Magdalena Brzezinska talks about her experience in the Image Conference in Athens.
1. What did you enjoy about The Image Conference?
I enjoyed everything about the Conference, and I’m sure I’m no exception. The organizers did an amazing job, the venue was perfect, the speakers were engaging, the topics were relevant, and the food was delicious.
2. How was The Image Conference different from other conferences you’ve been to?
I love Image Conferences, as they aren’t overwhelming. You are able to interact, bond and share with everyone. Also, they always attract speakers and audiences who are genuinely interested in using visual arts in their teaching, and also in sharing their practices with like-minded individuals. The conference is different from many others in that it is not one of egos, but one of passions.
3. What were the main discussion points to arise in The Image Conference?
This time what I appreciated the most were presentations and workshops focused on immigrant issues, on the inclusivity of visual materials used in the language classroom, and on getting rid of stereotypes created by visuals – through visuals themselves. I was also inspired by the talk on how to use masterpieces as relevant discussion prompts.
4. Are there any innovations to the format of the Image Conference that you would like to see in the future?
I loved the workshop on creating videos for ELT, and I would like to see more of such hands-on workshops in the future. I know it’s impossible and impractical, but it would also be wonderful if you didn’t need to choose between sessions, as all of them are so thought-provoking and inspirational!