachers in Multitasking Environments: Promoting Well-Being, Productivity, and
Professional Growth”
Summary: Discover how to thrive as an educator in today’s demanding multitasking environment! This session dives into practical strategies for fostering teacher well-being, boosting productivity, and encouraging professional growth. With insights from both teaching and leadership perspectives, you’ll gain actionable tools to create fulfilling, balanced, and supportive workspaces for educators at every level.

Nick Dellas is the founder and owner of CHRONOS, a foreign language school focused on delivering high-quality language education. Together with a team of 40 skilled teachers, Nick fosters a vibrant, interactive environment where students not only enhance their language proficiency but also develop essential soft skills, preparing them for real-world communication and success.
14:15 - 15:30
LUNCH & TESOL GREECE PITTA CUTTING
Details
- Date:
- 9 February
- Time:
-
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Venue
- Athens College Theatre
-
15 Stefanou Delta St. Psychiko
Athens, 154 52 + Google Map