A case study of taking a Spanish department in an outstanding school from a negative progress 8 score to a positive. A session for current and aspiring middle leaders focusing on practical ways to raise standards. Presented by Jo Webb, Trust Lead for MFL at Archway Learning Trust, a MAT in the East Midlands, teaching for nearly a decade including as Head of Spanish and Head of MFL.

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is expanding across Europe, offering schools new ways to connect subject learning and language development. This talk will share practical insights for school leaders, teachers and teacher educators seeking to develop or strengthen CLIL provision, drawing on the outcomes of a recent workshop co-led by the British Council and France Éducation international with representatives from 14 countries. The session will explore common implementation challenges, frame them within the British Council’s wider position on language-responsive education, and offer concrete strategies to support inclusive, sustainable CLIL programmes that maximise learning outcomes for students. Presented by George Wilson, Head of English and School Education for the British Council in France with over 20 years of experience as a teacher and a teacher educator.”

How can we move beyond teaching culture as fixed facts and instead engage learners with culture as something dynamic, lived, and interpreted? This session explores how short films can transform language teaching by placing culture at the heart of learning. Combining theoretical discussion and research insights with practical classroom examples, participants will discover how cinema can challenge stereotypes, foster intercultural understanding, and create meaningful engagement with language. The session will offer concrete strategies for using short films to develop critical thinking, cultural awareness, and student voice in both primary and secondary language classrooms. Presented by Muriel Huet, former Head of French at Lampton School in London, Director of Épelle-Moi South Africa, a multilingual spelling bee programme promoting Francophonie, literacy, multilingualism, and social inclusion, including initiatives for refugee and migrant communities across Southern Africa. She is also the founder of Cinema TAKE, an initiative supporting youth filmmaking, and currently teaches French and Francophone Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), where she is completing a PhD on the use of film in language education.

Employability has been a cross-cutting theme in the Scottish primary curriculum since 2015. In this seminar, you will hear different ways that primary teachers in Scotland have successfully brought together languages and employability skills in their teaching. We will share a free digital teaching resource from Scotland’s National Centre for Languages that was designed for primary teachers by primary teachers. You will learn about the full suite of Scottish Languages Employability Awards and some of the impressive work for which primary schools in Scotland have been recognised in recent years. Presented by Lynne Jones and Karen Faulds, Professional Development Officers at Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) in Glasgow. Before joining SCILT, they taught in primary schools in different areas of Scotland.

This session showcases the collaborative work of the Creativity in MFL Special Interest Group, highlighting best practice from colleagues, members of the group, who integrate authentic resources, creative tasks and meaningful assessment directly into schemes of learning and not as an add-on. Drawing on classroom examples across different languages, the session demonstrates how creative, real‑world materials boost engagement, motivation and confidence – even for reluctant linguists. We also explore how creativity can align with GCSE expectations showing how these approaches strengthen progression and improve uptake at GCSE and A level. Presented by Juliette Claro, teacher of languages for over 25 years who teaches in a large comprehensive school and is also a senior lecturer in education at St Mary’s University London specialising in the PGCE MFL and iQTS. Juliette co‑chairs the Creativity in MFL Special Interest Group.

This session explores practical, engaging ways to take language learning beyond the classroom and into the outdoors. Drawing on the speaker’s experiences, this session shares activities that develop language skills through movement, nature, creativity and collaboration. While the examples come from the primary languages classroom, all ideas can be adapted for younger children or older learners, making outdoor language learning accessible, memorable and enjoyable for a wide range of ages. Presented by Lisa Stevens, a primary languages educator in the Birmingham area and a former member of ALL Council.

Get to grips with both the theory and the practical behind how and why the humble mini-whiteboard can be effectively used in language lessons. Hear how their use can encourage engagement, boost confidence and allow you to assess progress in a manageable way. You’ll come away with ideas you can implement into your practice straight away with little to no preparation but with maximum impact. Presented by Kate Percival, a specialist in primary languages education with extensive experience as a teacher, consultant and CPD leader.

Central planning has become a key part of classrooms across the country, but great teaching still depends on expert decisions in the moment. No resource can know pupils as well as their teacher. In this session, Alice Harrison, Subject Lead for Languages at Oak National Academy, an arms-length body of the DfE funded to create full resources curriculum and lessons for languages which are available to all teachers and are completely free, explores how Oak’s lesson resources can be adapted to meet pupils’ needs, strengthen understanding, and optimise learning. Drawing on practical classroom examples, the session will show how teachers can use high-quality resources flexibly, making thoughtful choices about pace, explanation, practice, and support so every lesson works for the pupils in front of them.

Language anxiety continues to undermine learner engagement and attainment among adolescents navigating high-stakes assessment and peer scrutiny. Drawing on expertise from a range of settings we explore collaborative, inclusive, evidence-informed strategies for reducing barriers in the languages classroom. With experience in teaching cross-sector MFL as teachers, link tutors in teacher training, and as mental health first aiders, this session will advocate for creative, engaging, authentic and relational pedagogical approaches that foster trust, collaboration and reduce the fear in language learning. Drawing on best practice we highlight the importance of low-stakes oracy, creative approaches to develop learners’ autonomy and sense of efficacy to mitigate anxiety, synthesising effective strategies which emphasises the role of the collaborative, forward-thinking teacher to consider and develop within their school and across their departments for the benefit of all learners. Presented by Crista Hazell, ALL Development Manager with over 20 years experience in UK schools, Juliette Claro, Lecturer in Education at St Mary’s University with 25 years experience in UK and International schools and Fanny Hory, an English teacher in Paris in a secondary school for more than 20 years.

