Annita Manetaki is a graduate of University of Athens, and academic director of Manetaki Language School, Vari, Attica, Greece

Annita Manetaki &
Konstantina Korma

Saturday 11:15-12:00

Room 1

“Mobile Phones and ELT. How Compatible Can They Be?”

The profound changes in an ever changing world offer amazing opportunities to rethink and redesign our teaching methods by incorporating devices such as mobile phones in ELT and make our lessons more engaging. In my workshop I will show how a potential distraction can turn into a great educational tool.

Keywords: Learning Technologies

Konstantina Korma hold a Bachelor on Marketing, she has a CELTA, and she is a teacher at Manetaki Language School, Vari, Attica, Greece

Valentina Mammi is a certified EFL teacher trained in Special Education and experience at state schools and KEDASY.

Valentina Mammi &
Anna Petala

Saturday 11:15-12:00

Room 3

“Not All Heroes Wear Capes”

Not all heroes wear capes? And what do they wear? Do you ever wonder if they have any special powers? And how can a workshop on heroes and filmmaking with students engage and empower both students and teachers? If you are a reflective teacher, join us to find out!

Keywords: Drama & Literature, Learning Technologies, Specific Learning Differences, Teacher Development and Research, All levels

Anna Petala is a certified EFL teacher, owner and director of studies at Europoint FLS and specializes in SpLD/Dyslexia.

Konstantinos Papamitrou is an Academic Associate, LanguageCert, Athens, Greece

Konstantinos Papamitrou

Saturday 11:15-12:00

Room 4

“Learning Plateau; Identifying & Addressing the Pause in Language Learning.”

The presentation aims to identify the learning plateau as an issue that emerges in language learning and affects the overall students’ progress. It also provides some strategies that will help both teachers and learners to successfully address it.

Keywords:Teacher Development and Research

Anna Tsigkouli

Saturday 11:15-12:00

Room 5

“Adopting a Blended Learning Approach in a Class of Teenage EFL Learners.”

The presentation will be about an action research study I conducted almost two years ago in a class of mine at a private language school, in order to investigate the effectiveness of a blended learning approach we adopted for only one unit of the school year’s materials. I will focus on the Edtools I used, the activities I designed and the students’ genuine reaction and engagement to this completely new for them way of learning.

Keywords:Learning Technologies, Online Teaching

Anna Tsigkouli is and EFL teacher. She hold a Bsc, MA and Celta. She is based in Athens, Greece and is currently working in public pre-school education.

Laura McWilliams is the Head of  Young Learners, British Council Egypt, Jordan and Sudan

Laura McWilliams

Saturday 12:15-13:00

Room 2

“Teens: From Self-Conscious to Self-Confident Through Drama”

Teenagers are self-conscious, always embarrassed, acutely aware of what others think of them – and often reluctant to participate in class as a result. In this highly active, practical workshop, participants experience a range of activities for teen classes that help to lower inhibitions, develop confidence, and get them speaking out!

Keywords: Drama & Literature, Young Learners

Konstantina Kalyva-Anastasiou holds an MA in TEFL from the Hellenic Open University, and she is an English Teacher

Konstantina Kalyva-Anastasiou
&
Ruby Panagiotis Polygenis

Saturday 12:15-13:00

Room 3

“Teaching For a Better World. Sustainable Development Goals in ELT”

Working with the UN Sustainable Development Goals brings real world content and issues into the classroom. How about ELT? In this practical workshop, teachers will be working on activities that make language learning relevant and meaningful and consequently lead students to finding world-changing solutions starting with the future of the world in their classroom today.

Keywords: Global Issues

Ruby Panagiotis Polygenis holds an MΑ in TEYL. He is a Director of studies at  Faros Language School, Athens, Greece

Effie Kyrikakis holds a MSc in Applied Psychology, she is an Educator, a Teacher Thriving Coach/Mentor, and founder of the NeuroLearningPower®, Athens

Effie Kyrikakis

Saturday 12:15-13:00

Room 4

“Success and Wellbeing in Education, Have We Been Carrying the Wrong Bag?”

