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Pathway to Progress: Empowering Educators for Today’s Classrooms

2025 ELSA France Annual International Conference for Educators

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Saturday, March 15
 

9:00am CET

Tinkering the Future: Design Thinking and Computational Thinking in the Secondary School Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
Discover how the intersection of Design Thinking and Computational Thinking can empower students to tackle complex challenges with creativity and logic. This session explores how these complementary approaches provide a framework for breaking down problems, recognizing patterns, and designing innovative solutions. By integrating both methodologies, educators can inspire students to connect ideas across disciplines—whether they’re analyzing literature, solving scientific problems, or designing real-world projects.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies, hands-on project ideas, and adaptable frameworks to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills across all subjects and grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Jon Santiago

Jon Santiago

American School of Paris
Jon Santiago is the Design and Computer Programming Teacher and FabLab and STEAM Integrator at the American School of Paris.Jon has ten years of experience working with schools, cultural institutions, libraries and community groups to create classes and experiences that are hands-on... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  DESIGN THINKING, Middle School / High School

9:00am CET

How to Champion Comics Making in the Primary classroom (ages 5-7) LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
Are you interested in using and making comics in the classroom, but don’t know where to start? Based on research into children’s comics making, this workshop aimed at KS2 teachers (ages 7-11) will introduce you to creative and engaging ways of making, thinking and learning through comics. Through hands-on activities we will explore how ‘the medium we think in defines what we can see’ (Sousanis, 2015). Each part of this workshop will involve you thinking about the medium of comics through making comics. The language of comics will be explored, and we will look at how the medium of comics work. Through practical drawing activities, participants will have the chance to develop their understanding of how to simplify drawings and use symbols to communicate emotions. We will explore the panel and gutter through drawing and working collaboratively to make a comic strip. Participants will discover the power of drawing and writing for enjoyment and what is unique about comics as an art form.

Speakers
avatar for Helen Jones

Helen Jones

Lecturer in Primary Education, University College London
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  ENGLISH, Primary

9:00am CET

Learning the Rules to Break the Rules: Using Poetic Forms in the Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
Limerick, villanelle, pantoum, sestina. Some forms of poetry come with rules about the subject or theme (odes, elegy) and some come with strict rules about the number of lines, stanzas, rhyme, refrain etc. Choosing a poetic form to explore can be a ‘way in’ for students to begin to understand how important it is to choose words with care. This workshop will look at certain forms in order to ‘have a go’ at producing original poetry that follows well established rules. The aim is for students to develop a more disciplined approach to writing through imitation or pastiche before branching out and developing their own style of writing.
Speakers
avatar for Allison Perkin

Allison Perkin

English Teacher
I have been an English teacher for over thirty years. The first half of my career was spent teaching in British comprehensive schools in Brighton on the Sussex coast. As my children became adults I moved into international education, teaching in Hungary, Spain, Italy, Germany and... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  ENGLISH

9:00am CET

Reading Fluency: strategies to help struggling readers (ages 11-18) LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
Reading Fluency: The missing link in Secondary? (11-18)
Since the pandemic, reading scores have been falling and this is having a significant impact on students' ability to access the secondary curriculum (11-18). Lots of work is done in the primary key stages, however much of this work to help students read falls away as they begin secondary school. Fluency (the bridge between word recognition and language comprehension) is a crucial element of the reading curriculum and can do a lot to catch up struggling older readers.

Aimed at 11-18
Speakers
avatar for Jack Reynolds

Jack Reynolds

English teacher and Head of Year 11, The Charter School East Dulwich, London
My name is Jack Reynolds, I am an English teacher and Head of Year 11 at The Charter School East Dulwich, in south east London. I have worked there for four years, and have been a pastoral leader for 3. Previously, I did the Teach First programme at a school in Kent, where I worked... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

9:00am CET

Reducing the Writing Block - strategies to help students develop their writing skills (ages 11-16) LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
Reducing the writing block
This workshop will focus on increasing student experience of independent practice to enable them to write with more purpose, building stamina through the Key Stages to support better outcomes for all pupils in the classroom. For KS3 students, crafting sentences is key to excellent extended writing. This session will focus on slow writing and modelled sentence writing in KS3 in developing more imaginative and original work whilst developing students ability to edit their work to improve it. At KS4 we will consider a more structured approach to analytical writing and essay planning, supporting students to develop their own arguments.
Age range: KS3/4 (11-16) 
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Coates

Olivia Coates

Faculty Leader for Communications, including Head of English
I am the Faculty Lead for communications at The Charter School East Dulwich, responsible for English, Media, Film and all Modern Foreign Languages. I am also Subject Lead for English. I have been at Charter for 6 years where I have completed both the NPQML and NPQSL and deliver the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