Dual coding is a learning strategy based on the idea that information is processed through both verbal and visual channels. By combining carefully selected words and visuals, teachers can support understanding, memory and retrieval. Effective dual coding is more than adding pictures to a slide; visuals must directly represent the content being learned and reduce cognitive load. In language learning, dual coding can help students make stronger connections between vocabulary, grammar and meaning, leading to improved recall and retention. Presented by Raul Ramirez, secondary Spanish teacher at the Regis School in Bognor Regis with around 10 years of experience in education including five years as a Head of Department.

Generative AI can now produce translations, written responses, vocabulary explanations and even spoken interactions in seconds. As these tools become increasingly accessible, language teachers face a new challenge: how do we design learning that still requires learners to think? This practical session explores classroom strategies that move beyond simply generating answers. Through a range of examples covering speaking, listening, reading and writing, participants will discover how AI can be used to support reflection, reasoning, creativity and communication. Teachers will leave with classroom-ready ideas that place thinking, rather than task completion, at the heart of language learning. Presented by Jérôme Nogues, teacher of languages for over 20 years, founder & manager of global MFL competitions for schools Poésíæ and Poésíært, author, YouTuber, podcaster and edtech/AI enthusiast.

Full of practical tips and ideas for making meaningful links with schools around the world, this session will focus on the importance of building international links for making language learning meaningful and the key role that trips abroad can play in this, even for primary language learners. Presented by Ellie Chettle Cully, Languages and International Lead, teaching French at a Leicester primary school.

In a context shaped by curriculum pressures and standardisation, Language Educator Online (LEO) offers practical, classroom-focused professional learning that re-centres the purpose of language education. Developed by the NCLE with leading experts such as Bernardette Holmes and Clare Allison, LEO supports teachers in delivering inclusive, meaningful language teaching. The platform helps teachers value pupils’ full linguistic repertoires, including Home, Heritage, and Community Languages, and embed intercultural and globally informed perspectives. Through flexible, self-paced modules, LEO provides strategies that are immediately transferable to the classroom. This session presented by Maud Waret, senior curriculum developer and project coordinator at the NCLE, introduces how LEO can support both early career and experienced teachers in moving beyond surface-level inclusion towards genuinely equitable practice, strengthening pupil engagement while enhancing teacher confidence and professional agency.

Find out how to build up the use of target language in the primary languages classroom in an accessible and purposeful way for both pupils and staff. Aimed at specialist and non-specialist primary languages teachers, this session is an honest guide to what is achievable when it comes to using the target language with many tips, strategies and resources you can take away straight into your own classroom. Presented by Emilie Woodroffe, a French language teacher who now delivers primary languages as a specialist in two schools and supports and runs a team of primary language teachers who work in over 30 network schools.

Metacognition is frequently cited as a high-impact approach, but what does it actually look like in a modern languages classroom? This practical session explores how teachers can help students plan, monitor and evaluate their learning during listening, reading, speaking and writing activities. Drawing on evidence-informed practice and classroom examples, attendees will see how metacognitive strategies can be embedded within everyday teaching rather than taught as an add-on. Participants will leave with practical approaches to develop more reflective, independent and successful language learners while maintaining a strong focus on curriculum content and language acquisition. Presented by Nathan Burns, aka Mr Metacognition, the author of four books on metacognition, formerly a classroom practitioner in several roles across schools in the East Midlands who now works full-time in delivering high-quality metacognitive training and change support.

This session will focus on how to use digital tools to create a language lab in your classroom at KS3 to reinforce language acquisition and develop independence in all students while tackling adaptive teaching features. The session will be fully practical and will show how to use AI tools to create scaffolded listening material for all learners. Presented by Esmeralda Salgado, Head of MFL at Princes Risborough School, Lead Practitioner at Insignis Trust who has taught languages for over 20 years from KS2 to KS5.

I will introduce practical ways to adapt lessons for all learners, whilst keeping the challenge real. Easy ways to produce accessible materials and running the classroom to enable everyone to enjoy the language learning experience and achieve real success. Presented by Kerry Yates, teacher of French and German at secondary schools in the UK for almost 30 years and experienced and successful Head of MFL, now a part-time LEA adviser in the south of England, visiting schools and supporting curriculum development and teaching and learning.

This is a hands-on CPD workshop that gives language teachers practical, creative tools to boost student motivation and confidence. Michaël shares poems and raps, showcases methods, as well as student work and feedback. In turn, participants write and share their own poems, explore how rap, spoken word and translation can unlock expression in the target language, and leave with ready-to-use strategies for KS3–5. Fun, purposeful, and immediately applicable. A Head of Department from a previous session called it “a breath of fresh air.” Presented by Michaël Vidon, Head of French at Seaford Head Academy who runs multilingual creative projects and collaborates with the Institut Français and the EU.

Motivation in MFL isn’t just about getting pupils to talk – it’s about helping them feel that their voices matter. Does your curriculum engage every learner, including quieter and more reflective pupils? Does it reflect the richness and diversity of the global Spanish- and French-speaking worlds? This thought-provoking session explores how rethinking the stories, cultures, and perspectives at the heart of MFL can transform engagement, build confidence, and empower pupils as culturally aware global citizens. Gain practical strategies to diversify schemes of work, develop pupil agency, and create a classroom where every learner can thrive. Presented by Sohelie Zafar, who has a decade of teaching experience in some of London’s most diverse and dynamic secondary schools. Formerly Head of Languages for five years, she now develops free teaching resources and delivers CPD for language teachers globally.