Female educators comprise a significant majority of the educator population and have been under extreme pressure to cope with increasing stress while juggling the bulky bag of student success with their multiple leadership roles both at home and at the workplace. How does educator well-being affect students? What new skills are required to empower ourselves and our students to thrive?

Keywords: Teacher Development and Research

Georgios Kormpas

Saturday 12:15-13:00

Room 5

“Reflective Teachers – Empowered Students a Tale to Tell”

Teaching is a noble profession, and it helps us grow as individuals and professionals. After almost 20 years of teaching EFL students, I have come to realize that empowering students is a very powerful aspect of teaching. This presentation will highlight successful reflective teacher practices and student empowerment.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Teacher Development and Research

Georgios Kormpas is currently the Director for the Center for Executive Education at Al Yamamah University

Dimitris Primalis (M.A. in Education) is a Primary & Kindergarten EFL coordinator, MIE Fellow, Doukas School, Athens, Greece

Dimitris Primalis

Saturday 15:05-15:50

Room 1

“Practical Activities to Empower Learners”

More and more teachers complain about learner indifference and unwillingness to engage in class. Can learner empowerment make a difference in class and boost learning? Can such activities be seamlessly incorporated into the syllabus? A workshop focusing on the “what”, “how”, and “why” questions about learner empowerment.

Keywords: Learning Technologies, Young Learners, Instructional Design

Zafi Mandali

Saturday 15:05-15:50

Room 2

“Storytelling Activities on Display”

This workshop will involve teachers in story telling activities which provide elements of suspense, surprise, attention and memory challenges along with humor and decision making. The mental gatekeepers which filter our spontaneity will be disarmed to leave space for relaxed interaction, expression and creative spontaneity

Keywords: Drama & Literature, Teaching practices

Zafi Mandali is a Director of studies, she hold a BA in English Literature, and an M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Her soft point is storytelling.

Julia Aliverti holds a MEd, she is an EFL Teacher/Teacher Educator, Preveza, Greece

Julia Aliverti
&
Vicky Chionopoulou

Saturday 15:05-15:50

Room 3

“Teachers in Distress? Keep Calm and Trust Culture”

The status of English as a global phenomenon has established the need for ELT pedagogies with an intercultural orientation. The workshop demonstrates how this can be interpreted in practical terms and implemented in classroom contexts. Attendees are involved in the co-construction of a class project with hands-on tasks and activities, joining both the digital and non-digital worlds in experiential learning.

Keywords:Young Learners

Vicky Chionopoulou is an ELT Teacher, Athens, Greece

Tanya Livarda (EFL teacher, teacher trainer, oral examiner), Thessaloniki, Greece

Tanya Livarda

Saturday 15:05-15:50

Room 4

“So…Do You Think You Can Mentor?”

Of course you can, or not? The purpose of this interactive talk is to provide a basic understanding of what mentoring in education is and what the characteristics of highly effective mentors are by practicing them.

Keywords: Adult Learners, School Management, Teacher Development and Research

Dr Nur Yigitoglu Aptoula

Saturday 15:05-15:50

Room 5

“Promoting Reflection on Feedback Sessions in Language Teacher Development”

This presentation examines the role of reflection on feedback sessions in language teacher development. The presentation will inform undergraduate level programs and in-service teacher training programs across EFL contexts by providing pedagogical suggestions for material developers and curriculum designers.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Teacher Development and Research

Dr Nur Yigitoglu Aptoula is an Associate Professor, Bogazici University, Turkey

Ioulianos Dimitrokallis is a language school owner, teacher trainer, Korydallos, Greece

Ioulianos Dimitrokalis

Saturday 17:15-18:00

Room 1

“The Escape Art in ELT: Independent and Motivated Learners – Online Escape Rooms”

Playing escape rooms is a wondrous form of entertainment. Children, teens and adults love playing the commercial version, but can we convert it to educational? Guess what, it can be an empowering and authentic teaching practice, method and tool when it comes to ELT. In this workshop, we’ll go through the process of creating online educational escape rooms step-by-step as well as playing them.

Keywords: Learning Technologies

Eliza Raduca

Saturday 17:15-18:00

Room 2

“Storytelling Plugged and Unplugged”

The aim of this workshop is to show ways to integrate storytelling into our classroom activities for different levels and age groups. In this workshop we will try to use together various methods and online tools for creating classical and digital stories to help teach skills and engage learners.