9:00am CET

The Art of the Sentence: Essay Writing through Micro Preparation LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
The Art of the Sentence: Essay Writing through Micro Preparation
Novelist John Banville once described the sentence as the ‘greatest invention of civilization’. In this workshop, we’ll explore the powerful role that sentences play in our ability to construct and explore ideas, specifically in the context of essay writing. We’ll consider a variety of high impact sentence stems, grammatical rules, syntactic structures and phrases that, almost tweezer-like, students can pick up and place in a variety of their responses. When their use is honed through frequent practice and exposure, such stems and syntactic formulations can easily be transferred across multiple texts and age-ranges and, with repeated use, their deployment becomes almost automatic, a kind of stylistic flex that students apply almost without thinking. The workshop will cover a variety of specific examples as well as ideas for teaching and modelling them.

Secondary Ages (11-18) with a focus on 14-16
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Atherton

Andrew Atherton

Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of English, Downe House
Having completed an MA in English Literature as well as a PhD in twentieth-century literature, both funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, I decided to make the jump from university to secondary school teaching. Since then, I’ve taught English to a range of classes... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

9:00am CET

Boosting Scientific Language to Enhance Learning in the Primary Science Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
How can we help young learners grasp and retain essential scientific vocabulary? This engaging workshop, inspired by the Education Endowment Fund's Improving Primary Science report and backed by evidence-based research, will provide practical solutions for supporting vocabulary development in the primary science classroom. We will explore the specific vocabulary challenges students face, introduce effective strategies for vocabulary acquisition and long-term retention, and demonstrate how to create opportunities for repeated, meaningful engagement with key terms. Ideal for educators teaching ages 8-11, this session offers actionable insights to boost student understanding and confidence in science.
Speakers
avatar for Ruth Shallcross

Ruth Shallcross

CPD and Resources Lead, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Ruth worked in North London primary schools for 10 years holding various roles: Ethnic Minority Achievement Leader, Phase Leader, English Leader and Assistant Headteacher. In 2009, she was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status and 2013 she was awarded Primary Science Teacher of the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  SCIENCE, Upper Primary

9:00am CET

Definitions and Differences; Common Speech and Language Disorders in Children FULL
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
This talk included a brief run through of all the common speech, language, fluency and reading disorders in children. It will go through definitions and then what these difficulties look like in the classroom, some simple strategies on how to help and details on how to help your students and their families to access Speech and Language Services in France.

Target audience: Preschool and early primary school teachers, special educators
Speakers
avatar for Marie Robert

Marie Robert

Speech and Language Therapist, Orthophoniste
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  SEN, Primary

9:00am CET

“How do you say that in French?” Using Translanguaging to Enhance Learning FULL
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
This workshop looks at practical ways teachers can use students’ own languages to enhance curricular learning. We will look at different types of multilingual classrooms and present practical activities and strategies for using students’ own languages in the classroom in these different contexts. This will include ideas for teachers who may share their students’ home language(s) and for those who do not. We will also look at strategies for introducing translanguaging practices to students, and for managing the use of home languages in the classroom.
- What is translanguaging and why is it useful for EAL learners?;
- Three types of multilingual classrooms and what strategies can be used for each type;
- Preparing for translanguaging;
- Using translation;
- Using multilingual resources.
                                                       
    







Speakers
avatar for Thomas Beakes

Thomas Beakes

Trainer, The Bell Foundation
I have worked in language education since 2003 and taught English in China, Japan, Ecuador and North Africa. I hold an MA in anthropological linguistics and am CELTA and DELTA qualified. My main areas of interest are international education and teacher development. I have worked as... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  TRANSLANGUAGING, All Ages

9:00am CET

Placing Wellbeing at the Core of Every Classroom FULL
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
This session offers practical, actionable strategies for prioritising wellbeing in your classroom, grounded in the evidence-based PERMAH model from Positive Psychology. These tools, widely tested in international schools, have received consistently positive feedback from both students and staff. The most rewarding moments come when children apply these strategies at home - demonstrating that our wellbeing programmes not only enhance school life, but also equip students with lifelong skills. During the session, there will be opportunities for discussion and
questions. Rhiannon is eager to both share her insights and learn from your experiences.
Speakers
avatar for Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Head of Wellbeing, GlobeEducate
Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco has been a dedicated educator and leader in international schools since 2003, with extensive experience in Italy and the Netherlands. Trained as a teacher in the UK, she has taught both younger students (ages 7-11) and older students (ages 11-18) in Personal... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am CET
  WELLBEING, Primary

