Gülbin Özdemir
Serik Science & Art Center
Türkiye
Gülbin Özdemir is a teacher of English who teaches gifted and talented students in Turkey. She has been working as an English teacher for more than10 years. She is certified TESOL Advanced Practitioner and working as an ambassador for the International English Teachers’ Association and Global School Alliance. She’s currently working on her Master’s thesis in the field of ELT. In 2022 and 2023, she was nominated for the Dedicated Teacher Award from Cambridge University Press.
Challenges in Teaching English to Gifted Students
26/07/2025 19:00 UTC
This talk explores the specific challenges faced by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers working with gifted students in Türkiye. It highlightes the mismatch between standard language curricula and the advanced learning needs of gifted learners, who often require faster-paced, deeper, and more creative engagement with the language.The talk emphasizes the need for more flexible teaching approaches, enriched content, and better collaboration with institutions like BILSEM to help gifted students reach their full potential in English language learning.
Key takeaways:
How gifted students differ in their language learning processes, including their creative use of language, and potential emotional and social challenges.
Common obstacles EFL teachers face in Türkiye, such as lack of differentiated materials, time constraints in mixed-ability classrooms, and limited training on gifted education.
Practical, research-informed strategies for engaging gifted learners—such as using authentic resources, open-ended tasks, and project-based learning—while promoting autonomy and deeper language acquisition.
🟨 Panel 2: Humans + AI — The New Harmony in Education
26/07/2025 05:00 UTC
Moderator
AI is rapidly reshaping education—but how do we ensure it augments rather than undermines human connection and teacher agency? This panel investigates how educators and intelligent tools can collaborate to unlock learner potential. In particular, we’ll dive into the evolving role of AI in English language learning, feedback systems, and classroom innovation.
Topics to explore:
AI in English classrooms: friend or foe?
Amplifying the human element through automation
Ethical and inclusive AI design in schools
Smart assessment tools and learner voice