The Second YUFE-Ukraine Contact Seminar, held from 12 to 14 November 2024, in the historic city of Torun in Poland, brought together language education educators and innovators from all over Europe and Ukraine. The seminar, hosted by Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) as part of the Copernicus Integration Network (COIN2) project, was funded by NAWA’s Solidarity with Ukraine programme and focused on promoting online language education and strengthening international cooperation.
The Language Centre of the University of Cyprus was represented by Dr. Shaunna Ioannidou, Françoise Jammet, Ekaterina Konina Stavropoulou and Dr. Duriye Gokcebag. Their presence highlighted the University of Cyprus’ commitment to promoting innovation and its leading role in shaping the future of language education.
The seminar began with a tour of the Old Town of Torun, creating a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. The first day concluded with the creative activity “Restaurant of Your Dreams”, which highlighted the role of innovative teaching strategies in improving language learning and cultural understanding.
Among the highlights of the seminar were two presentations by representatives of the University of Cyprus, which underlined the institution’s commitment to educational progress. Françoise Jammet presented “ChatGPT: A Useful Tool for Our Students … and For Us!” In her session, she discussed the transformative role of AI in language education, showing how tools such as ChatGPT can facilitate lesson preparation, provide personalised learning materials and automate feedback.
A different aspect was presented by Dr. Shaunna Ioannidou with the topic “Design, Development and Implementation of AR Scenarios – Exploring Our Experience and Practices in the DIMPE Project.” Based on her work in the Digitisation of Multilingual Programmes in European Higher Education Institutions (DIMPE) project, she highlighted how Augmented Reality (AR) can create interactive, immersive learning experiences. The presentation highlighted the potential of AR to transform traditional classrooms into dynamic, inspiring learning spaces, making language education more accessible and engaging.
The seminar programme also included discussions on topics such as evaluating writings created with the help of AI, integrating cybersecurity into language education, and implementing strategies such as teaching through projects and designing activities that enhance creativity and interactivity.
Ukrainian teachers contributed substantially to the discussions, sharing their experiences and offering a poignant reminder of resilience and adaptability in challenging circumstances. Their contributions highlighted the power of education as a tool for connection and hope.
The Second YUFE-Ukraine Contact Seminar was a celebration of collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to educational progress. For the University of Cyprus, it was an excellent opportunity to showcase its expertise, strengthen its partnerships and adopt new ideas that will guide its future initiatives. The seminar highlighted the vital importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges and the evolution of language education in an increasingly interactive world.
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://shorturl.at/qctKq)