Belonging matters – webinars

In these two sessions, our expert educators from Southeast Asia help you create warm, welcoming and inclusive learning spaces that enhance language learning by fostering a sense of well-being and belonging. The live event took place on 13 March 2026.

About the sessions

Session 1: Creating happy classrooms for English learning

Speaker

Mai Tuyet Ngo

Session information

This session focuses on teacher and learner well-being, drawing on classroom practice to explore how joy, emotional safety and positivity can enhance English learning. The presentation shares practical ways teachers can create happier, more connected classrooms. 

Session 2: Including learners' languages in English teaching

Speakers

Donna Lim and Yustinus Calvin Gai Mali

About the session

This session brings together two teacher educators to discuss how multilingual realities shape English teaching in Southeast Asia. Speakers explore how teachers use learners' home languages as a resource, challenge 'English-only' assumptions and promote inclusive, culturally responsive practices. Donna Lim focuses on young learners and Yustinus Calvin Gai Mali talks about pre-service teachers. Learn about strategies that you can use in your classroom, wherever you teach.

About the speakers

Mai Tuyet Ngo is an associate professor in TESOL and applied linguistics at Flinders University, Australia. She has been working as an English language teacher educator for 30 years, and has coached and mentored many young early-career Vietnamese schoolteachers, university lecturers and leaders to become healthier and happier. Her research interests are teachers' social well-being and happiness pedagogies.  

Donna Lim is a lecturer with the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She specialises in primary English language teaching methodology courses. Her area of interest is in developing literacy with a focus on teaching writing. She has considerable teaching experience with young learners. 

Yustinus Calvin Gai Mali is an associate professor in the Masters of English language education at Satya Wacana Christian University (Salatiga, Indonesia). He holds a PhD in Language, Literacy and Technology Education. He also serves as the director of publications at Indonesia Technology Enhanced Language Learning (iTELL) journal.