Programme Nationaal Congres Engels 2026
REGISTRATIONS OPENING ON MONDAY 5 JANUARY
Friday 20 March 2026, de Reehorst, Ede
‘NAVIGATING THE NOW AND THE NEXT: FUTURE-PROOFING LANGUAGE EDUCATION’
The Teacher as a Storyteller
Jamie Keddie
Storytelling is at the heart of language learning. Stories are in the language, the materials and, of course, the people – our students and ourselves. They are also at the heart of communication. We use stories to connect, to persuade, to understand each other and to make sense of the world. Storytelling is the quintessential 21st-century skill. In this talk, I will argue that your stories are a fundamental tool for second language teaching. I will show you how to find them and how to tell them. I will build a case for bringing teacher-led storytelling to the front of the class and show you how to use stories to engage students – getting them thinking, listening, speaking, reading, writing and telling stories of their own in a new language.
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PROGRAMME
| 08.30-09.30 | Arrival at the conference centre / coffee / exhibition - New York |
| 09.30-09.35 | Introduction |
| 09.35-10.35 | Plenary session: Jamie Keddie - Schouwburg |
| 10.35-11.00 | NCE Herman Wekker Prize for Best Reporter - Schouwburg |
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee break / exhibition - New York |
| 11.30-12.30 | Workshop session 1 (1-13) |
| 12.30-13.30 | Lunch / exhibition - New York |
| 13.30-14.30 | Subplenaries: A B C |
| 14.30-15.00 | Tea break / exhibition - New york |
| 15.00-16.00 | Workshop session 2 (14-26) |
| 16.00-17.00 | Exhibition / Meet & Greet with our speakers / Drinks & Nibbles (free!) - New York |
Subplenaries | 13.30 - 14.30
A: Dr Mia You
Writing like (Alter)Native Speakers
This presentation, which will combine open debate/discussion with a creative writing exercise, will reconsider the English of the Anglo-American “native speaker” as the benchmark for judging the quality of writing and translation. Why do we maintain this (for many, impossible) myth, given how so many non-native speakers of English have gone on to win the highest literary prizes and significantly reshape the trajectory of English literary history, and given how most English readers are non-native speakers themselves? Following from a short essay written on the topic for the U.S.’s Poetry Foundation (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/1659311/poets-on-translation-the-alternative-speaker), I propose the importance of exploring and experimenting with variations and deviations in English grammar as potential spaces for creativity in the language, rather than simply regarding them as errors to correct. Further, reading, teaching, and writing poetry, in particular, can provide the ideal forum for students of English to build their own home in the language.
B: Daniela Fasoglio & friends
Between ambition and constraints
"Modern languages are receiving forward-looking national programmes for secondary education. The ambition is high - helping students grow into linguistically skilled, culturally aware, and language-aware citizens in a fast-changing world. This also raises pressing questions. How far can national targets truly support a diverse student population? What responsibilities should lie with schools, what should be entrusted to the professional freedom of teachers? And what support and tools do they need? Can goals, teaching, and assessment truly be matched in a system still rooted in performance and ranking? And if alignment is possible, what tensions does it create? National targets are not a magic bullet. They answer some questions, but also raise others. Only when schools and teachers can meaningfully shape the curriculum will the promise of this reform be fulfilled. This year, a trial run is being conducted at a number of schools. A few brief firsthand experiences will be shared."
C: Dr. Parisa Mehran and drs Patricia van Slobbe
Rewriting Writing: Pen & Paper or Prompt & Paste?
Will returning to pen and paper protect what writing used to mean? Can policing AI preserve what matters in writing? Or do we need to rethink what it means to teach writing in the age of AI, where students often start with a prompt and paste what follows? This session is for educators who feel the tension between caution and curiosity, and are ready to go beyond it by becoming more AI-aware and embracing new possibilities while staying grounded in ethics, creativity, and a commitment to meaningful student learning. We’ll share curated AI-assisted writing activities and offer practical strategies for upholding academic integrity, fostering authentic and creative writing, and helping students set sail with AI as a co-pilot in their writing journey.