10:45am CET

Mastering Science Literacy: Overcoming the Challenges of Reading in Science LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
What makes reading in science so challenging, and how can we help learners succeed? This dynamic workshop delves into the unique demands of scientific texts and equips educators with practical strategies to support developing readers. We'll explore the theory behind the reading process, uncover why science presents specific hurdles, and share proven literacy techniques to enhance comprehension. You'll also get tips on staying up-to-date with engaging non-fiction texts. Perfect for teachers of 8-11 year-olds, this session offers tools to empower students to navigate and excel in science reading.
Speakers
avatar for Ruth Shallcross

Ruth Shallcross

CPD and Resources Lead, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Ruth worked in North London primary schools for 10 years holding various roles: Ethnic Minority Achievement Leader, Phase Leader, English Leader and Assistant Headteacher. In 2009, she was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status and 2013 she was awarded Primary Science Teacher of the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET

10:45am CET

Dive into Dyslexia FILLING
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
This talk will include definitions of what dyslexia is (and isn't) and discussion of an important model explaining how we neurologically learn to read. You'll learn about risk factors, common and less common signs of dyslexia, common comorbidities and what it will really look like in the classroom. We will talk about immediate things you can do to help dyslexic learners in the classroom and the class also includes a case study of a bilingual dyslexic child during 2 years of therapy.

Target audience: Preschool and early primary school teachers, special educators
Speakers
avatar for Marie Robert

Marie Robert

Speech and Language Therapist, Orthophoniste
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  DIVERSE LEARNING, Primary

10:45am CET

Assessing EAL Learners Within the Curriculum LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Assessing English language proficiency effectively is critical to successful EAL provision. This workshop provides practical guidance on assessing EAL learners’ language proficiency using The Bell Foundation’s EAL Assessment Framework for Schools. The Framework is a free tool for supporting learners of English in developing their language within the curriculum. It is designed to be used by subject/homeroom teachers or EAL specialists. Find out more about it and how it can be used to track English language proficiency and set language development targets. This session will cover both the primary and secondary versions of the Framework so teachers from all stages are welcome.
The session will focus on:
- The evidence for thorough and robust EAL assessment;
- An overview of The Bell Foundation EAL Assessment Framework for Schools; Opportunities to use the Framework to assess speaking and writing samples;
- Suggestions for using the Framework to set language development targets; 
- Guidance on collecting evidence for assessment.

   

















Speakers
avatar for Thomas Beakes

Thomas Beakes

Trainer, The Bell Foundation
I have worked in language education since 2003 and taught English in China, Japan, Ecuador and North Africa. I hold an MA in anthropological linguistics and am CELTA and DELTA qualified. My main areas of interest are international education and teacher development. I have worked as... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  EAL, All Ages

10:45am CET

A Vision for English Literature: What Matters in the English Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
A Vision for English Literature: What Matters in the English Classroom

As much philosophical as it is practical, this workshop will attempt to answer one of the most fundamental questions an English teacher can pose: what matters – really matters – in the teaching of literature. Working through a series of assertions, designed to provoke and generate discussion, the workshop will consider what makes the discipline of English distinctly and uniquely English-y. Having explore this question together, the workshop will conclude by considering its practical implication: what does it actually look like to teach in accordance with these proposed disciplinary assumptions?

Secondary Ages (11-18) with a focus on 14-16
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Atherton

Andrew Atherton

Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of English, Downe House
Having completed an MA in English Literature as well as a PhD in twentieth-century literature, both funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, I decided to make the jump from university to secondary school teaching. Since then, I’ve taught English to a range of classes... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

10:45am CET

Creating Comics (ages 5-7) FILLING
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Comics are a fantastic way to get young children engaged in reading and writing. Based on research into children’s comics making, this workshop aimed at KS1 teachers (ages 5-7) will introduce you to creative and engaging ways of making and learning about comics. We will look the relationship between picturebooks and comics and consider how to develop children’s visual literacy. Through practical drawing activities, participants will have the chance to develop their understanding of how to simplify drawings and use symbols to communicate emotions. Participants will learn to fold and make a ‘zine’ (small DIY booklets), and through words and pictures get a chance to create their own mini-comic, an activity they can replicate back in their own classrooms across all subject areas.
Speakers
avatar for Helen Jones

Helen Jones

Lecturer in Primary Education, University College London
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  ENGLISH, Primary

10:45am CET

Writing What is Thought, Felt and Imagined: Practical Strategies for Encouraging Writing LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Until being faced with writing challenges during a recent MA in Creative Writing, I had forgotten just how terrifying writing for someone else to evaluate can be. This workshop will hopefully make the process a little less daunting for students through useful and enjoyable strategies designed to prompt thoughtful written responses. The strategies will remain simple with the aim of reducing the pressure students may feel to produce obscure or totally original content. The purpose is to think about how best to use language to convey what is thought, felt and imagined in clearly expressed and carefully structured compositions.
Speakers
avatar for Allison Perkin

Allison Perkin

English Teacher
I have been an English teacher for over thirty years. The first half of my career was spent teaching in British comprehensive schools in Brighton on the Sussex coast. As my children became adults I moved into international education, teaching in Hungary, Spain, Italy, Germany and... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

10:45am CET

Using Visual Patterns as a Low-Floor / High-Ceiling Activity in Math LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Allowing students to achieve success through accessible activities can help to build confidence in Math class. Presenting a range of difficulty within the same task allows students to have agency over what level they wish to attempt and can inspire them to further challenge themselves.  In this session we will look at some examples of how Visual Patterns can act as an avenue to introduce low floor / high ceiling activities in your classroom.


