News

ESD Lecturer, Ms Sachpazian delivers talk on International Women’s Day

On Sunday 10th and Sunday 11th March 2018, Ms. Maria Araxi Sachpazian, Lecturer of the English Studies Department and Chair of TESOL MTh participated in 10Χ10EFL Talks -a web-based creative initiative by Mr. Rob Howard is organising an online Conference to celebrate International Women’s Day. Ms Sachpazian presented a session entitled ‘’Mothers and Teachers: Women as care-giving figures’’ in which she explored the role of women as teachers, examines the differences and transformations this role has been through, outlines the present-day mission of teachers, while examining our ‘’to-do-list’’ for the future regarding gender equality. Teachers and teacher trainers, material designers and educators from all around the world shared their views on the contribution of women in education and the identity of women professionals.

04/04/2018

An enlightening Professional Development Seminar by Dr Kyriaki Kourouni in the English Studies Department

Within the framework of Personal and Professional Development Seminar Series, the beginning of the new semester in the English Studies Department was launched on Tuesday, March 6th, with an interesting and enlightening presentation titled “Translation Process Research and Pedagogy”. Dr Vicky Papachristou and Dr Kyriaki Kourouni In particular, Dr Kyriaki Kourouni shared with us her valuable experience as an academic and professional translator, providing useful guidelines and practical advice regarding the process of translation. Dr Kourouni emphasised its pedagogical implications and the importance of lifelong learning in terms of employability and personal development, and offering some future insights on the translation research process. Dr Kyriaki Kourouni is a Senior Fellow at the Department of Translation and Intercultural Studies of School of English at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Also, she is the Vice-President of the European Society for Translation Studies, as well as a member of the Intercultural Studies Group and the Hellenic Society for Translation Studies. We would like to wholeheartedly thank Dr Kourouni for her edifying talk and valuable insights, as well Dr Vicky Papachristou and Dr Paschalia Patsala, the coordinators of the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Seminars of the English Studies Dept. We are looking forward to seeing you to our next PPD Seminar!

03/04/2018

English Studies Dept. Staff, Students and Graduates meet at the 25th Annual International TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Northern Greece Conference

The English Studies Department was actively represented by both students and Lecturers in the 25th Annual International TESOL Macedonia Thrace Northern Greece Conference, held on 23-25 February 2018. On Saturday, 24/02, Dr Luke Prodromou, one of the invited Plenary Speakers, delivered his session entitled "Top Ten Secrets of Effective Teaching" in which he reported on a life-long search for the good language teacher and on recent research into effective teaching practice. Some of the questions Dr Prodromou attempted to address were "What exactly do expert teachers do?" and "What kind of relationships do they encourage in the classroom?" By tracing his own journey both as a learner and teacher, he concluded that although certain qualities or characteristics of the effective teacher seem to have emerged through the years, the role of the effective teacher is constantly shaped through an ongoing process of personal and professional development. Dr Prodromou's follow-up session was a performance with his brainchild, the English Language Theatre, during which attendees had the chance to watch the members of the theatre group perform along with two more of the Conference's plenary speakers, Agapi Dendaki and Michael Robbs. The performance entitled "Ladies in Love and Marriage" consisted of five sketches inspired by the work of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde, on the theme of women in love and the delights and disappointments of marriage. Apart from Dr Prodromou, the Department was also represented by Ms Margarita Kosior who delivered on the same date her session entitled "Difficult topics made easy with film." Ms Kosior focused on how film, in both its broader sense of the motion picture as well as in the form of short, inspirational videos, can be used as a tool through which global issues can be approached in the classroom setting. As Ms Kosior demonstrated, this can be achieved due to the audiovisual nature and authentic appeal of films themselves which allow real life to immerse in the classroom and provide a context in which language learning takes place more effortlessly, difficult issues are discussed with more confidence and ease, and student motivation and engagement increase. On the same date, conference participants also had the opportunity to attend sessions delivered by the Department's MA students. Erëza Mehmeti's session "Practical Application of Game-Based Learning: Play. Learn. Grow." underlined the significance of game-based learning in the creation of a comfortable class environment as it provides multiple opportunities to learners to acquire knowledge. Ms. Mehmeti's session also offered practical suggestions on how game-based learning can be implemented in the ELT classroom. Rina Krasniqi invited us all to overcome our feelings of stress and anxiety during our first week of classes in her session "Let's Ice-break." In her inspiring workshop, Ms. Krasniqi demonstrated a series of carefully chosen icebreakers which participants could use with students of different ages and levels. As Ms Krasniqi noted, apart from being interesting and fun, the icebreakers presented were sure to create a positive learning environment and help build rapport with students. Last but definitely not least, Ms. Maria Gourmou presented a talk entitled "Teaching English to young learners in Greece: Obstacles and Practical Solutions." In an attempt to explain how obstacles can be overcome in a young learner teaching context, Ms. Gourmou first presented the attributes of young learners before moving on to suggesting practical solutions all teachers can use. As Ms. Gourmou remarked her hope is that the suggestions and ideas offered in her session will inspire more English language teachers to take on the challenge of teaching young learners in the future. The English Studies Department could not feel prouder and warmly congratulates all its members for their amazing and thought-provoking presentations!!!