WORKSHOPS
26: Beyond Words: Nurturing Learner Voice in the Language Classroom
Rachel Jeffries (Cambridge Press and Assessment)
How can we help learners move beyond simply using English, to communicating with confidence and purpose? In this session, teachers will experience a problem-based approach to developing speaking, listening, and interaction skills through engaging, real-world tasks. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can adapt to their own classrooms to foster collaboration, critical thinking, a
25: Using AI for Speaking Activities
Dieuwke Mulder (Practicum Educatief Media)
AI tools like FlowSpeak enhance speaking practice in ELT by providing interactive exercises, real-time feedback, and personalized support. This session examines how AI fosters fluency, engagement, and autonomous learning while addressing challenges of accuracy and control, offering strategies to integrate AI with traditional classroom methods for effective language development.
24: ENGLISH IS FUN with Gigglemug Interactive Theatre
Peter Swales (Gigglemug Interactive Theatre)
Our popular, fun theatre programme caters to Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges, University and even Corporate/Business training. We will share segments from our shows and workshops to give you an overview of our style and how we work. We look forward to seeing you there!
23: Auteur in Action: Reimagining Literature through Film and AI Tools
Jenny Rose
This interactive workshop explores how AI-powered video editing and film-based tasks can enrich English lessons. Participants will remix a film fragment of Little Women using CapCut and explore how to integrate this tool in their own lessons. Take away practical strategies for creative, future-proof teaching. Please bring your own device.
22: Herijking kennisbasis in het PO
Honorine de Keijzer and Dr. Ton de Kraay
De ontwikkeling en implementatie van de herijkte kennisbasis Engels in het PO en de nieuwe kerndoelen voor Engels.
21: Transferable skills for ELT teachers – thriving in changing times
Kirsten Waechter
This workshop examines major disruptions English teachers are facing and the transferable skills needed to thrive in an AI-shaped future. Participants will assess risks, explore emerging competencies, and design appropriate development strategies. Together, we will define ways forward to stay relevant, resilient, and empowered in rapidly changing professional environment.
20: Learning a language through narrative TV
Sjoerd Lindenburg
In this workshop, I will take you through the various functions of the Language Reactor and how it can improve viewing for learning, while providing insights into the underlying cognitive processes of viewing behavior and how to effectively teach language learners to take language learning into their own hands.
19: Critical thinking in the age of AI
Vincent Hernot
GenAi is used to summarise texts, generate and organise ideas: all cognitive skills necessary for critical thinking, deep reading and social participation, especially in a social media and AI-dominated environment. This workshop will introduce material and approaches to help teachers develop their content and pedagogical knowledge of Critical Thinking
18: Teaching English as a global language: A multilingual approach
Mili Gabrovsek Sanders
English nowadays serves mainly as a lingua franca used by multilingual non-native speakers. Such communication requires flexibility, language awareness, and skills to negotiate meaning. Aligned with the new attainment targets, this workshop explores English as a Multilingua Franca (EMF) and includes the design of EMF-aware, future-ready activities for lower-secondary classrooms.
17: Gamification: emulating the video-game experience using everyday software
Lynn Lybaert
Designing materials for gamification or story-based learning does not need to be complicated. In this workshop, I will explain how I used everyday software to design a skills lesson that looks and feels like a video game. Join me if you want to get a peek behind the curtains.
16: Drama for an Unpredictable Future
Rudo Kupeta and Kristina Goodnight
This workshop is designed to future-proof education by empowering teachers and students with timeless improvisational drama techniques that foster adaptability, inclusivity, and critical thinking. Participants will get the opportunity to take part in drama activities that can be adapted to a variety of language levels and school curricula.
15: What and why do adolescents read: exploring connections
Joy Koopman and Lindsay Janssen
What do EFL teachers read with their students? What do they think should be read? And what do adolescents need when reading in these times of rapid change? We will take a hands-on approach to teaching literature that is reflective of the current cultural mindset, focusing on a search for (human) connection.
14: Modern Languages Meet Modern Technology
Andrea Lutz and Fernanda Martino
Enhance your MFL teaching by integrating language skills with digital literacy, aligning with new secondary education objectives. Learn to collaboratively implement this approach with colleagues. While the primary focus is on approach rather than material creation, the program provides numerous practical resources for immediate classroom use.
13: The new core objectives in Global English
Willem Schaap (Koninklijke Boom Uitgevers)
Discover how the new kerndoelen—with their focus on language and cultural awareness—can be made concrete in your English lessons. This workshop shows how our new coursebook series Global English brings these goals to life and offers practical ideas you can apply immediately.