This session explores the role of translanguaging in enhancing learners’ motivation in heritage language classrooms in England. Heritage language learners often face limited opportunities to use the target language outside school, which can affect their engagement and motivation. Using an ethnographic approach, the study presented in this talk examines how translanguaging influences learners’ participation, confidence, willingness to communicate, and sense of belonging. It also investigates how drawing on learners’ full linguistic repertoires can create more inclusive learning environments and support identity development. The findings aim to provide practical insights for heritage language teachers and supplementary schools. Presented by Parvaneh Delavari, a Deputy Headteacher and teacher at a supplementary school with extensive experience in assessment and developing Persian resources for GCSE and A-Level students who is currently undertaking a PhD at Middlesex University, where her research focuses on translanguaging in Persian heritage language classrooms.

Join The National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) to hear how you can develop your curriculum responding to the new Programme of Study, meeting the challenges of the White Paper and the new Ofsted Framework. Find out more about strategic learning networks in your area and how they can support your professional learning and career advancement. Refresh your teaching through our National Priority Projects bringing innovation to your local communities. Busy teachers need accessible learning – engage with Language Educators Online where you will access current developments and enrich your practice. Become part of a thriving national network of dedicated language teachers strengthening languages leadership across the country. Presented by Bernardette Holmes MBE, Honorary Professor and Director of the NCLE and colleagues.

In this session Kerry Bevan, Senior Lecturer in Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University leading PGCE Secondary Languages, and Tracy Williams, Trent and Tame Network lead, working as part of the NCLE supporting language teachers in Birmingham, Stoke and Staffordshire, will share details of three programmes they have launched across the West Midlands and Wales bringing primary schools, secondary schools and universities together. Join them as they share ideas and resources to show children that learning another language isn’t just about words. It’s a way to develop confidence, to build connections and to explore new opportunities.

Practical MFL teaching suggestions from Witold Wozniak, a regular and very popular speaker at the Language Show who has built a career in education focused on languages, running international projects, and mentoring teachers. He has worked as a Lead Practitioner, Lead Teacher for Primary Languages in Kingston, Head of French, and exam board associate.

Join this practical workshop by Erica Sánchez, a Head of Languages based in Barnsley who teaches Spanish at A-Level, French at GCSE and German at KS3., exploring inclusive and adaptive teaching in MFL. Discover effective strategies to support SEND and lower-attaining learners, scaffold learning without reducing challenge, and build confidence and participation for all students. Through practical examples and activities, you will gain manageable approaches to meeting diverse learner needs that can be implemented immediately. Leave with adaptable scaffolding frameworks, practical classroom techniques, and clear strategies to help every learner succeed in the language classroom.

In this presentation, we will explore how to revolutionise your lessons by creating with Genially’s AI Builder. You will discover how to instantly transform simple text prompts into highly engaging, interactive content without writing a single line of code. Presented by Marie Allirot, a native French speaker with a 25 year career teaching languages in UK schools. Marie is also a Genially ambassador who has conducted webinars on gamification since August 2020.

Discover practical AI workflows that can support lesson planning, resource creation, listening, speaking, reading and assessment. Using real classroom examples, Joe Dale will demonstrate how a single idea can be transformed into multiple engaging language-learning activities. Along the way, he will share strategies for maintaining teacher oversight, reducing workload and making informed decisions about the effective and responsible use of AI in the languages classroom.

Storytelling lies at the heart of language learning, engaging learners emotionally while developing linguistic and cultural understanding. Explore a range of literary texts, poems and songs in French, German and Spanish and discover how to use them to motivate students, strengthen grammatical knowledge and improve their ability to infer meaning from unfamiliar texts. This session will demonstrate how authentic texts can enrich cultural capital, meet National Curriculum expectations and support the demands of the new GCSE specifications, including the literature element of the WJEC specification. Suitable for primary and secondary MFL teachers. Presented by Wendy Adeniji, a teacher, trainer, author of language teaching resources who has been a principal of two secondary schools and a teacher of French in a primary school. She has previously inspected for Ofsted.

This session will showcase ideas for physical and interactive classroom activities to boost the children’s knowledge and understanding of grammar. Tried and tested ideas, such as Word Class Sprints, The Human Negatives Game and Rainbow Conjugation Rap, are a source of huge enjoyment and rich learning for the children. The Languages Programmes of Study for KS2 state that children should “understand basic grammar” including “the conjugation of high-frequency verbs”. This session will provide everything you need to help you guide your learners on the way to achieving this. Presented by Julie Prince, who has been teaching languages for 30 years, specialising in primary languages for the last 25 and has worked as a Primary Languages Consultant and County Adviser for Languages in Hampshire.

With language learning no longer part of the Ebacc and languages courses ceasing, we have to look at how we engage and hook learners in to the joy of language learning so that we grow excitement, curiosity, awe and wonder about languages purposefully and enrich our curricular along the way with the sense of ‘I can do it’ and ‘I want to do it’, boosting engagement, joy, learner efficacy as well as output. Presented by Crista Hazell, a Specialist Leader in Education for MFL and ALL’s Development Manager, Crista will share research and link this to tried and test strategies from classrooms she works in around the world.

An exploration of how film can be used to supplement teaching A Level French. A spotlight on different films and their suitability for exploring certain topics from the course, specific grammar points, and also strategies to support pupils with developing their analytical skills. Presented by Sarah Jones, Head of MFL at The Regis School in Bognor Regis.

