Magdalena Brzezinska, who talked about the use of art to promote peace, answers the post-conference questionnaire.
The conference was exactly what I was looking for. I’m always on the lookout for new applications of images in my classroom. My favorite speakers were: Kieran Donaghy (his workshops were the main reason why I was determined to go to the conference), Rob Howard, Paul Driver, Jean Sciberras and Antonia Clare, but I also appreciated many other workshops and plenaries. I was only sorry I couldn’t attend all the sessions I was interested in – due to them being parallel. I loved the Maltese organizers, and I thought Sue Falzon, Sihon Gauci, Daniel Xerri and their colleagues did an awesome job. I also liked the venue (a lot!) and all the accompanying activities (the tour around Malta, the visit to the National Library, etc.)
It was different, because its focus was very specific: the use of image in ELT. The participants were really interested in what the speakers had to say. They were active and eager to take part. Also, there was an amazing intimate/cosy atmosphere. Oh, and everyone was really understanding towards a speaker/participant with a child…
I really enjoyed the discussions related to the use of videos/short films and art in ELT. For me, the most valuable point was that of teaching ethics/values/gratitude in English, through images. I’m not a huge fan of gamification/video games, but I appreciated such discussions, inspired by Paul Driver and Kevin Spiteri, too. They opened me to new experiences and new ways of teaching.
Any place in Europe. Berlin? Lisbon? My favorite Valencia, Spain?
Magdalena Brzezinska has been an EFL teacher for over 20 years and a teacher trainer for 10 years. She taught practical English and sociolinguistics to English Philology students at the University of Warmia and Masuria, Poland. Now she is teaching junior high school students. I like to combine regular and online activities.