Target audience: Middle or Upper school teachers--not only math. 
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Heudebourg

Elizabeth Heudebourg

Head of Mathematics, Ermitage IB International School
Elizabeth's first career was as an architect. She holds a Master's degree and a U.S. license and has worked in both the Chicago area and France on projects ranging from luxury private residences to corporate headquarters. This background has provided rich terrain for her current career... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  MATHEMATICS, Middle School / High School

10:45am CET

Oracy for all Subjects LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Oracy

High-quality classroom talk is essential to pupils’ thinking and learning. It is also linked to improvements in reading and writing, and overall attainment. This session looks at how encouraging higher levels of quality discourse, and its associated cognitive development, is not solely an issue for the subject of English. After reviewing the most recent oracy research, we will cover practical ways teachers can promote socratic, dialogic and exploratory talk in the secondary classroom.

ALL teachers. 
Speakers
avatar for Jack Reynolds

Jack Reynolds

English teacher and Head of Year 11, The Charter School East Dulwich, London
My name is Jack Reynolds, I am an English teacher and Head of Year 11 at The Charter School East Dulwich, in south east London. I have worked there for four years, and have been a pastoral leader for 3. Previously, I did the Teach First programme at a school in Kent, where I worked... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  ORACY, Middle School / High School

10:45am CET

Mission Action Planning - The Vision LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
Mission Action Planning - The Vision
This workshop will focus on how to lead your team in creating a shared vision. The Mission Action Planning process will enable teams to reflect on their journey so far, consider their dream scenario (against the nightmare!) and create a specific action for each team member that upholds and embeds the vision across the academic year. The aim is to ensure all staff feel like they are making an impact and contributing to the success of the subject/key stage/team.

NB. It is better if attendees come in pairs / small groups from the same school so that a team discussion can take place for that school. 

Age range: all
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Coates

Olivia Coates

Faculty Leader for Communications, including Head of English
I am the Faculty Lead for communications at The Charter School East Dulwich, responsible for English, Media, Film and all Modern Foreign Languages. I am also Subject Lead for English. I have been at Charter for 6 years where I have completed both the NPQML and NPQSL and deliver the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  PLANNING, All Ages

10:45am CET

Staff Wellbeing: Prioritising Your Needs First FILLING
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
As educators, we often put others' needs before our own—whether it's comforting a distressed student during our limited breaks, stepping in to help an overwhelmed colleague, or struggling to say no to additional tasks despite an already full schedule. This session will explore practical tools and strategies to help you manage the many challenges of your role. Topics will include recognising signs of burnout, reflecting on your own wellbeing, exploring self-care practices, focusing on what you can control, and more. Please note that participation in group discussions is entirely optional; you will not be required to share anything if you prefer to keep it private.
Speakers
avatar for Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Head of Wellbeing, GlobeEducate
Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco has been a dedicated educator and leader in international schools since 2003, with extensive experience in Italy and the Netherlands. Trained as a teacher in the UK, she has taught both younger students (ages 7-11) and older students (ages 11-18) in Personal... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CET
  WELLBEING

1:00pm CET

AI Data Analysis and Prompting Techniques LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Discover how AI-powered tools can revolutionize your approach to spreadsheets, data processing, and analysis in this hands-on workshop designed for educators. Learn practical techniques to streamline workflows, uncover insights, and enhance decision-making with accessible AI integrations, while mastering effective prompting techniques to get the most out of AI tools.
Speakers
avatar for Kevin Mount

Kevin Mount

Maths Department Leader, International School of Paris
Kevin has been teaching mathematics internationally for 10 years. One of his hobbies is following trends in emerging technology and, more recently, artificial intelligence. At the tail end of his Master's degree, he learned how to use AI ethically as a teacher and a student. A frequent... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, All Ages

