FoELT 2024 Webinars
Trinity College London is committed to supporting educators in delivering high-quality teaching and learning experiences. We offer a wide range of resources, expert guidance, teaching materials, and professional development opportunities designed to empower teachers at every stage of their careers.
These webinars and conferences provide valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in language education, keeping educators at the forefront of the evolving landscape.
Teacher education
The Teacher Education strand of the Future of English Language Teaching conference covers innovative approaches to training and professional development for English language teachers, including topics such as pedagogical best practices, reflective teaching, assessment strategies, and fostering inclusive and culturally responsive teaching environments.
Plenary: Creating an ‘Emergent Language Culture’ in a Teaching Team
R.Chinn & D.Norrington-Davies
In this plenary, Richard and Danny discussed how they support teachers and trainees in forming groups that develop emergent language practices. By reflecting on classroom experiences and beliefs, teachers can collaborate on shared goals. They also explored how this collaboration fosters connections, projects, and new opportunities for deeper self-understanding and classroom insights.
Exploring an Innovative Tool in Promoting Inclusive Teaching and Learning - A Workshop on Pedagogical Translanguaging
Dr.Unnisa, R
This workshop explores pedagogical translanguaging (PT) as a tool for inclusive teaching. PT supports multilingual learning by leveraging students’ language resources. Participants will unpack key concepts, distinguish PT from code-switching, and explore practical strategies. Interactive activities and discussions will provide hands-on experience, equipping educators with tools to foster dynamic, inclusive classrooms.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in ELT: Empowering English Teachers
Vidal, L
This webinar equips English teachers with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies to create inclusive ELT classrooms. UDL removes learning barriers by offering multiple ways to present content, engage students, and assess learning. Participants will explore practical approaches to designing accessible materials, fostering engagement, and implementing flexible assessments. Interactive discussions will provide tools to support diverse learners, including those with ADHD and varied cultural backgrounds, ensuring every student can thrive.
Transformative Pathways: Nurturing Inclusive Teacher Development for Tomorrow
Caszadeh Mataki, A
This session explores a bottom-up approach to teacher growth, combining innovative strategies with inclusive pedagogy. It examines a year-long professional development model that fosters collaboration and personalizes learning. Through qualitative analysis and reflection, participants gain insights into the impact of teacher-driven development on inclusive practices. The session highlights how context-specific collaboration can drive lasting improvements in teaching and student outcomes.
Technology & Innovation
The Technology & Innovation strand of the Future of English Language Teaching conference explores the latest digital tools, emerging technologies, and innovative practices shaping English language education. Topics include AI-driven learning, virtual and augmented reality in the classroom, adaptive learning platforms, and strategies for effectively integrating technology to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Plenary: Digital inclusion in the language classroom
Korma, J
This plenary session explores how teachers can support language learners with diverse abilities in accessing and using digital technology effectively. Judit examines digital inclusion, the role of technology in meeting the needs of neurodiverse students, and the training and support required to maximize its benefits. The session also highlights barriers to technology use and the application of universal design principles in teaching and assessment. It concludes with recent developments in digital inclusion for course design, assessment, and practical classroom strategies.
Single Parent Educator's Guide: Empowering Teaching Excellence with AI Integration
Sahutoglu, A
This workshop explores how the skills developed through single parenthood can enhance teaching practices and how AI can support educators in balancing professional and personal demands. It examines how empathy, adaptability, and resilience can create inclusive learning environments and how AI tools can personalize student support and optimize teaching workflows. Open to all educators, this session provides practical strategies and actionable tools to integrate teaching expertise and AI, fostering innovation and student success.
Artiemotional' Intelligence
Hidalgo, M
This session explores the role of positive emotions in English language teaching and how AI can enhance both teacher and student wellbeing. While much research focuses on reducing negative emotions, this approach emphasizes fostering enjoyment in the classroom. A two-pronged training program supported teachers’ wellbeing in teamwork and provided practical strategies to enhance classroom engagement. The introduction of AI proved to be a game-changer, streamlining planning, correction, and activity creation, allowing for more engaging lessons and reduced workload. This session highlights key aspects of positive education and the potential of AI to transform language teaching by combining technology with empathy.
Young Learners
The Younger Learners strand focuses on teaching English to children and adolescents, emphasizing age-appropriate methodologies, language acquisition strategies, and classroom management techniques. Key topics include play-based learning, early literacy development, the use of storytelling and games, and strategies for creating engaging and supportive learning environments for younger students.
Developing Listening Skills at B1 (and beyond!)
Crompton, B
This session explores the challenges young learners face when developing listening skills, particularly in exam-focused classrooms where listening is often tested rather than taught. Despite research advocating for a skills-based approach, many course materials still prioritize assessment over development. Additionally, studies show that listening anxiety can negatively impact learners’ confidence and comprehension, often more in the classroom than in exams. This session provides a fresh perspective by demonstrating how listening tasks can be transformed into positive learning experiences. Participants will gain five practical, low-prep activities that help students develop listening skills without adding extra classroom time.
Developing Young ESL/EFL Learners’ (Creative) Writing Using a Balanced Approach
Gregoriades, A
Creative writing is a powerful tool that helps young ESL/EFL learners produce longer texts while simultaneously enhancing their listening, speaking, and reading skills (Thorpe, 2022). Traditional SPAG-focused instruction has been found ineffective, as there is little evidence that decontextualized grammar lessons transfer to students’ writing (Jones et al., 2012). Instead, writing and reading share a symbiotic relationship where progress in one supports the other (Barrs, 2003). This session explores practical strategies to foster creativity in young learners, from manipulating story elements (Rodari, 1996) to using Pixar-inspired storytelling techniques to unlock imagination and develop a writer’s voice.
English for Specific Purposes
The English for Specific Purposes strand delves into teaching English tailored to specific professional or academic contexts, such as business, medicine, engineering, and tourism. This strand covers specialized curriculum design, needs analysis, and strategies for developing targeted language skills, ensuring learners can communicate effectively in their chosen fields.
Teaching English for Academic Purposes through Projects
Vieira Fettermann, J
Project-based Learning (PBL) in ELT is often associated with children and teenagers, but it can be equally valuable for adults, including university and graduate students. In today’s world, learners need autonomy and agency to engage with meaningful topics, connect research to their realities, and use language to achieve academic goals. This session explores strategies for designing and implementing projects with graduate students, examining key considerations for this context, developing lesson plans, and rethinking assessment through a redesign perspective.
Language Policing: Lessons from the Translanguaging Indian Classroom
Alvin A, C
Indian classrooms are rich in multilingualism and multiculturalism, yet linguistic diversity faces challenges due to shifting language policies. While modern language teaching methods support the judicious use of the mother tongue in English classrooms, many institutions enforce an English-only policy, both in class and on campus. This research examines stakeholders' attitudes toward translanguaging in English language teaching and explores how language policing impacts translanguaging initiatives at the tertiary level.
Join us
Trinity’s Future of English Language Teaching conference brings together global experts to explore innovative approaches, allowing us to contribute to the ongoing conversations in the field and shape the future of English language teaching. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and connected with a community dedicated to educational excellence and find out more about our ongoing teacher support and resources.