33rd IATEFL Hungary Conference - Flow

CONFERENCE LINK

Imagine setting off on a three-hour road trip from Trnava, eagerly anticipating the start of another IATEFL Hungary conference, this time near Lake Balaton, in Siófok. Our trip was all about great talks, the excitement of new ideas, and the anticipation of learning adventures. Arriving at the conference, we were both eager to learn from the fascinating sessions and with fresh classroom ideas. Not only that. Our main goal was to form partnerships with fellow teacher associations at the conference.

After completing our registration, we made a beeline for the plenary session led by Claudia Molnár (whose enlightening talk centered on trusting the teaching journey). Her insights set the tone for a day filled with inspiration and innovation.

With Claudia's wisdom fresh in our minds, we casually made our way to many interesting workshops, where we explored topics like cool language teaching methods and how AI fits into our classrooms.

In the evening, we joined the fun at the pub quiz, hosted by the enthusiastic Alex Mitchell. Discussions about the future of teacher associations brewed later in the evening, and we left with a sense of excitement about potential partnerships and collaborative actions in the field of education.

Our second day at the IATEFL Hungary 2023 conference kicked off with fresh inspiration. Sandy Millin led a plenary session on creating materials that flow, which got us thinking about the perfect teaching rhythm, followed by more workshops.

Rebecca Svetina, from IATEFL Slovenia, took us on a unique journey with #TRACES, a media literacy role-play game that engaged our students while teaching critical thinking. Hugh Dellar emphasized the art of providing more than just answers during language exercises, giving us plenty of practical ideas. 

János Ujlaki, who represented IATEFL Hungary, showcased the potential of AI in developing imagination and introduced several useful apps we can use in the classroom. In a discussion forum, Uwe Pohl led us through the realms of motivation and emotional intelligence. 

Sandy Millin also showed us how to get more out of speaking activities, adapting materials for richer, extended conversations. Meanwhile, Natalie Lackovič, representing SCELT, demonstreated the power of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for teenagers, enhancing student engagement and emotional well-being. 

Nóra Tartsay Németh unveiled the ways AI can help students develop critical thinking skills, making us ponder the role of AI in education. After an intellectually stimulating day, we concluded with saunas, an international mixer, and a 'Journey Through the Decades' party.

Day three was a real eye-opener, despite how tired we felt. We started with an inspiring plenary by Hugh Dellar, who showed the power of creating a magical space in the EFL classroom. The unexpected turns, stories, laughter, and emotions that emerged from our students left us truly amazed. László Németh then dug into digital emotional intelligence, uncovering the four pillars of DEQ through practical classroom tasks. Understanding our emotions and those of our peers is a skill worth honing, and we're excited to bring it into our English classes. Annamária Molnár's insights from her time at a special Spanish school emphasized the importance of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Consciousness, Communication, Connection, and Credibility were they key takeaways. 

While we couldn't stay for the closing ceremony, we want to express our gratitude for this incredible experience. We feel honoured to have attended, and we're already looking forward to the IATEFL Slovenia Conference in March, as well as many more conferences on the horizon. Until then, keep the learning and unity flowing!