1:00pm CET

”Why do they never say anything?”: Enhancing Classroom Talk in Multilingual Classrooms FILLING
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Classroom conversation is vital to learning across the curriculum. This workshop will explain why enhancing classroom talk is an important skill for teachers in multilingual contexts. I will share practical activities and resources to help teaching staff develop the classroom talk of multilingual students and explore how staff can adapt their own classroom talk to support learning. Participants will increase their awareness of the types of spoken language needed for successful classroom talk and how to support multilingual learners at different ages and proficiency levels across the curriculum in becoming more effective speakers.
The session will focus on:
- What does enhancing classroom talk involve and why is it necessary?
- The three features of enhanced conversation.
- Examples of activities and resources we can use to enhance conversations for both primary and secondary multilingual learners
- Advice on teacher questioning strategies to enhance classroom conversations
                                                                                                                                                 











Speakers
avatar for Thomas Beakes

Thomas Beakes

Trainer, The Bell Foundation
I have worked in language education since 2003 and taught English in China, Japan, Ecuador and North Africa. I hold an MA in anthropological linguistics and am CELTA and DELTA qualified. My main areas of interest are international education and teacher development. I have worked as... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  EAL, All Ages

1:00pm CET

Reading Comprehension: Addressing the Vocabulary Gap (ages 11-18) LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Vocabulary for Reading (11-18)
The vocabulary gap has a passive impact on student performance at school. Research shows that a student needs to understand 95-98% of the words in a text for unassisted comprehension, but often, students arrive with little understanding of Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary. This workshop will address ways to address the vocabulary gap. 

Ages: 11-18
Speakers
avatar for Jack Reynolds

Jack Reynolds

English teacher and Head of Year 11, The Charter School East Dulwich, London
My name is Jack Reynolds, I am an English teacher and Head of Year 11 at The Charter School East Dulwich, in south east London. I have worked there for four years, and have been a pastoral leader for 3. Previously, I did the Teach First programme at a school in Kent, where I worked... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ENGLISH, Middle School / High School

1:00pm CET

Reading Strategies: reciprocal and echo reading, oracy and cold reads. (ages 11-14) LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Disciplinary Literacy and reading in the KS3 curriculum
This workshop will explore Disciplinary Literacy approaches in the classroom and KS3 curriculum, focusing on reciprocal reading techniques, echo reading and oracy. Explicit teaching of vocabulary is key is exposing students to a wider range of more challenging words, to close the word deficit gap and enable students to tackle more complex texts independently. We will explore whole text reading and the benefits of cold reads, including how intonation, prosody and tone can develop deeper understanding.
Age range: KS3 (11-14)
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Coates

Olivia Coates

Faculty Leader for Communications, including Head of English
I am the Faculty Lead for communications at The Charter School East Dulwich, responsible for English, Media, Film and all Modern Foreign Languages. I am also Subject Lead for English. I have been at Charter for 6 years where I have completed both the NPQML and NPQSL and deliver the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ENGLISH

1:00pm CET

Thinking About the Text: Active Reading Strategies LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
It is perhaps apposite to remember that authors do not usually write in order for students and teachers to unpack their words. The wonderful writer Claire Keegan articulated this in a recent interview: “I can’t explain my work. I just write stories. I’ve never thought about a theme. I never once have. I just think about the text.” As all English teachers are asked time and time again “but how do we know that’s what the author meant? How do we know that word was chosen on purpose?” Of course these questions are valid but nevertheless our job remains: to deliver lessons that help students to “think about the text” in a clear and focused manner through engaging active reading strategies. We need to take time to encourage the skills needed across the curriculum and for future assessments. This workshop will concentrate on how to enable students to understand explicit and implicit meaning and attitudes, select and evaluate what is relevant to specific purposes and how effects are created through authorial choice (whether intentional or not!).  

Target audience: Secondary English
Speakers
avatar for Allison Perkin

Allison Perkin

English Teacher
I have been an English teacher for over thirty years. The first half of my career was spent teaching in British comprehensive schools in Brighton on the Sussex coast. As my children became adults I moved into international education, teaching in Hungary, Spain, Italy, Germany and... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ENGLISH

1:00pm CET

Thinking Through Writing: Using Generative Writing in the English Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Thinking Through Writing: Using Generative Writing in the English Classroom
Students often see writing as the terminus of thinking rather than its starting point. Writing is something that happens after thinking; it is the solidification of something that has already been considered and deliberated. This workshop offers a different way of thinking about and framing student writing. Rather than a record of thinking, writing is the thinking. Focussing specifically on the English classroom, the workshop will explore a series of practical strategies that teachers can deploy in their own practice, all designed to get students thinking hard through writing.