Keywords: Drama & Literature, Learning Technologies, Online Teaching, Young Learners, Very Young Learners

Eliza Raduca is a CELTA certified teacher, speaker – Lexis, Romania and Tina Panagiotopoulous in Schimatari, Greece.

Sophia Iliopoulou, EFL Instructor, BA, Dip.TESOL, level 7 Dip.SpLDS, MA TESOL (in progress), Patras, Greece

Sophia Iliopoulou

Saturday 17:15-18:00

Room 3

“Promoting Neurogenesis in EFL Classroom”

The presentation will focus on Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis as well as how we can promote them in our classes.

Keywords: Neurogenesis, Adult learners

Maria - Araxi Sachpazian

Saturday 17:15-18:00

Room 4

“The Future of EFL Classroom: How Reflective Practitioners Empower Learners”

What will learning look like in the next few decades? How will these changes impact teacher education and our perceptions of what ‘’learning’ and ‘’teaching’’ are? What are the new roles of teachers as reflective practitioners and how will learners become self-regulated? If you want answers, come to the session!

Keywords: Online Teaching, School Management, Teacher Development and Research, The future of learning

Maria – Araxi Sachpazian

Roula Mizeraki, MA, is a TEFL practitioner, currently teaching EAP & General English classes.

Ms Roula Mizeraki

Saturday 17:15-18:00

Room 5

“Giving Effective Feedback: Best Practices for the ELT Practitioner”

ELT practitioners very often feel exasperated when their students do not act upon the feedback they have been offered. Is it always the students’ fault? This talk will offer some practical ideas on how to make your feedback worth the effort you put into preparing it, while helping your students make the most of it

Keywords: Teaching all levels & ages

Christos Sotiropoulos

Saturday 18:15-19:00

Room 1

“TikTok Lesson Ideas For Teachers”

TikTok! Another social network that keeps today’s students even more glued to their smartphones than ever before. Its short, entertaining videos offer interesting possibilities for adding interactivity, creativity, and fun to lessons. Join me and discover how you can use Tik Tok in your classroom.

Keywords:Adult Learners, Learning Technologies, Online Teaching, Teacher Development and Research, Young Learners

Christos Sotiropoulos  is a teacher, TESOL/PALSO, Chania, Greece

Zefy Antoniadou is a Teacher, British Council, Athens, Greece

Zefy Antoniadou
&
Theodore Belefas

Saturday 18:15-19:00

Room 2

“Story-telling Is an Art Not an Activity”

Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of teaching. Think about all of the times you’ve had to tell a story to help relate a concept or help students better understand a topic. Storytelling is a teaching strategy that you already use, and you may not even realize it.

Keywords:Young Learners, Very Young Learners

Theodore Belefas is a Teacher, British Council, Athens, Greece

Anastasia Georgountzou (PhD, UCL) teaches at the English Department, at EKPA and in the M.Ed at the HOU

Dr. Anastasia Georgountzou
&
Natasha Tsantila

Saturday 18:15-19:00

Room 3

“Promoting Young Learners’ Pronunciation Skills in Multicultural Classes”

Speaking is frequently neglected in EFL classrooms and when taught, learners usually engage in a mechanical reproduction of non-authentic spoken patterns. In this presentation, we present fluency-oriented and fully contextualized pronunciation tasks through which learners can develop strategies that could develop them into effectively competent communicators in multicultural/multilingual settings.

Keywords: Young Learners

Natasha Tsantila (M.A., Reading) teaches Academic writing and Linguistics at Deree-the American College of Greece.

Daniel Andrzejewski is a full-time Lecturer, Language Center, Kwansei Gakuin University, Nishinomiya Japan

Daniel Andrzejewski

Saturday 18:15-19:00

Room 4

“Encouraging Empathy and Dialogue through Journal Exchange”

In order to encourage and practice empathic connections and intercultural communication, the presenter will discuss a form of dialogue journal writing implemented in university classes in Japan. The presenter will explain how to elicit empathic thinking, share life experiences, and create a dialogue to foster understanding with students.

