Join LANGUAGECERT at Didacta 2025

10:00 – 11:00 

Academic Talk

Technology’s Impact on Attention Retention and EFL Learning 

Speaker: Joanna Paolinelli 

This session explores how EFL learners can navigate the reality of fragmented attention in digital environments. Research from King’s College London (2022) highlights that nearly 50% of individuals—especially younger users immersed in digital media—experience shorter attention spans. The constant switching between apps and multitasking is not just a challenge but a defining feature of modern cognition.

Rather than viewing this shift as an obstacle, we will examine how learners can balance moments of fragmented attention with intentional, focused engagement. How can educators and learners create structured yet flexible learning moments that work within, rather than against, the realities of digital engagement? This session will explore strategies that leverage technology to enhance language learning—through listening, reading, speaking, and interactive engagement—while fostering deeper retention and comprehension.

By embracing new patterns of attention rather than resisting them, we can develop practical approaches to help learners thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

Joanna Paolinelli is the Managing Director of British School Pisa Group. Her focus lies in leveraging her experience, technology, and fresh ideas to ensure that English learning and teaching are accessible to all. She combines digital tools and innovative approaches to foster an inclusive classroom environment that caters to everyone's learning needs. Joanna holds an MSC in psychological research methods and a Masters in Educational Psychology.

Register here

12:00 – 13:00

Workshop

Behind the Screens: Why real engagement happens in class and how to make digital tools work for students outside school

Speaker: Andrew Howarth (sponsored by Macmillan Italy)

This workshop explores how to make learning interactive and engaging in class while using digital tools to support independent study. We will focus on balancing screen-free, communicative activities with smart digital strategies that enhance student autonomy outside of school.

Through practical strategies and real-world examples, participants will discover how to: 

• Foster engaging, screen-free lessons that prioritize deep learning, discussion, and collaboration, transforming course content into interactive, problem-solving tasks. 

• Implement flipped learning techniques, helping students prepare for lessons through structured, independent study. 

• Introduce AI and digital tools responsibly, ensuring they enhance rather than replace real learning experiences. 

• Encourage students to take ownership of their progress, using self-assessment tools and reflective learning strategies. 
  
  

This session will provide teachers with ready-to-use activities, insights from recent research on digital integration in education, and a balanced approach to autonomy that prioritizes critical thinking, motivation, and long-term retention. 

Join us to explore how we can create a screen-conscious, student-centered classroom that prepares learners for success both inside and outside of school. 

Andrew Howarth is an English teacher and educational trainer based in northern Italy, with over 15 years of experience in Italian state secondary schools and universities. He provides language coaching, didactical support, and engaging learning experiences for both students and educators. As a father of two school age children, he deeply understands the benefits and risks of digital integration in schools. Always full of innovative ideas, Andrew is committed to making language learning dynamic and meaningful.

Register here

14:00 – 15:00
Welcome Intro & Academic Talk 

Student Empowerment: The Power of Choice 

What if I told you that one simple change in the classroom could boost student motivation, engagement, and confidence? This talk explores practical strategies to foster autonomy, deepen learning, and ignite a lifelong passion for education, transforming the classroom and, more importantly, transforming our students' experience. 

• Define Student Empowerment: The process of giving students the tools, voice, and responsibility to take charge of their learning. 

• Studies show that when students have autonomy, their intrinsic motivation increases (Deci & Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory (2000). 

• Choice fosters deeper engagement and ownership of learning. 

• How to Implement Choice in the Classroom 

• "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire" – William Butler Yeats 
  
  

Jack Bancroft is a highly experienced English language educator with over a decade of teaching experience across multiple countries, including the UK, France, Belgium, and Italy. With expertise in both English and French instruction and curriculum development, Jack has worked in diverse educational settings, fostering language acquisition and cross-cultural communication. 

Register here

15:30 – 16:30

Academic Talk

Technology’s Impact on Attention Retention and EFL Learning 

Speaker: Joanna Paolinelli

This session explores how EFL learners can navigate the reality of fragmented attention in digital environments. Research from King’s College London (2022) highlights that nearly 50% of individuals—especially younger users immersed in digital media—experience shorter attention spans. The constant switching between apps and multitasking is not just a challenge but a defining feature of modern cognition.

Rather than viewing this shift as an obstacle, we will examine how learners can balance moments of fragmented attention with intentional, focused engagement. How can educators and learners create structured yet flexible learning moments that work within, rather than against, the realities of digital engagement? This session will explore strategies that leverage technology to enhance language learning—through listening, reading, speaking, and interactive engagement—while fostering deeper retention and comprehension.

