When 250 Colleagues Come Together: Reflections from Eaquals Conference 2026 in Berlin

 

There’s always a moment, a few days after the conference ends, when it properly sinks in.

You’re back at your desk, back into routine, but your head is still somewhere else. A conversation you had over coffee. A note you scribbled during a session. An idea you’re still turning over, thinking this could actually work.

That’s usually a good sign.

From 12–14 March, over 250 colleagues from more than 36 countries came together in Berlin for the Eaquals Conference 2026. What stood out this year, as it often does, wasn’t just the programme, but the mix of people in the room.

We had participants from four continents, including Costa Rica, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Colombia and the UAE, alongside colleagues from across Europe. Around 30% were first-time attendees, which brought a fresh dynamic while still keeping that familiar Eaquals feel, where conversations start easily and continue naturally.

Starting with something practical

The conference began with a pre-conference session led by Bea Segura Harvey, focusing on something many of us are trying to figure out right now: what AI actually looks like in the day-to-day running of our institutions.

Participants worked on drafting AI policies, testing tools, and thinking about how AI can support operational tasks so teams can focus more on the things that really need human attention.

At the same time, Eaquals inspectors met for their annual training, reviewing, refining and making sure that the standards behind Eaquals accreditation continue to evolve and stay relevant.

Recognising people and long-term commitment

The opening session is always a chance to pause and recognise the people and institutions behind the work.

 

This year, the Eaquals Teacher Award went to Isil Ozdemir, recognising her contribution to language teaching.

We also saw a number of colleagues receive Eaquals scholarships: Zeynep Sacan, Mehmet Abi, Tugba Yildirim Kumbasar, Serhat Asik and Mirjana Grandov Lacic, supporting their continued professional development.

And for the first time, we acknowledged institutions that have held Eaquals accreditation for 10 years or more. An important moment to recognise long-term commitment to quality.

 

Two days of ideas (and honest conversations)

Over the next two days, sessions covered everything from classroom practice and assessment to leadership and institutional strategy.

Beyond the topics, what stood out was the tone. Sessions didn’t just present ideas, they opened up conversations. People shared what’s working, but also what isn’t.

And that’s where the value often sits, in hearing that others are asking the same questions.

A small but important shift

One of the key announcements this year was the introduction of Eaquals K–12 Accreditation.

It’s a natural step. The Eaquals network has been growing and diversifying, and this reflects that reality. With this addition, Eaquals now offers accreditation across language schools, higher education, online providers and K–12.

It’s less about adding something new, and more about recognising what’s already there and supporting it properly.

Ending differently: Eaquals Voices

This year, we tried something new for the closing session.

Instead of a traditional plenary, we introduced Eaquals Voices, a panel bringing together colleagues from different

 contexts and regions.

Chaired by Julie Wallis, the discussion included voices from K–12, language schools and higher education, with Lucy Griffin, Federico Mari, Iñaki Letamendia and Eman Alshami sharing their perspectives.

They spoke about the realities they’re facing, teacher workload, student motivation, technology,  but also how they’re responding in their own contexts and what they think lies ahead.

It felt like a fitting way to close: not one perspective, but many.

And then… Seville

This year, the usual “worst kept secret” was a little harder to crack. With our sleuthing competition, participants put their detective hats on, and the final reveal confirmed that next year, we’ll be meeting in Seville.

Congratulations to Joanne Gillespie from the British Institute of Rome, who guessed correctly and will be joining us next year.

Before that, we’ll meet again at Eaquals Online (9–10 October), another chance to keep the conversation going.

What stays with you

Every conference has its sessions, its themes, its keynotes.

But what tends to stay with people is something simpler.

The feeling of walking into a room where conversations start easily. Recognising faces from previous years, and meeting new ones that quickly feel familiar. That sense that, even across different contexts, a lot of the challenges and ideas are shared.

That’s something this year’s conference captured well and it’s something that only works because of the people who are part of it.

So, a genuine thank you to everyone who was there participants, speakers, sponsors and the Eaquals Board of Trustees. Every contribution, big or small, helped shape what the conference became.