Keywords: Adult Learners

Katerina Mantadaki

Saturday 18:15-19:00

Room 5

“Assessing Writing at CEFR B2 & C2 Levels”

What is the difference between assessment and grading, when it comes to writing? While grading can measure performance, it is not an accurate indicator of learning. Assessment and feedback go beyond grading, looking at patterns of student learning and using data to help students learn effectively, improving their overall performance.

Keywords: Assessment, Writing

Katerina Mantadaki, MSc – English Teacher, Senior ELT Educational Consultant at Express Publishing

Natassa Manitsa is an English Teacher, Trainer, Communication Specialist, Athens, Greece

Natassa Manitsa

Sunday 11:15-12:00

Room 1

“The “Not Yet Mindset” in the ELT Classroom”

A simple way to start changing to a growth mindset, is by the use of a little word, yet.
In essence, the word means a realisation that some things are worth waiting for, and some others take work. It’s not always easy, but the power of this small word allows for success. How about exloring our failures, our not yets, through language activities that aim for a better understanding and not a better score?

Keywords: Teacher Development and Research

Vasiliki Lismani

Sunday 11:15-12:00

Room 2

“Engaging SpLD Students: The Role of the Pre-teaching Activities”

Due to prior learning experiences and certain challenges, students with Specific Learning Difficulties/Differences (SpLDs) may lack motivation and engagement. The aim of this presentation is to show how the pre-teaching stage of every lesson can support these students, not only boosting their engagement but also facilitating the whole learning process.

Keywords: Specific Learning Differences

Vasiliki Lismani is an EFL Teacher, Piraeus, Greece

Dimitra Stamatopoulou has been an EFL teacher since 1998. She has a Degree in English Language and Literature, and a Master’s in Teaching Very Young Learners.

Dimitra Stamatopoulou

Sunday 11:15-12:00

Room 3

“Puppets as the Teacher’s Helping Hand with Very Young Learners”

This presentation reviews the findings of a survey conducted with very young learners (VYLs) taught with the aid of puppets. It will describe how puppets may be incorporated in the English lesson combined with activities relevant to the learners’ age, needs, learning style and interests to promote their oracy skills.

Keywords: Very Young Learners

Melpomeni Dodoura

Sunday 11:15-12:00

Room 5

“Empowered Teachers Make Empowered Learners”

The presentation explores issues which might act as counter-motivating for the teaching profession in the Greek reality. We will listen to teachers sharing their views and through open discussion as well as with literature support, suggestions and ideas will be introduced as to how we can foster teacher empowerment leading to our learners’ empowerment.

Keywords: School Management, Teacher Development and Research

Melpomeni Dodoura is a Teacher/Academic and Administrative Coordinator at Grapsas Language Schools (Halandri), MA TESOL

Suzanne Antonaros

Suzanne Antonaros

Sunday 12:15-13:00

Room 1

“Notes to Ourselves:  Reflective Practitioners, Empowered Learners”

The practice of reflective journal writing, whether performed on a regular basis or infrequently, can boost self-awareness and feed self-knowledge.  Explore the crafted question in reflective writing for both professional self-development and creative language teaching by joining this workshop.   

Keywords: self-awareness, self-knowledge, reflective writing

Aphrodite Gkiouri

Sunday 12:15-13:00

Room 3

“Teaching Vocabulary. Back to Basics With a Game of HOPSCOTCH”

This presentation will demonstrate how the game of HOPSCOTCH can help motivate students and make the lesson enjoyable when learning new vocabulary, while moving toward a more student-centred mode of learning.

Keywords: Online Teaching, Young Learners

Aphrodite Gkiouri

Tracy Huntingford is an Editorial Manager, Burlington Books, Greece

Tracy Huntingford

Sunday 12:15-13:00

Room 4

“Spilling the Tea With Our Students. Investigating ‘New’ Words in the Classroom.”

New words and usages are entering English all the time. How can teachers and materials writers keep up with language change? In this session, I’ll reflect on some ‘new entries’ and consider how investigating new vocabulary in the classroom can empower students, foster critical thinking and encourage meaningful communication.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Teacher Development and Research, Teaching Teenagers, Materials Writing

Dr Dimitris Maroulis

Sunday 12:15-13:00

Room 5

“Reflection Strategies for EFL Teachers and Learners”

The aim of this talk is to present easy-to-follow strategies with which teachers and learners get engaged in systematic and effective reflection practice. The benefits and effects of the use of reflective practice for teachers and learners are discussed as well.