Discover how digital platforms can support independent learning, increase student engagement and accelerate progress in languages. This session will explore practical strategies for using technology to provide personalised feedback, promote regular retrieval and encourage students to take ownership of their learning. Through classroom examples, you will see how carefully selected platforms can boost motivation, improve accountability and help learners build the confidence and fluency needed for long-term success at KS3, KS4 and KS5. Presented by Wendy Adeniji, a teacher, trainer, author of language teaching resources who has been a principal of two secondary schools, and Jill Snook, Faculty Leader of Modern Foreign Languages at Monmouth Comprehensive School with over 30 years teaching experience.

Graphic novels can be a powerful way to engage language learners and support reading comprehension. In this practical session, Joe Dale will demonstrate how AI can help teachers create illustrated graphic novels from simple story ideas. Attendees will discover how to develop, refine and adapt stories whilst exploring ways to increase motivation, personalise content and support learners through visual storytelling. The session will also highlight the importance of reviewing and refining AI-generated content.

Presented by Rosemary Reid, Languages Subject Lead at UK teacher training provider Best Practice Network and formerly, 20 years teaching languages as Head of Department, this is a session about how she moved a Y11 class from grade U to grade 6-8 within a year. Lots of practical tips and how to focus lessons to motivate, re-engage pupils with learning French and Spanish.

Food is a powerful gateway to language, culture and communication. This session explores how cooking-based activities can create meaningful opportunities for multilingual learning in primary classrooms. Drawing on practical classroom examples and resources developed for young learners, participants will discover how food can support vocabulary acquisition, speaking confidence, intercultural understanding and family engagement. The session will showcase ways to connect languages with real-world experiences, encourage creativity and curiosity, and build strong foundations for a lifelong love of languages. Presented by Jérôme Nogues, teacher of languages for over 20 years and creator of Le Club des Petits Gourmands, a multilingual language-learning project that combines food, culture and communication to inspire young learners. He is also the founder & manager of global MFL competitions for schools Poésíæ and Poésíært, author, YouTuber, podcaster and edtech/AI enthusiast.

According to the 2011 census, Urdu is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the UK, with Arabic as the 7th most commonly spoken language in UK. This session begins with an overview of features of right-to-left scripted languages (Urdu, Arabic, Farsi). The gap between materials and students’ needs is presented next. The session continues with strategies and activities to motivate students and concludes with principles which should inform the teaching and learning of right-to-left scripted languages. Presented by Naeema Hann, Emeritus Reader at Leeds Beckett University and currently Co-Chair for the National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults.

Many students struggle to see the relevance of language learning beyond examinations. This webinar is designed for teachers who want to help students understand the real-world value of languages and increase motivation, uptake and progression. We will explore the latest evidence on employability and career benefits, sectors actively seeking language skills, and what employers and recruiters say about multilingual candidates. The session will also highlight university pathways, Erasmus opportunities, gap years and work experience abroad, student case studies, and business language enrichment qualifications that can be studied alongside or instead of ‘A’ Levels. Participants will leave with practical ideas and resources to help students make informed decisions about their future. Presented by Juliet Park, who has over 20 years experience as a Director of MFL and HoD and is a trainer, advisor and consultant supporting schools to raise engagement, motivation and achievement in language learning.

Discover how a carefully sequenced, evidence-informed KS3 curriculum can develop genuine mastery and provide a strong foundation for success at KS4. This session explores how a “less is more” approach enables students to secure high-frequency vocabulary, key grammatical structures and communicative fluency through sustained practice and revisiting. Through practical examples, you will see how schools are using mastery-focused curriculum design to improve retention, build confidence and maintain motivation across the full ability range, while preparing students for the demands of the new AQA, Edexcel and WJEC GCSE specifications. Presented by Wendy Adeniji, a teacher, trainer, author of language teaching resources who has been a principal of two secondary schools, Alexandra Havers who has worked as Assistant Headteacher for 15 years in 3 different schools leading on many areas and specialising in curriculum and assessment, and Ben Powell, Head of Languages at the Manor Academy, Nottinghamshire.

Many EAL/multilingual learners spend months feeling invisible in the classroom. Yet, with the right support, they can flourish academically and socially. This session shares practical strategies that build confidence, independence and academic language for EAL/multilingual learners. Through real examples, participants will explore how translanguaging, visual approaches, adaptive learning and AI can remove barriers and create classrooms where every learner thrives. Suitable for primary and secondary teachers, EAL leaders and inclusion practitioners. Presented by Iva Miteva, linguist and EAL specialist who has been teaching and working with EAL pupils from different countries and backgrounds for over 18 years and who has led and managed the provision for EAL pupils in a number of prep and secondary schools in London.

What makes a good song in the Spanish class? Do you want to know how to integrate song, dance, and movement into Spanish lessons in motivating, meaningful ways? This practical, research‑informed, session supports creative, dynamic approaches to language learning. Participants will examine varied pedagogical approaches and consider how different song types—bespoke, traditional, contemporary, or thematic—can support goals such as vocabulary acquisition, intercultural understanding, and phonological awareness. The session will also demonstrate how digital tools can enhance music‑based learning through personalised and creative activities. Presented by Marina Saez Lecue, Associate Advisor for International Languages at Central South Consortium in Wales who supports the teaching of international languages in the Welsh Curriculum.

This session explores how Canva connects language and culture by empowering language educators to design visually engaging, culturally authentic, and interactive teaching materials. Participants will learn to create activities and assessments using Canva’s tools, grounded in research-informed practices, to enhance language retention, student engagement, and classroom innovation. There will be time for participants to explore and create/ collaborate with peers. Presented by Noemí Rodríguez-Grimshaw, a US-based veteran language educator who specialises in language curriculum, assessment design, technology integration, reading and communication strategies.

