us English

Welcome to the home of the Global Teachers’ Festival 2024, and my goodness, is this year’s line-up something to get excited about!

With 20 unique talks and 22 international speakers, you can expect talks on subjects like how second languages shape how we think, the future of grammar instruction, hands-on with ChatGPT, involving parents, tackling bullying, igniting communicative practice, empowering emotional expression, and loads and loads more! Join us from February 19th to 1st March 2024 for the ELT teacher development event of the year.

 

World-class Speakers

Some of the most impactful education professionals from around the world.

Flexible Programme

All sessions run 3 times per day so you can see the sessions that are important to you.

Free Resources

A huge range of free teaching resources are offered to all those who register.

For All Teachers

No matter your experience, there is something for every teacher, just take a look at the programme!

Register now

Festival Programme

Download festival programme PDF

Week One

  • Brave Steps, Bright Horizons: Teacher Strategies for Supporting Resilience in English Language Learners

    (For teachers of all ages)

    Students will, inevitably, face many challenges in their learning journey. In this session, we’ll cover research-based approaches that English Language teachers can use to help each student develop resilience - the ability to bounce back from difficulties, learn from experiences, and thrive in the face of adversity.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Dan Belenky Ph.D

    How the Languages We Speak Shape the Ways We Think

    (For teachers of all ages)

    Humans communicate with one another using around 7000 different languages, and each language differs from the rest in a myriad ways. How do the languages we speak shape the ways we think? Does learning new languages change the way you think? When you’re learning a new language, are you merely learning a new way of expressing your thoughts, or are the new ways of talking actually shaping the very thoughts you wish to express? (Please note, the 10am session from Lera will not be live, but will be a pre-recording.)

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Lera Boroditsky

  • Online Assessment For and As Learning

    (For teachers of adults)

    This talk will discuss how online assessment can be used for learning and even as learning, for it can provide students with ongoing, specific and personalized feedback on their learning in a timely and efficient manner.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Isabela Villas-Boas

    Unlock the Potential of ChatGPT for Language Teaching

    (For teachers of adults)

    Harness the power of AI in language teaching! AI offers limitless possibilities for teachers and students alike, from personalized materials to interactive conversations and skill enhancement. Join this interactive talk to discover hands-on ways to bring AI into your English classroom.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Josh Goldsmith

  • From Wonder to Wisdom: The Power of Wondering

    (For teachers of young learners)

    The objective of teaching young learners to be curious is to cultivate a proactive and inquisitive mindset that promotes active engagement with the learning process. Fostering curiosity enhances critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love for learning, contributing to intellectual development and adaptability in this changing world.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Myriam Monterrubio

    Ideation in the YL Classroom: Generating, Developing and Sharing Creative Ideas

    (For teachers of young learners)

    Ideation is a 3-step process which helps students solve problems, implement solutions and evaluate ideas. In this session, we will share practical ideas and activities which encourage Young Learners to generate, develop and communicate ideas during creative tasks.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Sea Steele and Sarah Smith

  • Begin at the Beginning: Using Story to Introduce New Topics

    (For teachers of adults)

    As teachers, it’s not always easy to find a way in to the course book topic of the day. In this session, I would like to share some practical, story-rich ideas which include using short anecdotes, images and even artificial intelligence.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Jamie Keddie

    Activate Schema: Using Life Experience to Maximise Learning

    (For teachers of adults)

    Our students come into the classroom with a wealth of knowledge and experience. But do they build on that in the classroom? Whatever your context, this session looks at the theory and gives you practical ideas to maximise language learning.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Rachael Fionda

  • Developing an Academic Mindset

    (For teachers of adults)

    Students need more than just vocabulary and grammar at university. This session explores what “academic English” means and how we can lead students from personal to universal topics, using critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate information and then make their own meaningful contributions.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Dorothy Zemach

    Fostering Change through Youth Empowerment and Global Connections

    (for teachers of all ages)

    In this session Margarita and Harry will look at how you can become involved in an exciting collaborative initiative, Change Makers, and support it with creative contributions, allowing students to step up, make a difference and have their voices heard across the world.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Harry Waters & Margarita Kosior

Week Two

  • The Adventures of the Young Grammar Detectives

    (For teachers of young learners)

    Put English grammar under investigation in your Young Learners classroom! Unmask the rules that govern language using creative detective techniques. Follow the leads provided by evidence-rich contexts and engage young detectives in solving grammar puzzles.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Anna Parr

    Exam Preparation Made Fun for Youngsters!

