Get to Know Our Presenters
2nd Symposium on Language Education and Research
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Marina Mattheoudakis is a Professor in Applied Linguistics at the School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She is the director of the Foreign Language Teaching Lab, School of English, which she founded in 2016, and the director of Me2glosses in Greece; this is a partner organisation of the information service of Bilingualism Matters at the University of Edinburgh. In 2005 she founded, with the support of the School of English, the 3rd Experimental school of Evosmos, the only experimental school in Greece supervised by a university foreign language department. She is currently the president of the supervisory committee of the school as well as the director of the Centre for Foreign Languages at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Between 2017 and 2019 she worked in Delaware, USA, where she designed and launched a bilingual immersion program (English and Greek). For this program, she was nominated twice for the Innovation Awards by the Department of Education in Delaware (2017 and 2019). In 2019 she received a scholarship and attended the Datawise Leadership Institute in Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA. She has participated in various research projects related to bilingual education and multilingualism (BALED, TEAM, SUCRE, CLIL LOTE, CLIL Prime, DysTEFL, among others). Her research interests lie in the areas of second language acquisition, bilingualism and bilingual education, language teaching methodology and corpus linguistics.
Athanasios Karasimos (akarasimos@enl.auth.gr) is an Assistant Professor in Computational Linguistics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of English. He is a graduate of the Department of Philology, University of Patras. He holds two European Masters in Speech and Language Processing (one of them at the University of Edinburgh) and his doctoral dissertation is in Computational Morphology. He participated in several research projects on Modern Greek dialects, corpora, aphasic speech, Digital Humanities, and training of English language teachers. He was a postdoctoral research fellow funded by IKY. He worked as an Adjunct Lecturer at HOU, AUTh, and NKUA teaching Educational Technology, Research Methodology, Computational Linguistics and Corpus Linguistics. He is a researcher in the national infrastructure for Digital Humanities DARIAH-GR / DYAS (Academy of Athens). His research interests focus on Computational Linguistics and machine learning, the use of corpora, education technology, and integrating video and board games into language teaching and learning.
SLER2025 Presenters
Dr. Lilit Sargsyan is an Associate Professor at Yerevan State University, has accumulated over 26 years of experience in language education and 15 years of teacher training facilitation. Holding a PhD in Philology and a commitment to CPD in L&T she was honored with a YSU Teaching Excellence Award. In addition to her contributions to the enhancement of L&T at YSU, her professional trajectory includes serving as the RA Representative of BFUG WG on L&T.
Dr. Lilit Sargsyan’s professional interests lie in Comparative Typology, Morphology, Neurolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, as well as Adult Education, Student-Centered Learning, Skills-based Learning and AI facilitated Personalized and Cohort-based Learning. Actively engaging in international conferences, she shares insights on topics such as Active Learning, SCL, Learning in the Era of Industry 5.0, etc. Presently, she is engaged in an EU funded TOT program on fostering critical thinking skills in higher education institutions.
Maria Teresa Martinez Garcia, PhD, is an associate professor in the English Department at the University of Valladolid, Spain. She received her PhD from the University of Kansas (USA), specializing in bilingualism and speech perception. After that, she has worked both in the USA (University of Texas A&M) and in South Korea (HUFS and University of Utah Asia Campus). At the University of Valladolid, she specializes in teaching advanced English and linguistics courses. Her research focuses on speech perception, language acquisition, and innovative pedagogical approaches to language instruction.
Dr. Muhammad Afzaal joined the Institute of Corpus Studies and Applications, Shanghai International Studies University, China as an associate professor after gaining his PhD at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China and extensive research fellow experience at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, and seven years teaching experience at Foundation University Islamabad, Pakistan. He is author of the book “Corpora and Discourses of the Belt and Road Initiative, 2023 by Springer, Nature ”. He received the Yang Yong research award from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's graduate school in China. Afzaal’s research interests include topics in the areas of corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis, translation & Interpretation studies, and, more particularly the merging of language sciences with AI. He has published extensively academic papers in SSCI, Scopus, and ESCI Indexed International journals such as Critical Discourse Studies, Corpora, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Discourse Studies, Asia Pacific Business Review, Chinese Journal of Communication, Asian Journal of Communications, Frontiers in Psychology, Humanities and Social Science Communications (HSSC), Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics and Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, etc. He can be reached at afzaal@shisu.edu.cn.