12: CLIL, Culture & 21st Century Skills in the EFL Classroom
Tery Lemanis (Hamilton House Publishers)
Educators stress the need for strong 21st-century skills to prepare students for study and work. This session explores the key skills relevant to the EFL classroom and demonstrates practical exercises that build 21st-century competencies, as well as CLIL and Cultural Awareness.
11: Learning by doing versus learning by watching
Peter Massey (Phileas Fogg Theatre Company)
For over 25 years we have been using simple, fun and totally interactive techniques to help students become more confident in speaking English; whilst building self-confidence. Our workshops and shows focus on teambuilding, communication skills and trust. So, come along, we will share our techniques with you, which can then be added to your educational toolbox. Lastly, it´s fun!
10: Embracing Multilingualism: Loanwords in English
Evelijn Thijssen and Hedi Windgassen
Discover how to embrace multilingualism in your classroom! This interactive workshop offers practical tools to explore students’ language identities, uncover cross-linguistic connections, and boost confidence. Learn how to turn linguistic diversity into a powerful asset for inclusive, future-ready education—aligned with the new SLO goals for English.
9: The future of AI, Chatbots in 3D virtual language village
Nick Zwart-Knottnerus
This workshop provides a glimpse of the future by showing how AI chatbots can operate in a 3D environment. During this session, the virtual language village of Chatterdale in FrameVR is turned into an adventurous quest, where participants interact with AI chatbots to find several keys that reveal a mystery.
8: Deep Reading with LitLab
Indira Wakelkamp and Lucas van der Deijl
The new curriculum for modern foreign languages emphasises cultural awareness and citizenship. Literary texts in the target language lend themselves particularly well to discussions about cultural topics and social issues. This workshop shows how free, open-access materials on litlab.nl, developed by teachers and LitLab’s editors, can enrich literature teaching in the classroom.
7: HI, not AI (Human Intelligence, not AI)
Frederike Westera and Elona Manders
Making use of our human intelligence we focus on the indispensable value of teachers. We show how to take advantage of our special position of being there in the moment, together with our language learners. We share some practical suggestions to make language learning part of our learners’ identities.
6: Choose L. O. V. E. for the classroom: the role music can play
Chris Walklett
This session will act as reminder of the eternal, future-proof and inherently useable nature of music in the classroom, not to mention, in a time when hate, ignorance and division, appear to be winning, its superstrength – its ability to unite. Let’s let L. O. V. E. rule in our classrooms.
5: Teaching Global Citizenship Education through Coriolanus and its Adaptations
Mirte Braan
This workshop explores how William Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and its modern adaptations can foster global citizenship education. By connecting several of the play’s themes such as sexuality and the (political) body to contemporary global issues, this workshop will help teachers facilitate meaningful classroom discussions about the ongoing challenges shaping their students’ daily lives.
4: ‘Whole Tasks’ as a starting point for innovation
Janneke Geursen and Özlem Shaw
How can you motivate learners to learn a language, respond to their needs and make sure that the curriculum aligns with the new concept goals for secondary education? In this workshop, you will discover how to make use of a task-based approach to design coherent, meaningful lessons that activate and challenge learners.
3: What Works Best When Learning Vocabulary
Cornée Ferreira and Louise Trouwborst
This session presents a six-week classroom study testing five different vocabulary strategies. We explore the research findings to see what happens when students engage with diverse methods for building vocabulary. Leave with a deeper understanding of vocabulary learning and hands-on, immediately usable ideas for your lessons.
2: How to connect: active listening in classroom conversations
Annet Goudriaan
Tired of debates? Would you like your students to pay more attention to what their classmates are really saying? In this workshop we will experience how to engage in active listening in classroom discussions. Developing this skill will allow for more meaningful discussions and will also invite and stimulate students to find out what they really think about a subject.
1: Solarpunk – Imagining a Future Worth Learning For
Wessel Fledderus
Solarpunk is the hopeful counterpart to pessimistic cyberpunk – an artistic genre, but also a mode of activism. Through imagining a different future, it becomes possible to take steps in the present. In class, solarpunk can address climate anxiety and student apathy through creativity and imagination. Change is a bright opportunity!