Understanding your learners – webinars

Understanding your learners

In April–June 2025, TeachingEnglish is focusing on the theme of Understanding your learners.     

Here you can watch the first webinars in this series. We start with two of our TeachingEnglish training courses tutors, who explain exactly what understanding your learners involves and how it can help you plan and deliver more effective classes. In the other sessions you will also discover how people learn best, exploring the science and psychology behind effective teaching and learning. Learn evidence-informed strategies and gain practical insights to create a more understanding, supportive and effective classroom for your learners!  The live event took place on 11 April 2025.

About the sessions

Session 1: Understanding your learners: A practical introduction

Speakers:

Sirin Soyoz and Melissa Thomson

Session information:

In this webinar our two current TeachingEnglish training courses tutors give an interactive and practical introduction to our theme for April, May and June: Understanding your learners. With them you will learn how to develop your awareness of the diversity of your learners, how the learning environment and group dynamics can affect individuals, and more. Watch this session to reflect on your own teaching practices and find out what professional development opportunities can help you grow in this area. 

Find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Sirin and Melissa's session.

Session 2: Evidence-informed techniques for better learning

Speaker:

André Hedlund

Session information:

Let's look into the how and why of learning so that we can help our learners do their best. This session attempts to bridge the gap between the classroom and what psychologists and cognitive linguists now know about the science of learning. What does their research say about what happens in the brain when we learn effectively? How can these insights impact the English classroom? This talk shows you four evidence-informed strategies you can incorporate into your English language lessons for better learning. 

Find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for André's session

Session 3: Emotional safety and learning

Speaker:

Georgia Papamichaelidou 

Session information:

We often hear our learners ask us difficult questions like 'What if I fail?' or 'Are you proud of me?' These questions often mask deeper emotions of self-doubt, anxiety or a need for validation. Understanding that students of all ages learn best when they feel safe, supported and valued is the starting point for answering these complex questions. In this session, we look at the impact and importance of emotional safety in learning. We also see practical strategies that help learners feel supported and teachers be ready to answer those questions.

Find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Georgia's session.

About the speakers

Sirin Soyoz is a teacher educator from Turkey and is currently a course tutor for the TeachingEnglish community. She has worked for the British Council for over ten years and has been involved in online teacher-training courses as the programme manager, e-moderator and e-learning projects coordinator. She has a special interest in AI and the integration of technology in education. 

Melissa Thomson is a teacher educator based in Spain but originally from Scotland. Alongside Sirin, she too is a course tutor for the TeachingEnglish community. Melissa also works as an e-moderator and project coordinator and writes ELT textbooks for secondary-age learners. You may recognise her as one of our regular webinar hosts! 

André Hedlund's many roles include lecturing, teacher training for the British Council and working as an educational consultant for various leading publishers. He leads the Mind, Brain, and Education Special Interest Group at BRAZ-TESOL, is the co-host of the Chá Pedagógico podcast and is also the author of The Owl Factor: Reframing Your Teaching Philosophy. André works in Brazil. 

Georgia Papamicheailidou is an international educational leader and IATEFL trustee with expertise in curriculum design, teacher training and sustainability. Passionate about the psychology behind teaching and learning, Georgia has extensive experience coaching educators globally to inspire transformational change. Georgia works in the UK. Georgia did a webinar titled 'Can you gamify professional growth?' that you can watch here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/news-and-events/webinars/webinars-teachers/developing-teachers-mini-event