What if a single text could become an illustrated storybook, a narrated listening activity and a set of engaging comprehension tasks? In this practical session, Joe Dale will demonstrate how AI can help teachers transform curriculum-aligned texts into rich multimodal learning resources. Attendees will discover ways to support reading, listening, accessibility and creativity whilst adapting content for different ages and proficiency levels. The session will showcase a complete workflow that maximises the value of a single text whilst keeping teachers firmly in control.

This practical webinar explores formative and summative assessment strategies tailored to MFL including – how to use multiple choice and hinge questions to uncover misconceptions and close gaps – how to act on assessment data through question level analysis – how to streamline your workload without sacrificing insight. Presented by Alexandra Havers who works as a Subject Improvement Lead for a large MAT, having previously worked as Assistant Headteacher for 15 years in 3 different schools. Alex is also a Specialist Leader of Education in MFL.

This presentation explores how teachers can help GCSE linguists move beyond the prescribed vocabulary list while developing the skills needed for improving grades, moving to further study and developing real-world communication. Through practical examples from French, German and Spanish, we will examine strategies for stretching higher-attaining learners, enriching language through authentic materials and cultural content, and promoting greater creativity and independence. The session will also highlight key messages from recent AQA examiner feedback, identifying common pitfalls and successful approaches. Participants will leave with practical, classroom-ready ideas to increase challenge, engagement and attainment. Presented by Juliet Park, who has over 20 years experience as a Director of MFL and HoD and is a trainer, advisor and consultant supporting schools to raise engagement, motivation and achievement in language learning.

This session is aimed at MFL teachers and looks at time-saving ways to think about lesson planning, ensuring that teachers are able to spend their time efficiently; thinking about student progress and the learning journey rather than wasting energy on time-consuming task creation. Lots of practical tips to save time, including an introduction to the SentenceCraft platform which supports teachers’ planning and helps them to create adaptive activities instantly. Presented by Beth Muten, teacher of French and Spanish and a Head of Year at Our Lady’s Catholic College in Lancaster.

Find out how the Spanish Embassy Education Office can support your work as a Spanish teacher through a variety of free resources and professional development opportunities. Learn about classroom materials and publications, online and in-person CPD, immersion and training programmes in Spain. Presented by Eva Alcayde, Education Adviser at the Spanish Embassy Education Office.

This session explores how AI and digital technologies can be embedded throughout the MFL curriculum to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. It will showcase practical examples of AI-generated podcasts, videos and curriculum resources that increase language exposure and engagement, alongside innovative approaches to providing personalised feedback on speaking and writing through AI tools and Copilot Agents. The focus is not simply on saving time, but on improving student outcomes, supporting independent learning and creating sustainable workflows that enable teachers to deliver high-quality feedback and targeted support at scale. Presented by Samantha Arfield, Head of Spanish and member of the Digital Learning & Teaching team at St John the Baptist School, Woking.

Presented by Stella Nocera and Stefania Cocco, teachers of Italian to adults, teenagers and children for 15 years, this talk will showcase practical examples from a new Italian language learning book for children aged 5–9 they have co-authored, drawing directly on classroom experience in both mainstream primary schools and extracurricular language programmes. Participants will leave with ideas and strategies for introducing Italian to young learners through meaningful, enjoyable, and accessible activities, as well as a deeper understanding of how carefully designed children’s literature can support language development.

Presented by Neetu Sadhwani, Head of MFL faculty at Avanti House Secondary school and Subject Lead for Languages at Harrow Collegiate Alliance, she won the 2024 Tes award for Best Subject Leader. In this talk, Neetu highlights the initiatives and teaching approaches her teams employ to raise the profile of languages within their schools and broader community by promoting how learning languages enrich diversity, embrace cultural differences and foster a more inclusive environment for students.

The transition from GCSE to A-Level can be daunting for students, with increased linguistic demands, greater expectations of independence and significant variation in prior attainment. Presented by Marie Massé, a French and Spanish teacher with extensive classroom and leadership experience who has served as Head of Languages, Subject Leader for French, Trust Lead for MFL and consultant for secondary MFL, this session explores practical strategies to support students through this crucial stage, helping them develop the habits, routines and mindset required for success. Drawing on classroom experience and evidence-informed practice, Marie will share approaches to narrowing the gap between learners, fostering autonomy, building cultural curiosity and developing resilience. Delegates will leave with practical ideas to implement immediately, enabling students to become more confident, independent and successful linguists throughout their A-Level journey.

An exploration of how schools can harness the untapped potential of Home, Heritage, and Community Languages (HHCL) to reshape pupil identities. While many students possess diverse linguistic skills on paper, they rarely view them as assets or connect them to formal MFL study. Within our National Priority Project supported by the NCLE, I outline the strategies trialled by Grand Union Language Network to bridge this gap by boosting the visibility of multilingualism both across the school environment and within traditional MFL lessons. By examining the intersection of HHCL and primary language experiences, this project highlights actionable ways to foster a positive shift in attitudes, ultimately supporting pupils in successfully identifying as confident, capable language learners. Presented by Georgina Jackson, Network Lead for Grand Union Language Network and Curriculum Leader for MFL at Tudor Grange Academy Solihull.

This workshop explores how we move students in MFL from scaffolded, adaptive teaching towards genuine independence. It considers the tension between supporting learners in the moment and avoiding long-term dependency, and unpacks a gradual release model that is genuinely incremental. The session focuses on practical strategies including metacognitive modelling, self-correction systems, vocabulary retrieval habits, and staged removal of scaffolds in speaking and writing. It also reflects on the realities of classroom constraints and how independence can still be built within them. Presented by Silvia Bastow, Subject Leader for MFL at Ercall Wood Academy, council member and HMO for the Association for Language Learning, author with over two decades in secondary education.