Keywords: Teacher Development and Research

Dimitris Maroulis is a Teacher of English, a Staffordshire University Module Leader and Instructor, as well as Director of Studies

Despina Mallidou is an English Language Teacher, School Owner and Trainer and Positive Psychology Counselor.

Despina Mallidou

Sunday 16:45-17:30

Room 1

“From The 21st Century Teacher to A Teaching Happiness Educator”

“Happiness should be the end goal of education” Aristotle
The aim of the workshop is to attempt to redefine the role of the educators in the post covid era, introducing basic principles of wellbeing and positive psychology and the way these can be implemented in the classroom. Apart from the theory, attendees will be provided with practical wellbeing ideas and tasks to use while teaching a language. Happy School-Happy Teachers-Happy students

Keywords: Adult Learners, Online Teaching, Teacher Development and Research, Young Learners

Dimitra Karala

Sunday 16:45-17:30

Room 2

“Onboarding Parents”

Many parents want to help their children with their English but are not sure what they can do to help. In this talk we will look at ways of engaging parents and present some practical techniques for you to pass on to the parents of your young learners.

Keywords: School Management, Young Learners, Very Young Learners

Dimitra Karala is a Teacher, British Council, Athens, Greece

Matthew Guiffre is an ESL Teacher/NGO Coordinator, The American College of Greece, New York, USA

Matthew Guiffré

Sunday 16:45-17:30

Room 3

“Transforming Students With Refugee Backgrounds into Empowered Teachers”

Individuals with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds often struggle to integrate into European society due to language barriers. This presentation highlights a new project aimed at getting former educators, who have fled their countries, back into the classroom and teaching English to individuals with whom they share a mother tongue.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Learning Technologies, Online Teaching, Teacher Development and Research

Catherine Cheetham is an Assistant Professor at Tokai University in Japan.

Catherine Cheetham
&
Melody Elliott

Sunday 16:45-17:30

Room 4

“Graded Readers: Powerful Tools for More Than Just Extensive Reading”

A content-based approach to language learning is often seen as an ideal means of empowerment. However, for learners with limited language skills, understanding challenging content poses significant obstacles. One overlooked solution is graded readers. This talk will give practical tips for combining the benefits of graded readers with content-based instruction.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Drama & Literature, Extensive Reading

Melody Elliott is a Professor at Tokai University in Japan.

Lucilla Lopriore, is a Senior, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy

Dr Lucilla Lopriore

Sunday 16:45-17:30

Room 5

“Reflective Practice in CLIL Teacher Education Courses: Challenges and Responses “

CLIL, introduced in the Italian high school curriculum, requires subject teachers to teach content through a foreign language, mostly English, and to attend preliminary methodology courses. This presentation is meant to introduce and discuss the intrinsic effectiveness and value of CLIL and of the reflective approaches adopted in these courses.

Keywords: Teacher Development and Research, CLIL

Harissia Bikiropoulou

Sunday 17:45-18:30

Room 1

“Emotional Intelligence  and Reflective Practitioners”

Emotional Intelligence is the centre of the teaching procedure. The more we understand our emotional state and become familiar with it, the better practitioners we become. Self awareness is key to successful teaching and challenges a teacher has to face. How much do we know about emotional intelligence? What is the role of emotional intelligence in the teaching procedure? How can a teachers EI affect learners?

Keywords: Teacher Development and Research

Harissia Bikiropoulou is a General English and Business English Trainer. Adult Education-Emotional Intelligence. Education Management.

Liana Kyriakea holds a BA in Classics and an MA in TESOL. She teaches English for Academic Purposes at Deree College.

Liana Kyriakea
&
Theodora Paraskeva

Sunday 17:45-18:30

Room 2

“Walking a Mile in Students’ Shoes”

The role of EFL teachers has shifted from rigid and authoritarian to a more ‘democratic’ one, employing class practices where students are involved by making decisions in the learning process. This presentation aims to shed light on how learners’ peer- feedback, reflection journals, and questionnaires lead to ‘good teacher-ness’.