    (For teachers of young learners)

    When we hear exam preparation we tend to think boring, difficult, however, it does not have to be that way! Join me and experience some fun and easy activities that you can implement in your classroom to prepare students for international exams.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Orelly Palmas

  • My Experience: Putting Grammar in Context

    (For teachers of teenagers)

    Teachers and learners usually have a very close but complicated relationship with grammar. In this talk I will try to unravel that relationship based on my own experience as a Secondary school teacher, a learner, a classroom observer, and also as a coursebook writer. I will also share some of the approaches and activities that I find work in the classroom, including the presentation of grammar in motivating, content-rich contexts.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    David Spencer

    What's the Future for Grammar in the Classroom?

    (For teachers of all ages)

    This talk will summarize ways grammar has been taught in the past, and then present my own views on how it may be taught in the future, to enable our students to be both fluent and accurate in their output.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Penny Ur

  • Everyone Makes Progress Here!

    (For teachers of teenagers)

    Nowadays, diversity is part and parcel of our classroom. In this session, I’ll demonstrate practical ideas to cater for all your students’ needs, no matter what their individual learning styles are. This way, you’ll get them all on board and making progress with their English!

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Usoa Sol

    Tried and Tested: How to Assess Project-work

    (For teachers of teenagers)

    In the last few decades, there has been considerable interest in formative assessment practices and alternative, authentic assessment methods. In this talk, we will focus on practical ways to assess project work and foster learner autonomy.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Claudia Rey

  • Let the Inside Out: Empowering Emotional Expression in the Classroom

    (For teachers of young learners)

    Big feelings don't have to be learning blockers. Join this webinar to learn practical tips and activities to help your students identify, express, and manage their feelings so they can thrive in your English class.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Lorena Peimbert

    Let's Make Some Noise about Bullying: Prevent and Manage Classroom Bullying

    (For teachers of young learners)

    Bullying is a current problem in educational settings worldwide and approximately 6% of schoolchildren can be classified as bully-victims. It is a repeated intentional aggressive behaviour and can be physical, verbal, or relational. In the talk we will explore how to prevent bullying and how to manage it effectively.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Alicja Galazka

  • Breaking the Silence: 10 Ways to Empower Students to Express Themselves

    (For teachers of young learners)

    "Why are they are so silent when I want them to speak! But noisy the rest of the time?!” Are your learners lost for words? Do you need them to speak up in class? They might just need some confidence-boosters, some extra support or a comfortable environment to get speaking. In this session, we’ll explore 10 easy ways to create facilitative conditions for learners to overcome their fears and inhibitions, and feel empowered and confident communicating with each other in English.

    10:00am, 2:00pm & 9:30pm (UK time)

    Sarah Hillyard

    Parents on Board: Ideas to Involve Parents in their Child’s Learning

    (For teachers of young learners)

    How can we involve parents in their children’s learning while getting the ‘Goldilocks formula’ – not too much, not too little,… just right? Learn and share practical ideas for communicating with parents and supporting them to engage in their children’s learning at home.

    10:50am, 2:50pm & 10:20pm (UK time)

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    Grzegorz Spiewak

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If that wasn’t enough, all attendees will benefit from:

PERSONALISED
CERTIFICATES

MACMILLAN EDUCATION
COURSE WALKTHROUGHS

FREE GOODIE BAGS
EVERY DAY

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