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=QN9vjPoAAAAJ&hl=en
Dr. Sashka Jovanovska is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philology, Goce Delcev University, Stip, Republic of North Macedonia with 15 years of experience teaching English. Her teaching focus is related to her scientific area: Language Science (Linguistics), specifically English studies, Grammar, Semantics, Semiotics and Syntax. She has taught undergraduate and Master’s students in: English Syntax, English Semantics, and English Sociolinguistics. From graduation to the present, Prof. Jovanovska has been active in various fields as a translator, interpreter and lecturer at conferences, seminars and symposiums. She has participated in numerous international trainings, conferences, seminars, projects, and serves as a reviewer and member of the editorial board for four international journals. She has published over 50 scientific papers in international journals, book chapters, a monograph and two student books dedicated to Linguistics. Items where Author is "Jovanovska, Sashka" - UGD Academic Repository With the modernizing era, she has shifted her research focus to exploring how artificial intelligence is integrated into platforms to enhance the learning experience closely related to the different functionalities and learning approaches implemented by applications and websites. In her keynote lecture, Prof. Jovanovska will talk about the increase in technological advancements. Artificial intelligence has been increasingly applied to the field of language learning, providing users with new possibilities for efficient and personalized learning. By utilizing highly advanced technologies such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing, new systems are being developed for automatic and instantaneous personalized lecture adjustments, interactive tasks, exercises, as well as smoothtranslation processes.
MSc Alevizou Konstantina is an English as a Second language teacher. She has been teaching the English language to students from A1 to C2 level. She graduated from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the department of English language and Literature in 2014. She also holds an MA in Applied Linguistics from Hellenic American University. She has been teaching for thirteen years and she is also an oral examiner. Currently, she is doing her second Master’s degree in Communication Technologies and STEAM education in European University of Cyprus.
MSc Evdoxia Frantzeskaki holds a BA from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in French language and Literature. She also holds a Master Degree in Teaching French as a foreign language from Hellenic Open University. Finally, she holds a certificate in Special Education from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The last 20 years she has been working as an English and French language teacher in private education. Her research fields and publications concern differentiated instruction and teaching foreign languages to children with learning difficulties and/or ADHD. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Cyprus at the Department of French Studies.
Francesco Michael Scaringella is a PhD student in Linguistic, Literary and Intercultural Studies in European and Extra-European Perspectives at the University of Milan. He holds a master’s degree in Languages and Cultures for International Communication and Cooperation from the University of Milan. His current research focuses on English language teaching in Chinese general senior high school. He is currently involved in a research stay at Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China. His interests encompass foreign language teaching, textbooks, linguistics, and the identity of bi/multilingual speakers.
Vasiliki Vlachou is an English teacher with experience in both private and public sectors in Greece, the UK and Italy, and she has also been working as a Senior Teacher/ Teacher Trainer in summer schools in the UK. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), a M.ed. in Teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language (TESOL) (Hellenic Open University), a M.ed. in Analysis and Teaching of the First and Second/ Foreign Language (University of the Aegean), while she’s also a CELTA holder. She has participated in conferences as a speaker and attendee in Greece and abroad while she has also conducted a webinar with the British Council UK on Alternative Assessment. She is currently based in Lemnos, working as a substitute English teacher.
Angeliki Voreopoulou is an English language teacher, writer and storyteller. She holds a BA in English and English Language (University of Kent at Canterbury), an MEd in TEFL (University of Bristol) and an MSc in Immersive Technologies - Innovation in Education, Training and Game Design (Democritus University of Thrace). Angeliki is dedicated to improving student learning through songs, games and storytelling. She is the author of several picture books designed for young English language learners. She stimulates her students by engaging them in European projects (Erasmus and Etwinning) fostering critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Her main interests include immersive technologies (AR and VR), gamification and the use of Web 2.0 tools.