Two language teachers from the Sir Robert Woodard Academy in West Sussex share how they include 5 Cs of the MFL Framework into their MFL Curriculum: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities. Claire and Dalila will break down how to integrate these core principles into your everyday lessons and across the whole school using simple, manageable strategies that reduce teacher workload while driving high student achievement. Presented by Claire Clark, Lead Practitioner with 35 years of teaching experience and Dalila Gomes, currently completing the Lead Practitioner course.

AI has transformed how I teach and how I do the job over these past 12 months. In this session I share some of the tips I’ve found, some of the websites I use to create resources and do a ‘live’ walk through from start to finish – not pre-rehearsed or scripted – of creating something for my classes. Hopefully it won’t all go perfectly which will help demonstrate the limits of AI, what I do when I encounter a hurdle as well as some of the mistakes I’ve made. Topics will include creating displays, pupil of the week, essay sentences starters, marking and feedback, writing reports, writing an Italian A level course, grammar and translation at A level. And I’ll finish with a quick walk-through of my next year project – rewriting the Y7 curriculum. Presented by Michael Willis, a teacher of 30 years who is Head of Languages at the Bethany independent day and boarding school in Kent.

Many language materials are technically correct but cognitively exhausting for learners who struggle with attention, decoding, working memory or visual overload. This session explores how teachers and creators can adapt reading materials for dyslexic, ADHD and other neurodivergent learners without making them childish or intellectually weaker. We will look at layout, language load, pacing, emotional safety, visual clarity and the role AI can play, both helpfully and dangerously, in creating accessible resources. Presented by June Antson, a children’s author, language educator and creator of the Anya & Mudrik story-based learning series who is currently developing a dyslexia-friendly edition of her children’s book.

Many language teachers focus on attracting new learners, but long-term success depends on keeping them engaged and motivated. In this practical session, French teacher and language school owner Barbara Allen shares the strategies she has used to build adult language classes where learners stay for years, not months. Drawing on over 15 years’ experience, Barbara explores how to create a strong learning community, maintain motivation beyond the beginner stages, and design classes that learners genuinely look forward to attending. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable ideas to improve learner retention and create thriving adult language classes.

Can all pupils succeed in learning a language? This session explores how evidence-informed adaptive teaching, explicit instruction and ambitious curriculum design can remove barriers to learning whilst maintaining high expectations. Focusing on practical strategies for the MFL classroom, we will examine how to support learners with SEND and other additional needs without reducing challenge. Attendees will leave with classroom-ready approaches that improve engagement, participation and outcomes for all language learners. Presented by Jennifer Wozniak-Rush, Senior Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum and Teaching, ELE and Specialist leader of Education in T&L and MFL at Archbishop Temple High School in Lancashire.

Looking at the latest research into how non-native speakers can best learn Chinese, primary Mandarin teacher Rachel Tiefenbrun has spent the last ten years developing a series of games which gradually build up a learner’s conceptual understanding of how the Chinese writing system works. Using popular card games such as Uno, Go Fish and Dobble, children learn about the origins of Chinese writing, the building blocks of Chinese characters and the arrangement and function of these building blocks within a character square. With this foundational understanding in place, children can then begin to learn complex Chinese characters for communicative purposes in a meaningful and efficient way. This will be a show and tell, interactive session with Q and A and is suitable for non-specialist primary practitioners as well as experienced Mandarin teachers at KS2 and KS3.

This engaging session brings Rosenshine to life through a language-teaching lens, offering ready-to-use strategies that boost participation, retention and pupil confidence. From effective retrieval practice and guided practice to modelling and checking for understanding, delegates will explore classroom examples drawn from real MFL lessons. Participants will leave with a toolkit of evidence-informed approaches that can be implemented immediately to enhance teaching, improve outcomes and make language learning more enjoyable and successful for all pupils. Presented by Jonathan Mumford, teacher, consultant, university lecturer and GCSE examiner, with 20 years’ experience teaching French and Spanish in mixed comprehensive schools, including eight years as Head of Languages.

What if narrative, music and repetition are more than ways to make language lessons engaging? What if they are among the conditions that support beginner language acquisition itself? Drawing on cognitive psychology, second language acquisition research and early classroom findings from the French Made Simple pilot, Sandra Ober, French teacher, curriculum designer and independent researcher in language acquisition with 18 years of classroom practice, explores how designing lessons around meaningful input before production may influence engagement, confidence and participation. Combining research, classroom practice and discussion, it invites teachers to reconsider the role of listening, storytelling and repetition – not simply as motivational tools, but as potential drivers of language acquisition.

A very popular and regular feature of the Language Show. Helen Myers and Joe Dale of the Association for Language Learning, London Branch. Teacher participants (MFL and TEFL) are invited to speak for a maximum of 5 minutes about their top tip for classroom practice including teaching ideas, pupil activities and resources.

Discover the culture, history, and traditions behind the Macedonian language while also getting a taste of the language itself. Cultural insights with a fun language taster class, including useful learning tips, practical phrases, pronunciation guidance, and recommendations for anyone interested in continuing their language-learning journey. Presented by Ana Ilievska Završnik, lecturer, translator, language enthusiast, and cultural explorer.