By embracing new patterns of attention rather than resisting them, we can develop practical approaches to help learners thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

Joanna Paolinelli is the Managing Director of British School Pisa Group. Her focus lies in leveraging her experience, technology, and fresh ideas to ensure that English learning and teaching are accessible to all. She combines digital tools and innovative approaches to foster an inclusive classroom environment that caters to everyone's learning needs. Joanna holds an MSC in psychological research methods and a Masters in Educational Psychology.

10:00 – 11:00

Academic Talk

Integrating Socio-Emotional Learning in the teenage classroom

Speaker: Sylvia Karastathi

This session aims to equip EFL teachers working with teenage learners with effective strategies and tasks targeting the socio-emotional needs of the 21st century classroom. During adolescence students experience significant emotional, social, and cognitive development which can affect them profoundly.

Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills, which are essential for personal and academic success, and it is believed that it can help teenagers go through this sensitive period of their life. Join us to explore how by integrating SEL into our classrooms, we can create a supportive learning environment that promotes holistic growth. 

Dr Sylvia Karastathi is a teacher educator and lecturer with over 10 years of experience in higher education. She is the Head of Teacher Support at LANGUAGECERT, leading on resources and events to support the teaching communities around LANGUAGECERT certifications. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the Ionian University, Greece, Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting, where she co-ordinates the department's graduate teacher development program.

Register here

12:00 – 13:00

From Passive to Proactive: Building Autonomy in the EFL Classroom

Speaker: Simon Criswick

Join us for an engaging session on fostering learner autonomy in the EFL classroom. Together, we’ll explore ways to help students take ownership of their learning, overcome common challenges, and build confidence. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, you’ll discover how goal setting, student choice, and peer collaboration can transform your teaching. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and an action plan to create a more student-centered classroom where learners feel empowered and motivated to grow. 

Simon Criswick is Head of Teaching and Learning at My English School. In London Simon was a modern languages teacher (Italian, German and French) and Head of Department in a high school. Once in Italy he developed the teaching and learning method of My English School, an English school founded in 2011 in Florence and currently present in Italy, France and Spain with over 60 schools. MyES teaches English to adults and children and is often a partner to institutes and schools in order to offer communicative and dynamic teaching to all students. 

Register here

14:00 – 15:00

Academic Talk

My strong mind – the power of the inner voice in the YL classroom

Speaker: Chantelle Walsh

 We all have a voice in our head and children are no exception. In this session we will look at harnessing the inner coach of young students through the themes of resilience, self-awareness, courage, determination, and self-belief. Through storytelling and fun activities, we will reflect together on how students can help themselves and build their confidence so that inner voice becomes a friend rather than a foe. 

Chantelle Walsh is a Teacher and Teacher Trainer and a LANGUAGECERT interlocutor for all levels. She is a graduate in Irish Language and Literature from University College Dublin and holds the Higher Diploma in Education from Maynooth University, Ireland. Having started her career as a state schoolteacher, Chantelle has enjoyed training and working with teachers in both primary and secondary schools all over Italy for the past twenty years.

Register here

15:30 – 16:30

Academic Talk

Empowering Students Along Their English Learning Journey: Effective Strategies for Teachers.

Speaker: Danielle Lucente

This session explores how teachers can foster an environment that enhances student confidence and motivation in English language learning. Drawing on methods used in extracurricular settings, where limited contact time requires creativity and engagement, we will discuss how these strategies can be adapted for state school teaching as well. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Setting Goals and Understanding Learner Needs – Effective teaching begins with clear, personalized learning objectives. Whether helping students achieve practical communication skills or preparing for language exams, goal setting plays a crucial role in motivation. We will also explore how assessment, when approached as a tool for personal growth rather than just evaluation, empowers students to take ownership of their learning. 
  
  

• Interactive Teaching Methods and the Role of Teacher Training – Engaging students requires dynamic teaching techniques, from interactive materials and games to structured conversation practice. Equally important is equipping teachers with the skills and strategies to implement these methods effectively. We will discuss how teacher training programs can incorporate clear objectives and didactic materials to enhance lesson delivery. 
  
  

• Building Confidence Through Real-World Application – Language learning is most effective when students can apply their skills in meaningful contexts. We will explore how extracurricular programs, such as conversation clubs and cultural events, provide valuable opportunities for authentic practice. Additionally, we will highlight digital resources that support immersive learning and can be integrated into various teaching environments. 
  
  

This session aims to provide educators with adaptable, practical strategies to maximize student engagement and learning outcomes in any teaching context. 

Danielle Marie Lucente is an experienced educator and Director of Studies at British School Prati in Rome. With a background in teaching, training, and curriculum development, she has been guiding students and teachers for over 15 years. Her expertise spans language education, assessment design, and team management, ensuring engaging and effective learning experiences.

