Sarah Hillyard

In the English classroom, children need more than vocabulary and grammar to thrive - they need to feel seen, heard, and valued. Come and meet “Empathy” as we explore how fostering respect and emotional security helps young learners feel confident and safe as they learn English. You’ll take away practical ideas to include every child and create an emotionally safe space and a respectful learning environment where all learners feel welcome.

Michael Rowley

This presentation, "Sharing Together in a World we Build," introduces a learner-centric approach to teaching. The foundation of this method is Stephen Krashen’s Input Hypothesis, also known as the i+1 method.

This approach focuses on providing comprehensible input that is slightly beyond the learner's current level, representing a "sweet spot" between what a student knows and what is slightly beyond their comfort zone. This method is effective because it is more engaging and allows for self-reflection and self-learning.

The presentation also covers several ways to make book material more engaging and relevant to students' lives. Strategies include using pre-task activities, setting time limits, and incorporating debates and dialogues.

The importance of self-reflection and self-learning is emphasized through the use of speaking and writing planners. The presentation also promotes critical thinking by requiring students to make choices, consider consequences, and evaluate risks. This is achieved through activities like case studies, decision-making games, and role-playing scenarios. The material is designed with a clear, easy-to-follow structure that includes a carefully graded approach and a strong focus on values.

Kateryna Protsenko

AI has already penetrated our daily lives, from proofreading texts to creating engaging classroom activities and planning lessons - and it’s quickly becoming a tool that teachers and learners use every day. In this session, we’ll explore how AI can support your teaching and how to create custom GPTs that act as personal assistants for everyday routines and lesson preparation. You’ll see real examples of custom GPTs in action, follow a simple step-by-step guide to build your own (no coding skills required!), and learn strategies to avoid common AI pitfalls. Together, we’ll also reflect on key ethical considerations to ensure AI becomes a reliable partner for both teachers and learners.