Secondary Ages (11-18) with a focus on 14-16
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Atherton

Andrew Atherton

Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of English, Downe House
Having completed an MA in English Literature as well as a PhD in twentieth-century literature, both funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, I decided to make the jump from university to secondary school teaching. Since then, I’ve taught English to a range of classes... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ENGLISH

1:00pm CET

Using Comics to Support Reading for Pleasure LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
This workshop will explore how to develop a community of comics readers to support children’s engagement with reading for pleasure. Based on research into the setting up and running of a comics library, this workshop examines how comics can develop a positive reading culture in schools. We will consider some of the myths around comics and look at their potential. We will explore what comics ‘are’ and the many different types of comics that are available to readers. The language of comics will be explored, and we will look at how to ‘read’ comics. Finally the workshop will offer practical suggestions for developing your own knowledge of children’s comics and creating your own comics libraries. 

Speakers
avatar for Helen Jones

Helen Jones

Lecturer in Primary Education, University College London
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  ENGLISH, Primary

1:00pm CET

Informing Thinking and Provoking Action Around the UN Sustainable Development Goals FILLING
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
We can contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by informing thinking and provoking meaningful action with our students toward creating a more equitable and sustainable world. By integrating the SDGs into the curriculum, schools can inspire students to critically examine global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality, while encouraging them to take initiative in addressing these issues. Integrating the SDGs not only enriches the curriculum but also empowers students to become proactive, solution-oriented individuals prepared to impact the future positively. We can guide our learners toward becoming global citizens who champion sustainability and equity.















Speakers
avatar for Tim Black

Tim Black

Primary Teacher
Tim Black is an experienced elementary years educator working in Grade 3 at Marymount International School in Paris. With experience in the UK, France, and Asia, Tim is a National Geographic Certified Educator and TeachSDGs ambassador. Keen to re-imagine education and innovate, Tim... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  GLOBAL EDUCATION, Primary

1:00pm CET

The Power of Music in Your Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
This interactive workshop will share the exciting music cognition research of the past 30 years with teachers. Science confirms what many teachers have understood intuitively—music is a powerful mnemonic tool; not only is learning accelerated, but the duration of retention is often life-long. However, memory is only one of the areas influenced by musical practice. Musical practice is a powerful ally for developing language skills and literacy. Language IS musical, and musical practice fine-tunes syllabic and phonetic recognition. Rhythm and mathematics are also linked; early rhythmic entrainment prepares children for success in numeration, fractions, and proportions. Musical practice also develops self-control, interpersonal connection, and focus. These skills have proven to be more important than IQ in longitudinal studies.

My workshop will explain how teachers can use music for:
- classroom calm and transitions
- attention and self-control
- literacy (association of reading and rhythm)
- mathematics
- interpersonal connections

The interactive workshop will demonstrate that even without formal musical training, teachers can bring music to their classrooms with remarkable results.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Koenig

Joan Koenig

Founder and Director, L'Ecole Koenig
Joan Koenig began the piano when she was five years old, in Simi Valley, California. When her family moved to Seattle, Washington, she wanted to join a local youth orchestra, so she needed to learn an orchestral instrument. She chose the flute at the age of nine. She graduated from... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  MUSIC, Primary

1:00pm CET

'Writing Like a Scientist': Strategies to Boost Scientific Understanding and Expression in the Primary Classroom LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
To write with a true scientific voice, primary-aged pupils must grasp both the science they’re exploring and the specific language needed to express it. In this workshop, we’ll explore proven strategies that help students master the complex demands of scientific writing. Drawing on approaches that have delivered outstanding results in various schools, we'll focus on techniques that enhance both scientific comprehension and writing skills. Perfect for educators teaching 8-11 year-olds, this session equips you with practical tools to help your students write like real scientists while deepening their understanding of science concepts.
Speakers
avatar for Ruth Shallcross

Ruth Shallcross

CPD and Resources Lead, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Ruth worked in North London primary schools for 10 years holding various roles: Ethnic Minority Achievement Leader, Phase Leader, English Leader and Assistant Headteacher. In 2009, she was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status and 2013 she was awarded Primary Science Teacher of the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  SCIENCE, Primary

1:00pm CET

The Why and How of Wellbeing in Senior Schools LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Experience has shown that while many students and staff welcome a focus on wellbeing, others remain unconvinced of its necessity or relevance. This session will explore research demonstrating how enhanced wellbeing not only boosts exam performance but also improves students' short and long-term quality of life. I will present a range of practical, evidence-based strategies for integrating wellbeing into your teaching and learning practice, rooted in the evidence-based PERMAH model from Positive Psychology. The session will also include opportunities for discussion and questions, offering a collaborative space to explore these ideas further.
Speakers
avatar for Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco

Head of Wellbeing, GlobeEducate
Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco has been a dedicated educator and leader in international schools since 2003, with extensive experience in Italy and the Netherlands. Trained as a teacher in the UK, she has taught both younger students (ages 7-11) and older students (ages 11-18) in Personal... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm CET
  WELLBEING

