Due to quarantine restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the international scientific event took place online from 22 to 25 November, but the above factors did not affect the outcome of the discussion. During the four-day intensive program, participants of the international online conference "Global Schools Festival" discussed the latest methods of teaching foreign languages, presented practical cases of using game forms of educational activities, shared effective tips for improving the quality of teaching and attended 30 useful webinars. In total, thousands of English teachers and lecturers from around the world joined the constructive dialogue on the Zoom platform. They actively deliberated on the most pressing issues of modern education in universities, schools and inclusive educational environment.
Head of the Council of Young Scientists of the Faculty of Humanities, Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation of the National University "Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic" Anna Pavelieva became an active participant in an international online conference, the purpose of which was to discuss irreversible changes in the educational process of different countries of the world related to the dynamic spread of COVID-19, and to establish a constructive dialogue between scientists and philologists-practitioners in the context of the exchange of state-of-the-art language teaching experience.
36 experienced speakers – teachers, professors of European universities, publishers, textbook authors, heads of leading educational institutions shared innovative experiences of teaching English to different age groups, children with special needs, in various educational environments, in online and offline formats, exchanged effective life hacks to improve the quality of language education in a global pandemic. Experienced lecturers Michael Tomlinson, Joanna Szoke, Anne Robinson, Emily Hird, Leslie Davis, Allen Davenport, Mei-Li Sierra, Brad Bawtinheimer, Greg Wagstaff willingly shared their achievements with representatives of the European scientific community.
The conference participants deliberated on the peculiarities of using anecdotes and humoresques, the use of storytelling techniques in teaching English, discussed topical issues of digital pedagogy, worked out basic grammatical errors and complex grammatical topics, the use of puppet theater in English classes, the need to introduce such a subject as "Oratory" into educational programs to develop speaking skills, the introduction of student-centered learning, presented the main ways to expand students' vocabulary and develop adequate criteria for assessing student performance, the use of game forms and learning technologies in the language environment, encourage students to read original and translated works, etc.
Scientists also highlighted the problems faced by English lecturers around the world – professional burnout, overwork, psychological decline, complete or partial lack of autonomy in making certain decisions in the educational process, work with problem students, social interaction in a global pandemic, the use of distance learning techniques and professional life hacks of a successful English lecturer.
"This conference is extremely useful for teachers and lecturers of English since we had a unique opportunity not only to learn about the latest teaching methods but also to receive practical advice from speakers and communicate with each other. It is worth noting that the webinars can be returned to if necessary or share links with colleagues who were unable to participate in the conference.
During the conversation, we exchanged our own experiences of teaching English during the pandemic, as well as discussed the latest educational practices and real cases. I will certainly share the knowledge gained with colleagues and students," – commented the head of the Council of Young Scientists, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation Anna Pavelieva.
Recently, lecturers of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation of Poltava Polytechnic mastered innovative teaching methods during the ten-day foreign online conference "Global Teachers' Festival", discussed the most popular practical cases of language learning, studied innovative online learning, and the scientist of the Faculty of Humanities presented the experience of cooperation with German universities.
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
