Topic: Young Learners | Plenary | Creative content that promotes authentic young learner output
Presenter: Katy Kelly
Presentation details
Young learner materials present an incredible opportunity to engage learners with the world beyond language learning itself. In this FoELT 2026 plenary session, Katy Kelly will explore how creative content can encourage more authentic communication, learner engagement and meaningful classroom interaction.
Focusing on the role of content, input channels and classroom decision-making, Katy will examine why learner output can sometimes feel less authentic than intended, and how a more creative and learner-centred approach can help promote dynamic communication and classroom participation.
The session will also explore practical examples of creative content use in real teaching contexts, offering immediately applicable ideas and activities designed to support both learners and teachers.
About the presenter
Katy Kelly is a freelance teacher trainer and materials writer specialising in early years, primary and secondary education. She has worked internationally across the public bilingual sector and private education providers including the British Council, Cambridge University Press, International House and Bell English, delivering face-to-face and online training on Young Learner methodology, CLIL and train-the-trainer programmes.
She has co-authored Trinity College London Press’s Your Way to GESE exam preparation series, contributed to Kids Box 3rd Edition for Cambridge University Press and worked on curriculum development, phonics materials and educational publishing projects across multiple international contexts.
Katy is also a regular conference presenter and webinar speaker for teachers around the world.