2:45pm CET

AI and differentiated learning approaches for scientific investigation LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
Discovery Space is an Erasmus+ funded project to create an innovative approach to differentiated learning using AI. Aided by an AI-driven chatbot, students are guided through learning scenarios on individualized pathways of scientific investigation.  This workshop will feature the learning scenario “Zookeepers of the Galaxy”, which teaches students to train a machine learning algorithm to classify different types of galaxies from the Zooniverse citizen science database.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Gregory

Michael Gregory

DISCOVERY SPACE
Michael Gregory is no stranger to ELSA, and has presented at the TDD numerous times over the years.  After teaching for 16 years in Paris, his focus has now shifted to teacher training and science performance.  He is very active in European teaching networks, as a Scientix ambassador... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, All Ages

2:45pm CET

From Theory to Practice: Applying AI in Education FULL
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
I've spent two years taking a deeper dive into learning as much as I can about Artificial Intelligence. In this session, we will cover highly practical takeaways that you could start integrating into your workflows. This session is for beginners, habitual users, and everybody in between.
Target audience: Educators of students of all ages


Speakers
avatar for Kevin Mount

Kevin Mount

Maths Department Leader, International School of Paris
Kevin has been teaching mathematics internationally for 10 years. One of his hobbies is following trends in emerging technology and, more recently, artificial intelligence. At the tail end of his Master's degree, he learned how to use AI ethically as a teacher and a student. A frequent... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

2:45pm CET

Cognitive Science in the Classroom: What is Dual Coding and How Can it Help? LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
At its simplest, dual coding is teaching using words and visuals; using verbal and visual materials at the same time. But what makes it work so well, and in what circumstances and contexts? What is computational efficiency, and how does it relate to learning and building an understanding?


In this session, we’ll examine some of the research underpinning Dual-Coding Theory. We’ll consider some examples from teaching Geography and History that worked beautifully, as well as why some others didn’t, and aim to make sure you leave ready to dual-code in your classroom.

Target audience: Humanities but could work for any subject
Speakers
avatar for Benjamin Ranson

Benjamin Ranson

Middle School Well-being Lead, Ermitage IB International School
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  COGNITION, Middle School / High School

2:45pm CET

How do Children Learn to Help, Share and Comfort? Understanding Prosocial Development and Challenges LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
Helping, sharing and comforting behaviors are observed in children in the first two years of life. What happens afterwards? This session will explore how developing attentional and behavior control capabilities, as well as social development, come into play in modulating prosocial behavior.  Prosocial behavior is present all around us, in and outside the classroom, and gaining a better understanding of what comes into play can help educators feel comfortable implementing social and emotional regulation strategies for their students.

Target audience: Teachers and educators PreK-12th grade, including teachers focused on special support needs.
Speakers
avatar for Lucie Rose

Lucie Rose

Neuropsychologist & Postdoctoral researcher
I am a clinical neuropsychologist and researcher with a specialization in children and adolescents. I hold a PhD in Psychology from Université Paris Cité and an MA from ESCP Business School. My research centers on social cognitive development and prosocial behavior. I am deeply... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  DIVERSE LEARNING

2:45pm CET

Leading for Linguistic Inclusion: Creating an Inclusive Language Policy for your School LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
A language policy that confidently describes your school’s identity and clearly articulates what that means to staff (and students) can be a powerful foundation for building an inclusive school culture that allows plurilingual pupils to thrive. This workshop will provide practical guidance for creating, revising, and evaluating a school language policy as a tool for developing more inclusive and effective English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision. We will examine what types of information a language policy could include and explore how each area might help address academic, social, linguistic, and attitudinal inclusivity. Lastly, we will introduce a framework for evaluating a language policy in terms of inclusion and ensuring that it acts as an effective means to achieving impactful EAL provision in your setting.
The session will focus on:
- The rationale for having a language policy;
- Practical suggestions for areas to cover in an inclusive policy;
- The four dimensions of inclusion for EAL (as per Evans et al., 2020); Evaluating the inclusivity and effectiveness of a language policy;
- Ideas for applying this information and taking action in your own setting.
                                                       
    







Speakers
avatar for Thomas Beakes

Thomas Beakes

Trainer, The Bell Foundation
I have worked in language education since 2003 and taught English in China, Japan, Ecuador and North Africa. I hold an MA in anthropological linguistics and am CELTA and DELTA qualified. My main areas of interest are international education and teacher development. I have worked as... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  EAL, All Ages

2:45pm CET

Unlocking Creativity: Building Confident and Engaged Writers LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
We’ve all encountered moments where students hesitate to begin their writing, unsure of how to express their ideas. This workshop, aimed at upper primary but adaptable for all year levels, offers practical strategies to build students' confidence and excitement in writing. Through creative approaches, you’ll explore how to develop students’ vocabulary and language choices, empowering them to craft meaningful and engaging texts.