Discover the culture, history, and traditions behind the Slovene language while also getting a taste of the language itself. Cultural insights with a fun language taster class, including useful learning tips, practical phrases, pronunciation guidance, and recommendations for anyone interested in continuing their language-learning journey. Presented by Ana Ilievska Završnik, lecturer, translator, language enthusiast, and cultural explorer.

“What can I actually do with my language skills for a job in the UK?” In this practical and inspiring session, language educator and multilingual business professional Lou Browne explores how languages can be used beyond the classroom and holiday situations. When she graduated in 2010, she was only aware of teaching and translation careers, as customer service jobs paid pittance. She shares how peers are earning 6 figure salaries as bi-lingual EA’s in big banks and law firms. She has pivoted into this space briefly after having exited her own business, taken on French speaking clients and helps on booking international conferences, arranging complex travel and drafting correspondence in French plus handling phone calls under stress. Drawing on experience teaching French, Italian and English, as well as working in multilingual professional environments, Lou will share real-life examples, confidence-building strategies and practical ways learners can use their language skills in everyday and professional contexts. Attendees will leave inspired to put their languages into action and what comes next.

A quick interactive session aimed at beginners in the language.

Presented by Warrant Officer Pearson, a linguist in the RAF who has worked in various Tri-Service environments throughout her 22-year career, in this talk she brings a rare insight into the value of foreign language proficiency for the whole of Defence.

Many students arrive in the Japanese classroom already “fluent” in fragments (sugoi, baka, senpai, entire theme songs) courtesy of anime. With the rise of KPop and CDrama in the west, this is also happening with other Asian languages. This session explores how to harness that existing engagement productively, while addressing the misconceptions, register confusion, and bad habits fansubs and dubbing choices can embed. Presented by Darren Lester, a teacher, writer and doctoral student in the south west of England who has taught modern and classical languages for almost 20 years.

A quick interactive session aimed at beginners in the language.

Discover practical, research-informed techniques to accelerate your vocabulary growth and improve your pronunciation with confidence. In this workshop, you will reflect on your current learning strategies, identify challenges, and explore proven approaches that have delivered excellent results through years of language teaching and coaching. You will learn how to make vocabulary and pronunciation practice more effective, enjoyable, and memorable, including ways to use AI tools for personalised self-study. The workshop will also explore an often overlooked factor that can have a powerful impact on your language learning progress. Presented by Maria Blanco, Senior Lecturer in Spanish at the University of Westminster and a native Spanish teacher, coach, teacher trainer and author with over 30 years of experience.

Curious about Polish? Join this beginner-friendly taster session and learn a few useful words and phrases while exploring one of Europe’s most spoken languages. Discover how Polish connects to the country’s rich culture, history, and traditions, and find out what makes it both challenging and rewarding to learn. No prior knowledge is needed – just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm. Whether you have Polish heritage, an interest in languages, or simply want to try something new, this interactive session will give you a fun introduction to the Polish language and culture.

This session will make the argument to position linguistics as the first enabler to leadership development. While the traditional leadership literature and practices focus on psychology, neuroscience, behavioural science and rightfully so, we are putting the cart before the horse because linguistics takes precedence because words or the absence of words influence emotions. The session will also share that linguistics or languages on their own are not sufficient and will share how the combination of some foundational domains are secret ingredients of Eclectic Leadership. Presented by Shehzaad Shams, a multilingual & versatile Operations & Delivery Consultant based in London who speaks nine languages, is a freelance translator & voice actor.

In English, “you” is a term that we use to address a dear friend, a colleague, parents, our boss or the leader of the country. In Indonesian there is a selection of words for ‘you’. Not using the right pronoun could result in embarrassment, resentment or demotion. Presented by Ati Kisjanto, teacher of Indonesian to diplomats for the last 12 years and host of podcast All Things Indonesian.

A quick interactive session aimed at beginners in the language.

Thinking about the ties between the U.K. and Tuscany, we picture Firenze or Chianti. Yet there are small towns like Barga and Bagni di Lucca where the two cultures intertwined. Barga claims to be the most Scottish town in Italy because the majority of its residents have Scottish ties due to immigration. Barga hosts Scottish culinary festivals, a football club twinned with Celtic and a dialect in which Italian words have been coined from English. A few miles away, Bagni di Lucca was a retreat for many famous Brits who enjoyed spending time there. Enjoy a cultural journey with Giorgia Furfaro, an Italian who qualified as an M.F.L. teacher in the U.K. but now teaches English in an Italian secondary school and regularly visits Tuscany for its culture, history and landscapes.

Discover Tamil, one of the world’s most resilient classical languages spoken by over 100 million people globally. Join this interactive taster session for a captivating glimpse into Tamil culture, history, and script. Participants will journey from 2,500-year-old archaeological wonders to the vibrant modern communities of London. The session includes practical exercises in which you will learn universal greetings such as Vanakkam, express basic likes and dislikes, and explore the unique musical structure of the alphabet. Presented by Prabhu Rajendran, a London-based Tamil children’s author, critic, and independent publisher with over a decade of experience in cultural mediation.

In Italy, conversation rarely happens with words alone. Hands, expressions and rhythm all carry meaning that often says more than grammar. In this session, we’ll look at some of the most recognisable Italian gestures, where they come from, and what they actually mean in everyday interaction. We’ll try out a few gestures ourselves! We’ll also explore how gesture shapes communication and why it matters for language learners and teachers, especially when we think about pragmatics and cultural understanding. This session offers a fresh, practical, and entertaining lens on what it really means to “speak Italian”! Presented by Monica Maria Oriani, an Italian language teacher with 20 years of experience in secondary and adult education who currently teaches Italian at the University of Warwick.