05/03/2018

Lecturers of the English Studies Department contribute articles to the Feb. 2018 Issue of Humanising Language Teaching

It was with great sense of accomplishment that the Chairperson of the local Teachers’ Association TESOL Macedonia-Thrace, Northern Greece, Ms. Maria-Araxi Sachpazian announced on social media, on Sunday 4th February 2018, the release of the Association’s first hosted issue (Year 20, Issue 1) of Humanising Language Teaching —the online magazine published by Pilgrims, under the supervision of Editor and ELT expert Ms. Hanna Kryszewska.  The English Studies Department of the International Faculty CITY College has every reason to share this joy, as six academic staff members of the Department have contributed with articles, while two of these Lecturers were also on the Editorial Committee; Ms. Maria-Araxi Sachpazian, Chairperson of the Association and Ms. Maria Theologidou, General Secretary and Editor-in-chief of the TESOL MTh E-Bulletin ELTeaser, were at the helm of the endeavour. Among the papers reviewed and selected for publication in Humanising Language Teaching (Feb. 1018 issue), one may find the following: Dr Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Dept., contributed an article on her area of specialisation, i.e. Lexicography, entitledReviving Lexicography through Text Corpora. Dr. Luke Prodromou, Lecturer on the MA programme, participated with an article entitled Ten Secrets of Effective Language Teaching.  Ms. Margarita Kosior, MA Lecturer, wrote a review on The Image in English Language Teaching edited by Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Xerri, while Ms. Maria Theologidou focused on The Power of Student-centered Environments: Steps towards Creating Student-driven Learning Spaces. Ms. Maria-Araxi Sachpazian wrote an article based on a project done in class, entitled Teachers and Schools through the Eyes of Students. Last but not least, Ms. Despina Sarantidou, also an ESD Lecturer, contributed an article entitled Implementation of Collaborative Group Projects with Students of Different Ages and Language Levels: A Suggestion. TESOL Macedonia-Thrace, Northern Greece is actively supported by the English Studies Department of The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate our colleagues and all the contributors for their hard work and generosity to share their knowledge and expertise!

15/02/2018

January ’18 visit for the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching gets successfully completed!

The Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (CiLT) is a programme specifically designed to meet the needs of Academic Staff in Higher Education. Last week saw the successful completion of Module 2 taught part, where a group of academics coming from all Departments of the International Faculty actively participated under the guidance and inspiring delivery of Dr Nigel Russell, Programme Director, and Dr Karen Ford, Course Tutor. More specifically, Module 2 is entitled Curriculum Design and Development and it is a crucial component of the programme, as it involves intensive discussions and activities on Learning Outcomes, Teaching Activities, as well as the preparation and presentation of Curricula in Higher Education, exposing Staff members to a plurality of models and approaches. Moreover, a Question-Time Session took place on the last day of the visit emphasising on Strategic Issues and Developments in Learning and Teaching. Crucially, this programme allows our staff to become self-reflective, as this module instils in them a culture of constant self-evaluation and reflection. It should be noted that a PG Certificate is awarded by the University of Sheffield, School of Education to participants after the successful completion of the course and its requirements, and graduates become Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. The PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching is particularly significant for the development of our Academic Staff, as it leads to their personal and professional development as lecturers, safeguarding also the process of module and curriculum design. It also ensures that our Staff is up-to-date and offers students the optimum experience in terms of efficient teaching, assessment and organisation. In its commitment to the highest academic standards and integrity, as well as staff performance, the International Faculty proudly encourages and supports its entire staff in participating in this scheme, with a view to remaining pioneers in Tertiary Education in Greece and abroad.

31/01/2018

Our English Studies Dept. is eagerly welcoming the Christmas festivities!

It’s looking a lot like Christmas at the English Studies Dept. of the University of Sheffield International Faculty! In a joyful and festive atmosphere, our students and Faculty staff gathered around the tree and brought it to life with its decorations and its sparkling colorful lights. The ‘magic’ began on the second floor of the Prox. Koromila building, where our tree proudly stands, and moved on to a meeting room where Christmas songs, Santa hats and handicrafts set the scene! Our students and staff made sure that this celebration be warm and beautiful by lavishing our Christmas table with a plethora of pastries, traditional pitas, piroshkies and home-made cakes! Surprises were not missing from the get-together event as a few lucky of us got to win wonderful Christmassy presents in a gift auction that our members of staff had secretly organised. The English Studies Department would like to extend its sincere and warmest wishes to everybody and wish you all a wonderful Christmas holiday and a Happy New Year!

22/12/2017

Christmas Party at the English Studies Department

08/12/2017

Guest Lecture on the psychology of the intimate interpersonal relationship

Information T: +30 2310 224421 E: vpapachristou@citycollege.sheffield.eu  

29/11/2017

Dr. Patsala invited as a Keynote Speaker to the TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Welcome Back Event

The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College and the English Studies Department have initiated yet another academic year in a productive and promising showcasing of their activities. With an emphasis on our on-going collaboration with the local community of Thessaloniki, Dr. Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Dept., was invited to a deliver a Keynote Speech at the TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Welcome Back Event through her presentation “Picturing Public Engagement: Its relevance to education, its impact on society.” This presentation was dedicated to the staff and students involved in the Public Engagement Scheme of the English Studies Department, which has envisioned education as a transformational experience for both academic staff and learners. This programme, which includes English language lessons offered to high-school students coming from financially weak families, is in line with the mission of CITY College to prepare students for an active presence outside and beyond the university, to mould responsible citizens, who feel accountable to their local and wider community and who share with a firm understanding of their personal and local identity. More precisely, Dr. Patsala’s presence at the event aimed at disseminating and consolidating the educational practices pursued at the International Faculty, and, pivotally, at articulating our Institution’s identity as shaped through its global focus but also its commitment to the society.  More specifically, the aim of Dr. Patsala’s presentation was threefold: Firstly, to inform and engage the public in the English Studies Dept. Public Engagement Scheme—an initiative organised, realised and run by staff and students of the Department;   Secondly, to situate this particular initiative within a wider and global shift that has been changing the texture of education universally, namely an understanding of teaching and learning as civic and community-driven and not solely student-centred; and   Thirdly, based on the experience built on “Engaged Learning,” to sensitise and encourage other individuals, institutions, and organisations to identify in a cautious and consistent manner communities in need, in order to contribute themselves to further educational initiatives that will benefit specific vulnerable groups in the community. The English Studies Department would like to wholeheartedly thank the Board of TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Northern Greece for their invitation and the opportunity to demonstrate how teaching a foreign language to a vulnerable population can have a valuable impact, finding new approaches to foreign language teaching, or simply brightening people’s lives!