By the end of this workshop, you will have tools to foster confident writers who make purposeful language choices and show clear development in their work. You’ll be excited to read their diverse and creative writing, no matter the text type!











Speakers
avatar for Electra Joyce

Electra Joyce

Electra worked in Australia as a primary classroom teacher and then as a mathematics teacher in a secondary behavioral unit before heading to the Uk. She worked for 5 years in Hounslow, London, an area known for its high levels of ESL students where she received regular training from... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  ENGLISH, Upper Primary

2:45pm CET

Developing an Explorer Mindset LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
Developing an explorer mindset in students is crucial for equipping them to navigate and address the complex challenges of the modern world. Teaching students to become explorers develops curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, enabling them to seek knowledge and engage deeply with the world around them. When empowered, students can investigate global issues, explore diverse cultures, and analyze environmental challenges, all while developing the problem-solving skills necessary to make a positive impact. By nurturing this mindset, we can empower students to become thoughtful, informed, and innovative leaders of tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Tim Black

Tim Black

Primary Teacher
Tim Black is an experienced elementary years educator working in Grade 3 at Marymount International School in Paris. With experience in the UK, France, and Asia, Tim is a National Geographic Certified Educator and TeachSDGs ambassador. Keen to re-imagine education and innovate, Tim... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  GLOBAL EDUCATION, Primary

2:45pm CET

Maths Beyond 'cute' Activities, Worksheets and Rote Learning for our Youngest Learners LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
This session will explore the mathematical ideas and processes that are important for young learners and the resources, structures and routines that might be used to help children make sense of such abstract concepts. A wonderful opportunity for us to share our practices to consider how mathematics can enhance children's play, and embed a playful approach when investigating the mathematics that surrounds us in authentic ways.
Speakers
avatar for Sean Walker

Sean Walker

Early Years Teacher, International School of Paris
Sean is an advocate of playful, conceptual and inquiry-based learning. With nearly 30 years of classroom experience, Sean has worked in the UK, USA and now Paris, France. He is currently teaching Early Learners (3 and 4 year olds) at the International School of Paris after teaching... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  MATHEMATICS, Early Years

2:45pm CET

Storytelling Essentials: interviewing & reporting for podcasting LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
In this workshop, we’ll dive into the world of reporting and interviewing for audio storytelling. Podcasts are one of the most popular media formats among young people and offer a creative approach to teaching and learning, from encouraging language learners to engaging hard to reach students. Teachers will practice interviewing for audio while the News Decoder team demonstrates basic audio production techniques to use in the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Maria Krasinski

Maria Krasinski

Managing Director, News Decoder
Maria joined News Decoder in July 2021 managing operations and partnerships. An ardent believer in the values of global citizenship, she’s worked in experiential education, youth media and cultural diplomacy and has facilitated cross-border exchanges for hundreds of youth and professionals... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  MEDIA LITERACY AND PODCASTING, Middle School / High School

2:45pm CET

The Science Curriculum and Eco-Anxiety LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
The young people we teach are growing up in a world where the impact of the Anthropocene is evident. It is essential that as educators we support children to navigate this time of change by equipping them with the facts but also with emotional resilience. Climate change education is an emerging pedagogical field which is rapidly evolving. This session will share approaches to embedding climate psychology principles into a science unit of work. This session draws on Ruth’s research project from her MA Science Education at UCL.
Speakers
avatar for Ruth Shallcross

Ruth Shallcross

CPD and Resources Lead, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Ruth worked in North London primary schools for 10 years holding various roles: Ethnic Minority Achievement Leader, Phase Leader, English Leader and Assistant Headteacher. In 2009, she was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status and 2013 she was awarded Primary Science Teacher of the... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  Science, Primary

2:45pm CET

S.T.E.M. Builders: integrating Engineering Practices to Your Daily Content LIMITED
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education offers a unique experience for all learners. S.T.E.M. allows students to explore new ideas, create products to improve everyday life, and reflect on the impact these products have on everyday life. These avenues encourage a thematic approach that serves the whole child. But what if your school does not offer a S.T.E.M. style education? Each day, we ask our students to explore, create, and reflect. As teachers, we must do the same. In this workshop, you will participate in small activities to help you begin or improve S.T.E.M. in your classroom through reflective practice, project- based learning, and content integration. 
Speakers
avatar for Christopher Fox

Christopher Fox

S.T.E.M. Coach, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary School
Hello! I am an elementary S.T.E.M. Coach in Rocky Hill, Connecticut (USA). I have a passion to provide an equal and equitable education for all students. Teaching S.T.E.M. allows me to provide students with experiences that foster creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:45pm - 4:00pm CET
  STEM/SCIENCE, All Ages