The one-day conference, Teaching for Tomorrow, was successfully held on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at Ignatianum University in Krakow. The event was jointly organised by IATEFL Poland South Region and Ignatianum University, bringing together a diverse group of participants, including pre-service teachers, in-service educators, and EFL methodologists.
Overview of the Event
The conference ran from 9:30 to 16:00 and offered a rich programme focused on the future of English Language Teaching (ELT). Participation was free of charge for both IATEFL members and non-members, which contributed to strong attendance and a vibrant professional atmosphere.
Participants benefited from a range of facilities, including refreshments (tea, coffee, and snacks), networking opportunities, and certificates of attendance. The event also concluded with a closing ceremony and a sponsored prize draw.
Keynote Speakers and Presentations
The conference featured a distinguished line-up of speakers who addressed current trends and innovations in ELT:
- Ron Mukerji explored the role of artificial intelligence as a cognitive partner, highlighting its impact on the development of critical thinking skills.
- Ramon Shindler focused on the concept of memorable teaching, sharing strategies that make lessons engaging and impactful.
- Marcin Demkowicz, founder and CEO of Share the Board, delivered a live demonstration of award-winning educational technology, showcasing practical classroom applications.
- Lucyna Wilinkiewicz-Górniak addressed digital wisdom and 21st-century skills, emphasising the importance of informed and responsible use of technology.
- Michael Doherty presented on multimodal approaches to teaching, demonstrating how diverse input channels can enhance learning.
- Anna Przybyło discussed the balance between accuracy and student agency, offering insights into effective classroom management and learner autonomy.
- Additional contributions were made by Dagmara Panczer, who enriched the programme with further pedagogical perspectives.
Workshops and Practical Sessions
In addition to plenary sessions, participants took part in hands-on workshops, which provided practical tools and strategies for immediate classroom implementation. These sessions included:
- designing and developing custom learning applications, including working with modern tools such as Lovable,
- building digital competences essential for contemporary teaching practice,
- exploring innovative ways to integrate technology into lesson planning.
Key Themes
The conference addressed several key themes relevant to modern ELT:
- AI as a cognitive partner in education
- purpose-driven learning applications
- The use of rhyme and rhythm in language teaching
- digital tools supporting a multimodal approach to teaching and learning
These topics reflected the conference’s forward-looking focus on adapting teaching practices to a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Participants
The event was designed for a broad audience, including:
- pre-service teachers preparing to enter the profession,
- in-service teachers seeking professional development,
- EFL methodologists and teacher trainers.
The diversity of participants contributed to dynamic discussions and a valuable exchange of ideas.
Sponsors and Support
The conference was supported by leading organisations in ELT, including:
- ELT Publishing
- ETTO
- Cambridge
Their involvement made it possible to provide additional resources and prizes for participants. “Teaching for Tomorrow” proved to be an engaging and inspiring event that successfully combined theory with practice. It offered participants valuable insights into emerging trends in ELT, practical tools for classroom use, and opportunities to connect with fellow professionals.
The conference highlighted the importance of innovation, collaboration, and continuous professional development in shaping the future of language education.
