We are delighted to invite English language teachers to a practical and interactive conference organised by the British Council Romania, in partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Cluj County School Inspectorate, Babeș - Bolyai University, Fischer International and Casa Corpului Didactic Cluj.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to discover proven strategies to increase learner engagement, manage mixed-ability classrooms, and implement interactive activities that foster collaboration and motivation. Participants will leave with clear, practical ideas they can immediately use in their English lessons.
What teachers will gain
- Strategies to maintain students’ attention and motivation throughout lessons
- Practical activities to quickly regain attention and boost participation
- Techniques for differentiating instruction in mixed-ability classes
- Cambridge updates and examples from coursebooks
Speakers
- Benjamin Herbert – is a Professional Learning and Development Specialist for Cambridge University Press and Assessment and is based in Prague. He has trained teachers and spoken at conferences in various countries and has taught in different contexts for over 15 years in the Czech Republic, Jordan, Libya, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Ben has worked as a Cambridge CELTA Main Course Tutor, is DELTA-qualified, and is currently studying trainer development as part of his MA in Professional Development for Language Education.
- Aniella Giorgiana Bușilă – is a teacher and teacher trainer who has been a Cambridge Educational Consultant since 2009. She has extensive experience in Cambridge English exams and has prepared students and teachers for the full range of Cambridge English qualifications. Aniella has delivered presentations at numerous events in Romania and the Republic of Moldova for teachers, parents, and students. She is deeply committed to her own professional development to continually enhance her students’ and trainees’ learning experiences. Aniella holds a degree in foreign languages and teaching qualifications including Cambridge English TKT, CELT-P, CELT-S, and CELTA.
- Cristiana Oșan – is a DELTA-certified teacher educator with over 17 years of experience. She has worked as a teacher educator, trainers’ trainer, online moderator, examiner for international certificates, and materials writer. Cristiana has collaborated on various projects with thousands of teachers across more than 100 countries, bringing a wealth of knowledge, practical insight, and a global perspective to every session she delivers.
Conference programme
08:30 – 09:00 | Registration
09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome – British Council & partners
09:15 – 10:15 | Increasing Learner Engagement – Benjamin Herbert
10:15 – 10:30 | Coffee break
10:30 – 12:00 | Increasing Student Engagement & Activities to Regain Attention – Cristiana Oșan
12:00 – 12:10 | Fischer International
12:10 – 12:30 | Coffee break
12:30 – 13:00 | Cambridge Updates – Aniella Bușilă
13:00 – 14:00 | Teaching in Mixed-Ability Classrooms – Benjamin Herbert
14:00 – 14:15 | Closing & Certificates – British Council
Session details
Increasing Learner Engagement – Benjamin Herbert
One issue that faces teachers in a variety of contexts is that of maintaining learner attention and focus throughout lessons. Indeed, as Mercer & Puchta (2023) note, ”Without engagement, learning cannot happen”. Consequently, this session will allow teachers to explore practical, ready-to-use strategies for boosting learner engagement and quickly regaining attention when energy dips. Teachers will leave with adaptable activities, attention-resent routines, and classroom management tools they can immediately apply to create more focused, motivated, and responsive learning environments.
Increasing Student Engagement & Activities to Regain Attention – Cristiana Oșan
Keeping students focused and motivated throughout lessons is a common challenge for teachers. This session will explore practical, ready-to-use activities designed to quickly regain attention, boost participation, and maintain energy in the classroom. Participants will leave with adaptable strategies and hands-on techniques to create more engaging, dynamic, and interactive learning experiences for all students.
Teaching in Mixed-Ability Classrooms – Benjamin Herbert
Mixed ability classes have become the norm in ELT. Teaching learners with different abilities, needs and preferences can present challenges for teachers in terms of selecting activities and managing them. Yet through using differentiation, supporting all learners becomes achievable. As Carol Ann Tomlinson writes, “Differentiation is responsive teaching, rather than ‘one size fits all’ teaching.” (2005) This workshop will provide teachers with practical hints and tips and look at various strategies for differentiation, using extracts from Cambridge coursebooks as a source of examples.
Quick, effective activities to regain students’ attention and motivation. Participants will leave with hands-on techniques for more dynamic and interactive lessons.
Event details
| When | 25 April 2026, 09:00 – 14:30 |
| Where | Jean Monnet Hall, Faculty of European Studies, 1 Em. de Martonne Street, next to the central building of Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca |
| Cost | Free of charge. All participants attending the full event will receive a certificate of attendance |
To register, please complete this form.
Don’t miss this chance to enrich your teaching toolkit with expert guidance, hands-on activities, and inspiring ideas for your classroom!