Grade University at the IATEFL Slovenia Conference: Sharing Experiences and New Approaches

From March 13-16, 2025, the Grade University team participated in the 30th IATEFL Slovenia Conference in Moravske Toplice.

Our participation included delivering insightful workshops, engaging with fellow professionals, and showcasing Grade University’s innovative learning solutions at our exhibition booth.

5 Fears of CPD: How to Overcome

Presented by Yulia Chorna, Product Manager, Grade University

This workshop tackled the five most common fears teachers face when engaging in continuous professional development (CPD):

Yulia Chorna shared real-life examples of these challenges and presented practical solutions. The session emphasized flexible learning options, user-friendly technology, and cost-effective resources available through Grade University’s online platform.

Interactive elements, such as polls and discussions, encouraged attendees to reflect on their own CPD journeys and explore new strategies for growth.

Emotionally Intelligent Teaching: The Key to Lasting Student Success

Presented by Olena Bochkarova, Course Author and Academic Director at Grade 

This session explored the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in language teaching and its impact on students’ academic success.

With research indicating a decline in students’ emotional awareness, the session provided educators with tools to foster emotional intelligence in learners, enhancing both their confidence and overall well-being.

Knowing Needs, Shaping Teaching: Using Student Insights Effectively

Presented by Nataliia Shcherbakova, Academic Director at Grade 

Understanding students’ needs and preferences is essential for effective teaching. In this workshop, Nataliia Shcherbakova guided educators through methods to collect, analyze, and apply student feedback to design more tailored lessons. 

Participants gained insights into making their teaching more responsive and aligned with learners’ goals, ultimately improving engagement and learning outcomes.

Beyond our own sessions, the IATEFL Slovenia Conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers. 

Among the standout topics:

Sara Isakovič

An Olympic swimmer turned psychologist, she shared strategies for building resilience and well-being, offering valuable perspectives on student motivation and mental health. Her talk challenged the idea that motivation alone drives success.

She explored how mental tools — emotional regulation, attention control, and discipline — sustain engagement for both teachers and students. She emphasized that when the right mindset and habits are in place, motivation is not a daily struggle but a natural outcome of a well-structured learning environment.

Milan Mandeljc’s

At the session «What makes us move: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed» presented a fresh perspective on the evolution of teaching practices. 

The main points that were highlighted in the session:

Jeremy Harmer’s

«When we sing together, you will never be alone.» — This was the song Jeremy Harmer began his session with, setting the tone for a deeply engaging and interactive talk.

Harmer compared the classroom to a choir, where each individual plays a unique role in creating harmony in learning.

Participants sang together at both the beginning and end of the session, illustrating the unifying power of music in learning.

Grade University was one of the main sponsors of the conference. Each participant received a branded bag as a token of our support and appreciation.

Additionally, we distributed branded conference souvenirs, ensuring attendees left with both valuable knowledge and a memorable keepsake from the event. The conference provided an excellent platform for networking.

On Day 2, Rebecca Svetina invited our Product Manager, Yulia Chorna, for a Coffee Talk, introducing a fresh and engaging format. The session was titled «Partnerships in ELT: Building Connections for Professional Growth». This roundtable discussion invited teachers to explore the power of collaboration in English Language Teaching. 

The session delved into how partnerships can elevate the profession, benefiting both educators and students alike.

The conversation was dynamic and inspiring, leaving everyone with fresh ideas and renewed motivation for cultivating professional partnerships.

We also had the chance to discuss our diverse teaching contexts, sharing the unique challenges and opportunities we each face. It was fascinating to hear about different experiences and how we adapt our teaching methods to suit various environments. 

We also reconnected with our friends from TESOL Hungary and SCELT Slovakia, who kindly invited us to their upcoming conferences. It was great catching up with familiar faces like Jeremy Harmer, Jamie Keddie, and Claudia Molnar. 

Now, we're excited about the potential for future collaborations with them, exploring new opportunities to work together and share ideas.

As a Product Manager, this conference offered a valuable opportunity to engage directly with teachers and school owners, our primary audience. By listening to their perspectives, I gained insights into their contexts, challenges, and the types of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) they find most useful. 

Their feedback on the topics they’re interested in and the formats they enjoy has given me actionable ideas for improving our platform and planning new courses that better meet their needs. 

Being in a space with educators from different countries also allows you to exchange cultural experiences and teaching methods. It helps broaden your understanding of the global educational landscape and inspires new ways of engaging with your students.

We had several exciting activities at the booth, showcasing our range of offerings. These included:

Absolutely! The conference wasn’t just about learning—it was also about connecting, having fun, and making unforgettable memories. Here are some of the standout social events:

Murder Mystery Night 

Organized by our colleagues from TESOL Hungary. This thrilling game had participants working together to solve a fictional murder case. To crack the mystery, they had to find hidden clues scattered around the venue. It was a perfect mix of detective work, teamwork, and excitement!

International Evening

A cultural exchange like no other! Attendees brought food and drinks from their home countries and shared stories, traditions, and customs. It was a heartwarming and delicious way to experience the diversity of the community.

Dance Party

Everyone had to wear something they would never wear to the classroom, which resulted in some truly legendary outfits. The night was filled with dancing, laughter, and pure joy.

 And as if that wasn’t enough… we even met His Highness, Prince William! Teachers went all out, wearing funny costumes, bathrobes, face masks, and even sleep masks. It was a night full of laughter, dancing, and pure joy.

We were thrilled to offer 5 gift certificates to lucky participants, which they could redeem for a course of their choice at Grade University. It was a great way to give back and encourage further professional development!

• This was our second time attending this conference, and I was deeply touched when Alenka Tratnik and Sandra Vida invited us back during our meeting in Siófok in the fall of 2024, even suggesting that we join as sponsors. Their enthusiasm and trust in Grade University’s mission reinforced the importance of our work in supporting educators.
• I personally call this event a «spa-conference for English teachers» — not just because of its unique setting, but because of the atmosphere the organizers have created. Here, teachers are simultaneously deeply relaxed (thanks to massages and chocolate hand baths!) and highly engaged in learning, sharing experiences, and attending each other’s workshops. I haven’t seen this level of genuine interest in fellow teachers at any other conference in Europe.
• Where else can you spend your day learning from the Jeremy Harmer, the man who wrote the bible for English teachers, and then in the evening, share a glass of cherry liqueur with him in casual conversation? Or perhaps dance the sirtaki with teachers from Greece? You can even discuss classroom problems in the thermal pool with your colleagues! This event is more than just professional development — it’s a true celebration of the teaching community, and I’m proud that Grade University can be part of it.

• We also had the chance to visit Ptuj, one of the oldest towns in Slovenia, and it was a fantastic experience! Ptuj is rich in history and culture, offering stunning medieval architecture, a beautiful castle, and charming streets that invite exploration. 
• It was a perfect opportunity to take a break from the conference and immerse ourselves in the local heritage. Walking through Ptuj felt like stepping back in time, with its ancient buildings and the picturesque Drava River adding to the town's magical atmosphere. A truly memorable addition to our trip!
• It’s definitely a great way to kick off the year with a conference like this! You walk away with a year’s worth of inspiration, new ideas, and connections to carry with you. Our next adventure will take us to the IATEFL Conference in Edinburgh in April — so stay tuned and follow us to keep up with all the updates!