31/10/2017

An exciting Professional Development Seminar by Ms. Maria Theologidou in the English Studies Dept.

In order to match the International Faculty English Studies Department’s enthusiasm for the beginning of the new academic year, this year’s Personal and Professional Development Seminar Series was launched on Tuesday, October 24th, on a playful note, as the title of its first presentation "Are you blogging to me?" suggests. More specifically, Ms. Maria Theologidou shared with us her experience as an avid blogger, introducing the audience to ways in which blogging can be used as a means of inspiration in the EFL classroom as much as it can be employed as a means to elicit, enhance and evaluate students’ language skills. Specific suggestions were also offered related to types of activities that could be used in the classroom context or even the lecture hall. Ms. Theologidou is a Part-time Lecturer in the English Studies Departmentof the International Faculty CITY College; she is also the General Secretary and e-bulletin Editor-in-chief for TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Northern Greece and an EFL teacher. We would like to sincerely thank Ms. Theologidou for her illuminating and, above all, fun contribution, as well as Dr Kelly Pasmatzi and Dr Vicky Papachristou, the coordinators of the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Seminars. The PPD Seminar Series in the English Studies Department comprises of tri-weekly seminars that are targeted at broadening the ESD staff members and students’ horizons and enhancing their academic, personal and professional skills. These are meant to further expand the knowledge areas addressed by the Department’s curriculum and to offer students a varied skill set.  

27/10/2017

Language in Focus - International Conference 2018

www.languageinfocus.org lif2018@languageinfocus.org  

20/10/2017

The English Studies Department at the 3rd International Conference for the Promotion of Educational Innovation

Dedicated to both novelty in pedagogy and teaching as well as innovation in the educational context, the English Studies Department’s (ESD) presence at the 3rdInternational Conference for the Promotion of Educational Innovation was notable. More specifically, Dr Giorgos Dimitriadis and Ms. Margarita Kosior contributed to this event which took place on October 13-15 in Larissa, Greece through the presentation of their work. The themes of the Conference included Innovative Teaching Practices and Methodologies at all levels of education, Intercultural Education, as well as Art and Education among others — all of which are areas that have greatly interested members of our Department from a research and teaching perspective. As part of this concerted effort to pursue the department’s research interests in teaching and innovation, Dr Dimitriadis and Ms. Kosior delivered a presentation entitled “Evaluating Film as a Teaching Aid for Intercultural Classes of Children and Early Adolescents,” in which they elaborated on the effectiveness of using cinema as a tool for language teaching and also provided participants with ideas on how they can use movies in their intercultural classes. Mr. Giorgos Dimitriadis and Ms. Margarita Kosior Moreover, Dr Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Department was invited by the 3rd International Conference Organising Committee to Chair sessions devoted to teaching methodologies of Foreign Languages and promoting educational innovation in Language Teaching, but also in order to explore collaboration opportunities with the Scientific Association for the Promotion of Educational Innovation (E.E.P.E.K.).  ESD Staff members with Mr. Liovas and Mr. Kolokotronis from EEPEK The Conference was organised by E.E.P.E.K. in collaboration with the University of Thessaly, the TEI of Thessaly, the English Teachers Association of Larissa and the Representation of the European Commission in Greece. It was further supported by the Teachers 4 Europe educational initiative of the European Commission Representation in Greece and the French Institute of Larissa. The crowded Amphitheatre and full-house Sessions unveiled success stories of numerous educational Projects taking place in Greece and abroad! Congratulations to our Staff members on their illuminating presentation and for representing the Department in a perfectly-organised International Conference full of innovative Ideas already implemented in class.

19/10/2017