25 Years of OPTIMA: A CPD Event Celebrating Tradition, Innovation and Creativity

OPTIMA marked its 25th anniversary with an international conference titled “Tradition, Innovation and Creativity”, held on 7th June. Supported by the Eaquals Member Event Fund, the event brought together educators, school leaders, and ELT professionals from across the region. As an Eaquals associate member, OPTIMA used the occasion to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to quality in foreign language education.

A Diverse and Practical Programme

The conference offered a varied programme, combining established classroom practice with new ideas. Attendees included teachers, researchers, publishers, and academic managers. Together, they explored

different aspects of language education through talks, demonstrations, and interactive workshops.

Highlights of the day included:

• A suggestopedia demonstration in Italian, which introduced a humanistic and emotionally responsive teaching method
• Sessions on learner-centred assessment, multilingual strategies, and adapting games to enhance classroom engagement
• Presentations on teacher reflection, critical thinking, and the role of music in supporting learning and wellbeing

Speakers also addressed the use of emerging technology in education. One presentation focused on AI-based writing evaluation tools, showing how innovation can complement long-standing pedagogical values.

Connecting to Frameworks and Quality Standards

Throughout the day, several speakers referred to the Eaquals quality framework. They recognised its value as a point of reference when discussing teaching standards, course design, and good practice in language education.

Student Involvement and Broader Engagement

Although the Annual Reading Competition had taken place online in March, participants were recognised during the conference. Students received certificates and small prizes, connecting their achievements to the wider professional event.

The OPTIMA CPD teaching event also reflected the organisation’s role in supporting wider collaboration. New partnerships were announced with BETA (Bulgarian English Teachers’ Association) and BALC (Bulgarian Association of Language Centres), reinforcing OPTIMA’s focus on regional cooperation in language education.

Reflecting on 25 Years

The event provided a space to reflect on OPTIMA’s development over the past 25 years. Sessions highlighted current challenges, shared practical solutions, and encouraged professional dialogue. The emphasis on collaboration and continuing development remained central throughout the day.