Learning Polish is often viewed primarily as a cultural pursuit, yet it can also be a valuable investment in one’s academic and professional future. This panel will explore the opportunities that stem from learning Polish as a foreign language and demonstrate how language skills can translate into tangible educational and career benefits. Bringing together representatives of government institutions, educational organisations, employers and international professionals who use Polish in their careers, the discussion will showcase real-life examples of how Polish has supported access to study programmes, scholarships, professional networks, international mobility and employment opportunities. The panel will also examine the role of Polish in fostering international cooperation and highlight practical pathways for learners seeking to turn their language skills into academic and professional success. The session will be facilitated by the Polish Embassy in London in cooperation with partner organisations.

From AI tutors to instant translation, artificial intelligence is changing the way we learn and use languages. But does it build real confidence and communication skills, or does it sometimes create an illusion of fluency? Presented by Ana Ilievska Završnik, chartered linguist, lecturer and cultural explorer and Nick Nasev, chartered linguist, translator, editor (of books, journalism and academic papers) and proofreader, this engaging presentation explores how AI is reshaping language learning and translation, highlighting both the exciting possibilities and the challenges that come with relying on smart technology.

An interactive taster using Italian paintings to teach colours and essential beginner vocabulary. Participants learn simple Italian structures through visual prompts, identify colours in artworks, and practise basic phrases in a fun, accessible way. A lively session offering ready‑to‑use activities for early language learners. The session is designed to demonstrate how visual arts can make the initial steps of learning Italian accessible and joyful for absolute beginners. Presented by Monica Maria Oriani, an Italian language teacher with 20 years of experience in secondary and adult education who currently teaches Italian at the University of Warwick.

This beginner French taster lesson introduces learners to basic greetings, self-introductions, numbers 1–10, and simple café vocabulary through interactive activities and role-plays. Students practise speaking from the start, build confidence using everyday expressions, and explore a little French culture and etiquette through a fun quiz. By the end, they can greet others, introduce themselves, count, and order simple items in French. Presented by Catherine Mulcahy, Head of MFL at Wilson’s Grammar School, Wallington.

Is Hungarian really one of the world’s hardest language? What does it have to do with Finnish? Why is it “magyar” in Hungarian? What can one of the first simultaneous interpreters teach us about language learning? Why does the alphabet have so many strange letters? And how can one tiny line turn happiness into madness? Inspired by linguist Ádám Nádasdy, this playful teaser explores the strange stories, stubborn myths and the logics behind the wonderfully unusual logic of Hungarian. From a 44-letter alphabet and vowel harmony to famously long “monster words”, we will investigate and learn how Hungarian sounds, builds words and sees the world. Learning a little “magyar” along the way. No previous knowledge needed, just curiosity. Presented by Diana M. Pintér, a native Hungarian speaker with a Bachelor degree in Hungarian language and literature who also speaks Hungarian, English and Dutch.

John Worne, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, draws from a new collection of Linguists’ Voices to provide an update on current views, opinions, practices and experiences from across the world of languages and linguists.

What happens when a brain navigates multiple languages, cultures, and ways of thinking at the same time? This interactive webinar explores the fascinating intersection between multilingualism and neurodiversity, drawing on insights from language practice, coaching and neuroscience. Together, we will explore language processing, executive functioning, identity, belonging, and communication in neurodivergent bilingual and multilingual individuals, offering a fresh and neuroaffirming perspective on the relationship between words, worlds, and wiring. Presented by Hiba Bayyat, an NRPSI-registered and accredited public service interpreter, CIOL Chartered Linguist and a MITI translator specialising in legal and public service settings, who is the Founder of The Neurodivergent Linguist, an ADHD and AuDHD coach, a neuroaffirmative supervisor and is currently studying for an MSc in Applied Neuroscience.

AI is taking over many aspects of our lives; we will analyse how it will affect the role of the Public Service Translators and how we can benefit from it. Presented by José Luis Rodríguez Olveira, Legal Translator (PST) since 1986, Community Interpreter Level 6, CIOL, IAPTI, ASETRAD and NAJIT member, who has been working as a legal translator and court interpreter for over 30 years.

The session will focus on the role and functions of the legal interpreter, the various venues we work in and the type of knowledge and hard and soft skills we need on a daily basis. Do legal interpreters need to have a legal background? What makes an effective legal interpreter? Are legal interpreters accepted as equal professionals by other professionals such as judges and lawyers? These and other questions will be tackled in what promises to be a lively and thought provoking session. Presented by Sue Leschen, a leading UK lawyer-linguist, Fellow of both the ITI and CIOL with 24 years experience interpreting in the UK justice system.

Presented by Anita van Adelsbergen, Chair of the CIOL Council and a multilingual translator, interpreter and journalist for more than 30 years, Anita regularly provides training sessions and lectures on how to specialise as a linguist and how to be a resilient freelance linguist.

Bring your real questions. This is a live, open space for working linguists to get honest, practical guidance on the challenges that don’t come up in textbooks. Whether you’re navigating a career transition, wrestling with imposter syndrome, wondering how to raise your rates or build your profile — bring it to the clinic. Rasha Alajouz is a Chartered Linguist, Comfort Zone Coach, and Fellow of the CIOL, working at the intersection of language, identity, and professional growth. She responds live, not from a script.

This presentation will describe how the translation process is organised at the European Parliament, the types of documents translated, the translation tools used, as well as traineeship and job opportunities for translators in this institution. Presented by Dr. Luciana Sabina Tcaciuc, who works a translator at the European Parliament in Luxembourg and is the mentor of trainees.