Stefania Vlachou is an English teacher who has worked in the private and public sector in Greece, teaching English to students from kindergarten to high school, as well as adults. She also has experience working as a Senior Teacher/ Teacher Trainer in summer schools in the UK and she has been a Cambridge Speaking Examiner. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), and two master degrees, a M.ed. in Teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language (TESOL) (Hellenic Open University) and one in Analysis and Teaching of the First and Second/ Foreign Language (University of the Aegean). She has obtained the CELTA Certificate, and has recently participated as a speaker/ presenter in the 1st Seminar organised for postgraduate students from the University of the Aegean. She is currently based in Athens, working as a substitute English teacher.
Stephanny Julieth Pulido Núñez is an experienced English and Spanish language educator with over 7 years of professional experience in multilingual and multicultural settings, including the USA, Colombia, and indigenous Amazon communities. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the International University of La Rioja, Spain, and a Bachelor’s degree in Basic Education with a Focus on Human Sciences: English and Spanish from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Colombia.
Her current research focuses on integrating AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance English language teaching, specifically in designing and evaluating CEFR-aligned writing lesson plans. She has also worked as a Language Data Analyst at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, contributing to linguistic research on Spanish dialects. Her interests include curriculum design, educational technology, language acquisition, and leveraging AI to improve teaching outcomes.
Dr. Yasamiyan Alolaywi serves as an Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Her research focuses on second language acquisition and literacy. Dr. Alolaywi has published her work in prestigious journals and has presented at international linguistics conferences.
Anches Meder is a freelance InCorporate English trainer with over 25 years of teaching experience. She graduated in English and American Studies and History from the University of Vienna in 1999, and in English Language and Linguistics in 2013. She is also a CELTA-certified English teacher.
From 1997 to 2001, she worked as a translator in law and pharmacy. In 1998, she began working as a freelance English teacher for numerous large Austrian companies and later founded the “Austrian Language Company” which offers language classes, translations, proofreading, and editing services.
From 2006 to 2022, she was a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland in Eisenstadt. From 2013 to 2021 she was part of the permanent staff and served as the English coordinator for three of the university’s MA study programs. Anches left the university at the end of 2022 to become a full-time freelancer again.
Rita Szaszkó PhD is Associate Professor, Head of Department of Languages and Art Education at Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Jászberény Campus, Hungary. She has gained international experience in higher education and her research interests involve the effects of intercultural contact on foreign language learning motivation, intercultural communication and online education. Currently she is involved in the investigation of and teacher’s self-reflections. She makes presentations at conferences, writes and reviews research articles and chapters in English and Hungarian. She is also an opponent of doctoral theses.
Renáta Bernhardt PhD, is an Associate Professor at Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Jászberény Campus, Hungary. She conducts teacher training seminars and an obligatory course-unit for students specialising in pedagogy. She delivers courses on theoretical issues of education, didactics, pedagogical consultancy and research methodology. She is responsible for teaching practice. Her research interests involve innovative pedagogical practice, pedagogical concepts, self-reflection of teachers, digital parenting and digital ocmmunication. She presents at coferences and writes articles and chapters in English and Hungarian. She is the chair of the Hungarian Pedagogical Society in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County.
Laura Furcsa PhD, is a College Assistant Professor at Budapest Business University, Department of Communication. Currently, she delivers courses on different aspects of communication and culture. She is a regular reviewer and contributor of conference presentations, professional journals and doctoral dissertations. She participated in several social and educational research projects and curriculum development. Her publications cover a wide range of topics, reflecting her professional interests in the social characterisics of communication and language development.
Aicha Rahal is a doctoral student at Pazmany Peter Catholic University, Hungary, as well as a researcher in linguistics celebrating a decade of research (2014-2024). Her scholarly interests include language pedagogy, sociolinguistics, language policy, and psycholinguistics. She is the author of many research papers and of two forthcoming books on language acquisition, as well as the co-editor of the book World Englishes and Language Assessment. She was a former online teacher assistant with the U.S. Department of State and the University of Oregon. In addition, Aicha was the laureate of the Africa Award, Liverpool 2019.
Haido Fanara is an EFL teacher at the American Farm School of Thessaloniki. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature and an MA in Language, Literature, and Digital Media in Education from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her undergraduate studies, she spent a semester at the University of East Anglia studying Literature. Her professional experience includes teaching English in UK summer schools and serving as an examiner for MSU language certifications. Her academic interests encompass Literature, Technology, Gamification, and Feminist approaches in EFL.