10:00 – 11:00

Academic Talk

My strong mind – the power of the inner voice in the Young Learners classroom

Speaker: Chantelle Walsh 

We all have a voice in our head and children are no exception. In this session we will look at harnessing the inner coach of young students through the themes of resilience, self-awareness, courage, determination, and self-belief. Through storytelling and fun activities, we will reflect together on how students can help themselves and build their confidence so that inner voice becomes a friend rather than a foe. 

Chantelle Walsh is a Teacher and Teacher Trainer and a LANGUAGECERT interlocutor for all levels. She is a graduate in Irish Language and Literature from University College Dublin and holds the Higher Diploma in Education from Maynooth University, Ireland. Having started her career as a state schoolteacher, Chantelle has enjoyed training and working with teachers in both primary and secondary schools all over Italy for the past twenty years.

Register here

11:00 – 12:00

Academic Talk

Talk the Talk: A Transformative Strategy for Language Learners

Speaker: Caroline Martin

Public speaking is one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences for most people. Now, imagine being a language student—expected to speak in front of peers, in a foreign language, under evaluation. Terrifying, right? But as teachers, we can change that. 

In this talk, I introduce a constructivist teaching strategy that not only develops speaking skills but also builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of community in the classroom. My TalkTrek Method— a journey-like approach where students advance through three structured oral challenges—guides students through progressively engaging speaking tasks: an informative, argumentative, and personal challenge presentation. Each step builds on the last, ensuring meaningful learning, self-reflection, and skill progression. 

But here’s the secret ingredient: a stress-friendly, collaborative, and feedback-driven environment. With practical techniques inspired by theater, dance, sports training, and even my own struggles with public speaking, I’ll show you how to turn fear into empowerment. By the end, you’ll be equipped with hands-on strategies to transform your students’ speaking abilities—and maybe even your own. 

Join me as we rethink language teaching, embrace a new approach to oral skills, and discover how public speaking doesn’t have to be a nightmare—it can be an adventure. 

Caroline Martin is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching languages, literature, and cinema to students of all ages. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, in a bilingual environment, she developed a deep appreciation for languages from an early age. She is fluent in French, English, and Spanish and is currently learning Italian. She holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in literature from the Université du Québec à Montréal and a Ph.D. in Arts Education from Concordia University. Her research experience at the Université de Montréal has further enriched her pedagogical approach. 

Register here

12:00 – 13:00

Workshop

Path to Success: Tools, Obstacles, and Clarity in Achieving Your Goals

Speaker: Giuseppe Romagnoli

Achieving our goals requires more than just ambition, demands awareness, strategy, and resilience. This workshop, "Path to Success: Tools, Obstacles, and Clarity in Achieving Your Goals," is designed to help participants identify and utilise the resources at their disposal, recognise and overcome existing barriers, and anticipate potential future challenges.

Through guided reflection and interactive exercises, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of their personal and professional roadblocks, learn strategies to navigate them, and develop a clear, actionable roadmap toward their destination.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with a renewed sense of direction, empowered to take meaningful steps toward their aspirations. 

Giuseppe Romagnoli is the Country Manager Italy of LANGUAGECERT, former founder and director of International House Ancona and Jesi, and has been at the cutting edge of language education for over 30 years. He is a born innovator and loves ‘thinking outside the box’ and pushing boundaries to test what is possible. Brought up in South Africa but having lived all his adult life in Italy, Giuseppe has experienced the process of business development through language knowledge firsthand! As a qualified life, business and language coach he particularly enjoys helping and encouraging individuals, schools and companies to overcome their obstacles and barriers to maximize their potential.

Register here

14:00 – 15:00

Academic Talk

Integrating Socio-Emotional Learning in the teenage classroom

Speaker: Sylvia Karastathi

This session aims to equip EFL teachers working with teenage learners with effective strategies and tasks targeting the socio-emotional needs of the 21st century classroom. During adolescence students experience significant emotional, social, and cognitive development which can affect them profoundly.

Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills, which are essential for personal and academic success, and it is believed that it can help teenagers go through this sensitive period of their life. Join us to explore how by integrating SEL into our classrooms, we can create a supportive learning environment that promotes holistic growth. 

Dr Sylvia Karastathi is a teacher educator and lecturer with over 10 years of experience in higher education. She is the Head of Teacher Support at LANGUAGECERT, leading on resources and events to support the teaching communities around LANGUAGECERT certifications. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the Ionian University, Greece, Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting, where she co-ordinates the department's graduate teacher development program.