Keywords: Peer feedback, reflective journals, empathy, questionnaires, EFL teachers, critical reflection, voice, empower.

Theodora Paraskeva holds a BA in Italian Language and Literature, and an MA in TESOL. She is an EAP Instructor at Deree.

Heather Woodward is a lecturer at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan.

Heather Woodward
&
Josh Rappeneker

Sunday 17:45-18:30

Room 3

“A Reflective Journey to Empower Learners’ Spoken Fluency”

Spoken fluency, the speed and ease of speech, has been cited by language learners as one of the most sought-after skills. In this talk, Heather and Josh discuss spoken fluency research findings and different ways practitioners can provide feedback.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Learning Technologies, Teacher Development and Research, Young Learners, Assessment

Josh Rappeneker is a lecturer at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan.

Lilika Couri is an ESP Teacher, Teacher Educator, Co-Director, EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING CONCEPTS, Athens, Greece

Lilika Couri

Sunday 17:45-18:30

Room 5

“Revisiting Paths Well-Trodden: The Trainer Becoming A Teacher Again”

After years of being a trainer and educational consultant of teachers, school managers and administrative staff, I returned to being a teacher of ESL adult learners. The ‘veteran’ changed roles and became a ‘born again’ teacher. Our discussion-demonstration will focus on the lessons learned and the techniques used.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Teacher Development and Research

Michael Dirhalidis

Sunday 18:45-19:30

Room 1

“Second Soul: Learning a Second Language at a Very Early Age”

The topic of the presentation is the introduction of a fully English environment in pre-school or even nursery school classrooms. The talk is based on the findings and conclusions of “Second Soul” Erasmus+ Project, in which our school participated and tested various methodologies towards the promotion of Bilingualism in very early ages.

Keywords: Very Young Learners

Michael Dirhalidis is the Head of Foreign Languages Dpt. – Platon Schools – Katerini, Pieria, Greece

Cliff Parry is a Teaching Centre Operations Manager, British Council, Greece

Cliff Parry

Sunday 18:45-19:30

Room 2

“Reflecting on Mental Health in the Workplace “

Mental health in the workplace is top of mind for everyone these days. While our understanding of mental health at work is changing, and how widespread poor mental health is, it’s worth taking a look at the basics.

Keywords: School Management

Angeliki Panousi

Sunday 18:45-19:30

Room 3

“Designing a Project-based Lesson with the Use of a WebQuest”

In this presentation there is an attempt to show a project for English language learning by using a WebQuest. The adoption of a project- learning approach combined with the appropriate technology tools can definitely invigorate the learning environment by allowing for the students’ exploration, investigation and understanding of their world (Abbit & Ophus, 2008).

Keywords: Learning Technologies

Aggeliki Panousi is an EFL teacher with a M.Ed. in TEFIL. She works at Themistoklis private school located in Piraeus.

Bobby Zlatkov is an academic manager, teacher, teacher trainer. CELTA, DELTA, IH Diploma Academic Management, BA Greek Philology

Bobby Zlatkov
&
Theodora Papapanagiotou

Sunday 18:45-19:30

Room 4

“Speak Off the World”

At lower-level classes, teachers often struggle to avoid the use of L1 and to get their students to speak despite their limited range of grammar and vocabulary. There are, however, some simple tricks for using English more in class at the expense of L1.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Online Teaching

Theodora Papapanagiotou is a teacher, translator and teacher trainer.

Dr. Styliani Giorgou Tzampazi, is an EAP Lecturer, University of Bedfordshire Vicarage St, Luton, LU1 3JU, UK

Dr Stella Giorgou Tzampazi

Sunday 18:45-19:30

Room 5

“Teaching Self-Regulated Learning Strategies to ESL Students in HE”

A crucial aspect of teaching that L2 learners might miss is how to learn. It is possible, however, to improve the academic performance of L2 learners when appropriate guidance is provided to them using the Independent Learning Plan and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills form fostering their metacognitive skills.

Keywords: Adult Learners, Teacher Development and Research