March 9, 2025 | MyWay Hotel, Patra
The Foreign Languages Forum in Patra is bringing cutting-edge discussions to the forefront of language education! This year, two plenary sessions will explore AI in education and the impact of vocabulary on exam success, giving educators practical insights and strategies to enhance their teaching. Boosting Scores in Language Exams: The Role Played by Vocabulary
How much does vocabulary impact exam performance? This session examines whether using topic-specific vocabulary can give students an edge, how examiners balance lexical choice with other assessment criteria, and how teachers can build a strong, relevant vocabulary base for learners.
AI in Action! Engage Learners with Practical Activities
Is AI just about cheating? Think again! This hands-on session will show teachers how to harness AI tools like ChatGPT to create engaging language activities, enhance student creativity, and develop critical thinking skills in the classroom. Designed by teachers, for teachers, this session provides practical AI-driven strategies that work.
Be part of the only Foreign Languages Forum in the Peloponnese and explore the future of language learning, assessment, and technology-driven education!
Who is speaking
Stephen-John Taylor
Seminar and Webinar Presenter
Dimitris Primalis
Teacher Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow, Head of FL Dept at Evropaiko Protypo
Ανδρέας Μπέσσας
Ειδικος παιδαγωγος – Λογοθεραπευτης – Μουσικος
Κωνσταντίνα Γκίκα
MSc, Διευθυντρια, 2ο Ειδικο Δημοτικο Σχολειο Πατρας
Dimitris Hilaris
Southern Greece Area Manager Express Publishing
Dimitrios N. Ziogas
CEO / Founder butterfly publishing
Maria Diavati
Academic Consultant, MacMillan Education Greece
Download the programme
Plenary Sessions
Boosting Scores in Language Exams:The Role Played by Vocabulary
When it comes to grading language exams, just how far does vocabulary contribute towards the final score? And does topic-specific vocabulary —e.g. “file,” “download,” or “application” in a technology-themed question—give candidates an extra edge?
This session explores these very issues. We’ll look at how examiners balance lexical choice with other factors such as coherence, grammar, and overall clarity. Drawing on real-world examples and research, we’ll unpack whether using the “right” words for a given topic significantly impacts grades, or if it’s just one piece of a bigger puzzle.
We’ll also discuss practical tips for teachers to help students build a strong, topic-specific vocabulary base while keeping their writing natural and engaging. By the end of this session, educators and examiners will have a clearer picture of how to evaluate writing fairly and, using the latest technology, better support learners preparing for success in their exams.
Ειδικές Μαθησιακές Δυσκολίες και Εκμάθηση Ξένης Γλώσσας
Η εκμάθηση μιας ξένης γλώσσας μπορεί να αποτελεί σημαντική πρόκληση για μαθητές με ειδικές μαθησιακές δυσκολίες (ΕΜΔ), όπως η δυσλεξία, η δυσαναγνωσία, η δυσαριθμησία, η διαταραχή ελλειμματικής προσοχής και υπερκινητικότητας (ΔΕΠ-Υ) ,διαταραχές συναισθηματικής ρύθμισης (ΔΣΡ)και ο λειτουργικός αυτισμός.
Η παρουσίαση εστιάζει στις δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουν οι μαθητές κατά την εκμάθηση μιας ξένης γλώσσας και στις στρατηγικές που μπορούν να διευκολύνουν τη γλωσσική ανάπτυξη.
Κατά τη διάρκεια της παρουσίασης, θα αναλυθούν:
Οι γνωστικές και γλωσσικές δυσκολίες που επηρεάζουν την απόκτηση μιας ξένης γλώσσας.
Πώς η δυσλεξία, η ΔΕΠ-Υ και ο λειτουργικός αυτισμός και γενικότερα οι μαθησιακές δυσκολίες επηρεάζουν τη γραφή, την ανάγνωση, την ακρόαση και την ομιλία στη νέα γλώσσα.
Πολυαισθητηριακές μέθοδοι που ενισχύουν τη μνήμη, τη φωνολογική επίγνωση και τη συγκέντρωση.
Χρήση οπτικοποιημένων εργαλείων, δομημένων ρουτινών και τεχνικών επανάληψης για τη βελτίωση της κατανόησης και παραγωγής λόγου.
Ψηφιακά μέσα, διαδραστικά παιχνίδια και εφαρμογές που κάνουν την εκμάθηση πιο αποτελεσματική και διασκεδαστική.
Τρόποι προσαρμογής της διδασκαλίας ώστε να ανταποκρίνεται στις ανάγκες των μαθητών με ΕΜΔ.
Θα γίνει μια προσπάθεια ώστε εκπαιδευτικοί ξένων γλωσσών, θεραπευτές αλλά και όλοι όσοι ενδιαφέρονται για μεθόδους διδασκαλίας που κάνουν την ξένη γλώσσα προσβάσιμη σε μαθητές με μαθησιακές δυσκολίες με στόχο την ανάπτυξη παιδαγωγικών πρακτικών που επιτρέπουν στους μαθητές με ΕΜΔ να μαθαίνουν ξένες γλώσσες με αυτοπεποίθηση και αποτελεσματικότητα.
AI In Action! Engage learners with practical activities
Who says that ChatGPT and AI in education are good only for cheating? Generative AI offers innovative opportunities to revolutionize language learning. Instead of viewing technology as a threat, educators can strategically harness students' digital creativity to enhance language acquisition. By integrating AI tools selectively, teachers can design engaging activities that develop linguistic skills, stimulate critical and creative thinking, and boost learners' confidence in using English. The workshop features tools, activities, and techniques that teachers can use with their students. A hands on session designed by a teacher for frontline teachers.
Professional Presentations
4 Minds B2, C1/C2: Life Skills, Creativity, and Communication for the Real World
4 Minds is an engaging new English course for B2 and C1/C2 levels that brings language to life through current, real-world topics and authentic videos. With a focus on 21st-century skills, students develop the competencies they need to succeed in and beyond the classroom. STEAM activities, life skills, mediation, and digital literacy foster creativity, effective communication, and independent learning. Designed to prepare learners for all major language exams at B2 and C1/C2 levels, 4 Minds offers comprehensive practice to build confidence and ensure success.
Express Digiplus: AI-Powered Learning for a Smarter, Adaptive Classroom
Discover how AI-powered tools can transform language classrooms by creating personalised learning paths. This session will showcase the impact of an adaptive AI platform on student engagement, performance, and skill development. Embrace AI for a more dynamic and responsive learning experience!
Metaskills and a Content-based Syllabus shape the future of Education.
This session will explore how Content-based learning becomes the most powerful tool for fostering metaskill mastery in students. We will discuss the theoretical foundations of metaskills and their relevance in contemporary education. We will also focus on how prioritizing content can explicitly promote the development of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Together, we will examine how a Content-based curriculum can cultivate self-aware, reflective, and strategic learners who are prepared to excel in the challenges of the 21st century.
Come on Everybody…. Join In
Encourage your students to learn, think and create together with Join In 1 for A Class and Join In 2 for B Class. Join In combines adventure stories with a wealth of real-world information and is packed with engaging and challenging activities that will develop critical and creative thinking as well as enhance all four major skills.
Why just teach when you can Inspire?
Inspire!B1, B1+ and B2 use an innovative combination of print and digital materials to bring learning to life and life to learning. Inspire! includes up-to-date topics that teens can relate to and develops key 21st century competencies, while preparing students for all B2 exams.
Fly to ... Exam: Cultivating skills, not just scores
The "Fly to ... Exam" series is designed with a dual focus: to ensure students not only excel in their exams but also develop a deep, functional understanding of the English language. This presentation will explore how our books move beyond traditional test preparation by
emphasizing comprehensive skill development and practical language use.
Exhibitors
