Global Teachers’ Festival 2024 – Macmillan Education

on 19.01.2024 at 20:00

February 19th to 1st March 2024

We’re excited to invite you to a two weeks festival of 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!

20 unique talks and 22 international speakers

– Some of the most impactful education professionals from around the world
– All sessions run 3 times per day so you can see the sessions that are important to you.
– A huge range of free teaching resources are offered to all those who register.

Join some of the best ELT professionals from around the world at Macmillan’s festival!
Read about the speakers HERE.

Festival Programme:

Monday, 19th February:

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

Dan Belenky, Ph.D.

(For teachers of all ages)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

How Second Languages Shape the Way We Think

Lera Boroditsky

(For teachers of all ages)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

In a follow-up to her world-famous TED Talk ‘How Language Shapes The Way We Think’, Lera Boroditsky will explore the role a second language has to play in how we interpret the world around us. Understanding differences in how we think—through the lens of language—is a powerful tool to learn how we connect with one another, build communities, and share common experiences. (Please note, the 10am session from Lera will not be live, but will be a pre-recording.)

Tuesday, 20th February:

Online Assessment For and As Learning

Isabela Villas Boas

(For teachers of adults)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

Unlock the Potential of ChatGPT for Language Teaching

Josh Goldsmith

(For teachers of adults)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Wednesday, 21st February:

From Wonder to Wisdom: The Power of Wondering

Myriam Monterrubio

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

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

Sea (Claire) Steele and Sarah Smith

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Thursday, 22nd February:

Begin at the Beginning: Using Story to Introduce New Topics

Jamie Keddie

(For teachers of adults)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

Activate Schema: Using Life Experience to Maximise Learning

Rachael Fionda

(For teachers of adults)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Friday, 23rd February:

Developing an Academic Mindset

Dorothy Zemach

(For teachers of adults)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

Fostering Change through Youth Empowerment and Global Connections

Harry Waters & Margarita Kosior

(For teachers of all ages)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Monday, 26th February:

The Adventures of the Young Grammar Detectives

Anna Parr

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

Exam Preparation Made Fun for Youngsters!

Orelly Palmas

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Tuesday, 27th February:

My Experience: Putting Grammar in Context

David Spencer

(For teachers of teenagers)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

What’s the Future for Grammar in the Classroom?

Penny Ur

(For teachers of all ages)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Wednesday, 28th February:

Everyone Makes Progress Here!

Usoa Sol

(For teachers of teenagers)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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!

Tried and Tested: How to Assess Project-work

Claudia Rey

(For teachers of teenagers)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Thursday, 29th February:

Let the Inside Out: Empowering Emotional Expression in the Classroom

Lorena Peimbert

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

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.

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

Alicja Gałązka

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

Friday, 1st March:

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

Sarah Hillyard

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.00 PM, 4.00PM & 11.30pm (EET)

“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.

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

Lulu Campbell

(For teachers of young learners)
Time: 12.50PM, 4:50PPM & 00:20AM (EET)

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.

All attendees will benefit from: