SHINE

Twinkle Star has the pleasure of inviting English teachers to register for the SHINE -English Teaching Annual Conference (S- speeches, H- hands on learning, 

I – interaction, N- networking, E – engagement).

SHINE English Teaching Conference

From Chalk to Chatbots: The Tech Twist on Teaching English

5th of January 2026

Sixth Edition - Online

This year’s theme, “From Chalk to Chatbots: The Tech Twist on Teaching English”, highlights how technology is reshaping both the learning experience and the teacher-student relationship. In an era driven by AI, social media, and rapid cultural shifts, the role of educators goes far beyond delivering content, it involves equipping next-gen learners with essential skills like critical thinking, digital responsibility, and adaptability.

The conference will explore innovative teaching approaches designed to meet the challenges of today’s educational landscape. From interactive digital tools to educational chatbots, participants will discover how to harness technology to create engaging, meaningful learning experiences. Together, we’ll examine how external influences, like pop culture and online trends, can be transformed into powerful educational resources that foster authentic connections and long-lasting impact in the classroom.

Why join?

Discover the benefits of attending the 2025 online edition of the Shine English Teaching Conference.

You will learn from top notch national and international ELT professionals

We will be tackling topics of great interest for ESL teachers

You will have the opportunity to join a community of ELT professionals

There will be special deals on very useful teaching tools

Guest Speakers

We are thrilled to introduce to you some of the guests that we will have at the SHINE English Teaching Conference!

Meet the Speaker

Irina Șubredu is a psychotherapist, trainer, and educational advisor, and the founder of Becoming Center – a space dedicated to therapy, training, and personal development.

With over 18 years of experience working with students, teachers, and academic communities, Irina blends scientific rigor with a compassionate approach to emotional education, resilience, and wellbeing. Drawing on evidence-based models such as Schema Therapy and emotional regulation research, she creates safe, supportive learning environments offering practical tools for immediate use, informed by study visits across Finland, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, and by leading numerous wellbeing-focused projects.

Her work includes training university teachers to offer emotional first aid to students, running a year-long wellbeing support group for teachers, and training over 100 rural educators to address emotional challenges in the classroom.

Irina Șubredu

Psychotherapist, trainer, and educational advisor

Meet the Speaker

Jamie Keddie is a teacher trainer and storyteller who has worked with educators in more than forty countries.

 

He is the author of Images and Bringing Online Video into the Classroom for Oxford University Press, and Videotelling for LessonStream Books. He is the founder of LessonStream, a community built around using story to engage learners. Jamie is also an affiliate trainer for NILE in the UK and a trustee of the Hands Up Project, a charity that connects Palestinian schoolchildren with classrooms around the world through storytelling.

 

We can’t wait to have him share his insights at SHINE 2026 – a unique opportunity for all educators who want to blend creativity, digital media, and innovation into their teaching practice

Jamie Keddie

Teacher, teacher trainer and author

Meet the Speaker

Robert Martinez has over 30 years of experience in TESOL across 10 countries. He is an IHWO Inspector, Eaquals Inspector/Board Trustee and Head of Innovation and Digital Presence at Lacunza IH San Sebastian, Spain.

He holds the CELTA, DELTA, CertICT(Distinction), MA TESOL(Merit), MA Digital Tech for Language Teaching(Distinction), PGD Academic Management(Distinction), NILE MA PDLE(Merit), the PD in Digital Learning Design(Distinction) and is a language assessment specialist for Cambridge and IDP IELTS.

He is TESOL-SPAIN AC Gipuzkoa and Ambassador for TESOL CONFERENCES and EduVerse, and a CELTA Tutor & Assessor. Robert is also active online, with a teacher-focused YouTube channel Learning Together with Robert and an engaged community on LinkedIn.

Robert Martinez

Teacher trainer, Eaquals Inspector and Board Trustee, CELTA, DELTA, CertICT distinctions, MA in TESOL, CELTA Tutor and Assessor

Meet the Speaker

Charles Stewart is Professional Learning and Development Specialist at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, based in Prague. He began his ELT journey in 2011 and he has extensive experience in delivering training sessions to teachers in countries across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Additionally, he is enrolled in an MA programme in Professional Development for Language Education. Charles has particular interest in supporting learners with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and brings his vast classroom experience into each training session that he leads.

Charles Stewart

Professional Learning and Development Specialist at Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Meet the Speaker

Russell Stannard is a multi-award-winning Educational Technologist and founder of www.teachertrainingvideos.com. He has more than 98,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel and a very active newsletter that he has been running since 2008.

He received awards from the British Council ELTONS, the Times Higher and the University of Westminster for his work in the use of ICT in education. He has been a teacher, teacher trainer and materials writer/producer since 1987.

Russel Stannard

Trainer, Educational Technologist, winner of multiple awards for his work in the use of ICT in education

Meet the Speaker

Alexandra Radu is an experienced English language teacher, Group Leader at Twinkle Star, Cambridge Exams trainer and teacher trainer with over 15 years of experience in the field of ELT. She holds a PhD in English, an MA in American Studies as well as multiple other distinctions such as the Cambridge Train the Trainer qualification.

With extensive experience in preparing students for Cambridge exams (A1–C1) and teaching English in general she focuses on practical, engaging methods that promote real and valuable communication in the classroom as well as on techniques that boost students’ skills in an effective way. While doing so, she makes sure to guide young teachers down the path of excellence as well.

Alexandra RADU

PhD, Senior ELT Professional, Teacher Trainer & Group Leader at Twinkle Star Romania

Meet the Speaker

Marina Falasca is a teacher educator, researcher, author and consultant specializing in TEFL methodology, educational technology, and global citizenship education. She lectures at Lenguas Vivas J.R.F. and INSPT UTN in Buenos Aires, where she also supervises the teaching practicum.

As STAR Country Director for Argentina, Marina designs and leads international programs that promote sustainability, intercultural learning, and the pedagogically grounded integration of emerging technologies. She is also a member of the RHET AI coalition, an interdisciplinary group of educators, industry leaders and scholars committed to developing critical, ethical, and human-centered approaches to artificial intelligence (AI).

Her work has been recognized with awards for promoting inclusive and future-ready teaching practices.

Marina Falasca

Teacher, Teacher Trainer & Writer

SHINE
English Teaching Annual Conference

The conference will be made up of two main sections – the free access session and the gold session. There aren’t any registration fees for the free access session and the access pass for the gold sessions is 200 Ron.

10:00-13:30

Free Session

10:00-13:30
13:30-14:00

Lunch Break

13:30-14:00
14:00-16:30

Gold Session

14:00-16:30

Gold session

Don’t miss the most anticipated event of the conference, the Gold Session, where leading ELT professionals explore how technology, creativity, and human connection are reshaping the way we teach and learn English.

 

This year’s lineup features two inspiring speakers already confirmed to take the stage:

 

Jamie Keddie – teacher trainer, author, and founder of LessonStream.

 

Alexandra Radu, PhD, Senior ELT Professional at Twinkle Star Romania.

 

Join us and get inspired by the future of English Language Teaching!

Register for a Gold Session

Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity – secure your spot today and elevate your experience with added insights and value.

Upgrade from a Regular Pass to a GOLD Pass access – Get your ticket now (200 RON)

* please include „SHINE” alongside your full name when making the payment.

Feedback from past participants:

Find out how participants from previous editions of the Shine English Teaching Conference have rated their experience.

I really liked this experience.

It is not the first time I have joined online conferences, but this one has kept my attention for more than 3 hours, which is something. I found out useful ideas, useful info, interesting approaches, and similar concerns. The last but not the least important, I discovered wonderful people. Thank you !

It is not the first time I have joined online conferences, but this one has kept my attention for more than 3 hours, which is something. I found out useful ideas, useful info, interesting approaches, and similar concerns. The last but not the least important, I discovered wonderful people. Thank you !

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Laura I.
I very much enjoyed

the opportunity to hear brilliant presentations which prove really useful in the teaching process and in our own professional development.

the opportunity to hear brilliant presentations which prove really useful in the teaching process and in our own professional development.

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Mihaela C.
The presentations were

quite informative and engaging, I really regret not booking the Gold session as well. But will do next year!

quite informative and engaging, I really regret not booking the Gold session as well. But will do next year!

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Raluca M.
Events as this one

keep me motivated and willing to connect with other teachers, trainers to learn something new, in spite of 21 years of teaching experience so far. Thank you!

keep me motivated and willing to connect with other teachers, trainers to learn something new, in spite of 21 years of teaching experience so far. Thank you!

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Crina C.
Very informative, enthusiastic moderators,

very well organised. Thank you so much for sharing valuable information with us!

very well organised. Thank you so much for sharing valuable information with us!

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Luiza R.
Thank you very much

for all the useful information, Twinkle Star! Looking forward to attending more of your presentations!

for all the useful information, Twinkle Star! Looking forward to attending more of your presentations!

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Adina M.
A very insightful and fruitful event,

with plenty of resources and tips to motivate students în class and guide them în order to achieve good results în Cambridge exams.

with plenty of resources and tips to motivate students în class and guide them în order to achieve good results în Cambridge exams.

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Lavinia – Valentina G.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of SHINE - English Teaching Conference 2026 edition!

 All participants will receive a certificate of participation.