Eaquals International Conference 2026, Berlin

Abdulfattah Dukki

I am a lecturer of English at Dhofar University, Centre for Preparatory Studies. I have worked for many universities in Turkiye and currently I work in Oman. I am interested in learner-centered education, digital skills, and gamification in language teaching. Currently, I am focusing on integrating sustainably in education.

Ahmet Şerifi

Ahmet Şerifi is an EAP instructor at MEF University in Istanbul. He has over 20 years of experience and focuses on student-centered learning. His interests include flipped learning, assessment, and AI in education. He holds an MA in TEFL, CELTA, DELTA, and Cambridge Train the Trainer.

Alex Warren

Alex is a DELTA trained teacher trainer with over 18 years’ experience of working in ELT as a teacher, teacher trainer and academic director. He has presented in over 50 countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Based in the UK, Alex is currently the Senior ELT Academic Consultant for National Geographic Learning.

Alireza Kabiriaslifar

Alireza Kabiri is a lecturer and EdTech/AI Coordinator at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University’s English Preparatory Program. With over 15 years of experience in English language teaching and assessment, he holds a degree in English Literature and is a certified DELTA holder, IELTS teacher trainer, and Speexx coach. He leads institutional initiatives on AI integration and educational automation.

Anthony Green

Anthony Green is Director of Research at Oxford University Press. He holds a PhD in Language Assessment from the University of Surrey and was formerly Professor of Language Assessment at the University of Bedfordshire. His publications include “Exploring Language Assessment and Testing” (Routledge) and “IELTS Washback in Context” (Cambridge University Press).

Aslı Abak Şen

Aslı Abak Şen holds an MA in English Language Teaching from Bahçeşehir University and a BA in English Translation and Interpretation from Hacettepe University. She is pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at the University of Antwerp, focusing on writing assessment and rater training. She is the Head of Testing and Assessment at Acıbadem University

Ayşegül Sallı

Ayşegül Sallı is an Assistant Professor at Eastern Mediterranean University. She delivers courses in the Foreign Language Education Department and coordinates professional development team. Her work focuses on assessment literacy, reflective practice, technology integrated language teaching, and teacher identity construction.

Azam Samadi Rahim

Azam (Mehraveh) Samadi Rahim is an English instructor at Boğaziçi University and a Cambridge-certified DELTA teacher. She has extensive experience in university EFL programs and professional development for teachers. Her interests include learner autonomy, assessment, and integrating AI into communicative classrooms.

Beatrice Segura Harvey

Beatrice is an education consultant with over 19 years’ international experience across the UK, Europe, Latin America, and projects in Asia and the Middle East. She has led research, curriculum, and teacher development initiatives for ministries, universities, NGOs, and publishers.

Her current work focuses on AI integration and digital transformation in education. Through her consultancy, ELTSpecialist.com, she supports institutions worldwide to design sustainable strategies for innovation, quality assurance, and teacher capacity building.

Beatrice holds an MA in TESOL with ICT (Distinction) and a Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL, alongside specialist training in human–computer interaction, mentoring, and coaching. A published researcher and policy adviser, she regularly speaks at sector events including IATEFL, UKENIC, ECEL, ELTOC, and EnglishUK.

Her professional interests include teacher competencies, cross-team AI adoption, change management, and educational innovation. She contributes actively to sector research, publications, and policy development.

Behnaz Ebrahimzadeh

Behnaz Ebrahimzadeh is an EAP and English Language Instructor at MEF University. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature, an MA in Historical Linguistics, and CELTA. She is also a certified Neurolanguage Coach. With over 20 years of experience teaching adults, she specializes in creating engaging, learner-centered environments that support language development and academic success.

Burak Eroncel

Burak Eroncel holds an Ed.D. from the University of Liverpool. His research explored how accreditation influences quality culture in language programs. He is an active CEA peer reviewer, a DEDAK (Turkey’s national accreditation agency for language education programs) reviewer, and an IELTS examiner, with nearly two decades of experience in English language teaching and leadership.

Canan Aktug

EFL teacher, trainer, and educational consultant with 20+ years of experience. Holding an MA in Applied Linguistics, she is a Bell Certified Teacher Trainer and NILE Certified Training Development Professional. As co-founder of UKLA Academy, she designed its CPD program and contributed to EU projects supporting immigrant integration with gamified content and teacher training for refugee educators.

Caroline Turner

Caroline Turner is Director of Operations at International House London, responsible for academic strategy, planning, and delivery across the school. Her work focuses on connecting people, systems, and ideas to strengthen how courses are designed, managed, and experienced. Caroline has worked in ELT for over 16 years in teaching, training, and leadership roles.

Christian Berlin

Christian Berlin is an experienced education professional with over 20 years in language teaching and academic leadership. He holds Master’s degrees in Education and English Language and Literature from Stockholm University. As Director of the Language Department at De Vinci Higher Education in Paris, he leads a team of instructors and contributes to curriculum design and quality assurance.

Christopher Sanders

Chris Sanders is the Associate Director for Assessments at MEF University, Istanbul. He has been an ESL educator since 2004 in South Korea and Türkiye. He leads MEF’s Assessment Team and trains teachers in Türkiye and abroad. With a master’s in Information Systems, he focuses on AI in language education and academic integrity, and is completing an MA on AI-supported writing feedback.

Covaci Alexandra Mihaela

I am Covaci Alexandra Mihaela, an English Language Assistant at the University of Salento, Italy. With a Master’s in TESOL from Oxford Brookes and 20 years of international teaching experience, I am passionate about innovative language education. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Glasgow, researching how AI can enhance student motivation and engagement.

Dalia Fakash

Dalia Fakash is Head of the Quality Unit at Bursa Uludağ University School of Foreign Languages and an EAQUALS Inspector, lecturer, and teacher trainer. Dalia’s work sits at the junction of quality assurance, classroom observation, and standards-aligned professional learning.

David Kirwan

Born in the Channel Islands to Irish parents, grew up in Dublin, Ireland. BA Hons in Modern Languages at Trinity College Dublin and MSc TESOL at Aston University, UK. Experienced teacher, teacher trainer, and academic manager with a demonstrated history of working in the education industry.

David Little

David Little is a Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. His principal research interests are the theory and practice of learner autonomy in language education, the pedagogical exploitation of linguistic diversity, and the use of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to support the design of L2 curricula, teaching/learning programmes, and assessment. He has contributed to the Council of Europe’s work in language education since the 1980s, including its projects on the European Language Portfolio and the Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants. Most recently he has been academic coordinator of the Council’s Romani/Plurilingual Policy Experimentation (2022–2025).

Deniz Kılavuz

Deniz Kılavuz works as an instructor at the School of Foreign Languages. She received her BA degree in 2006 in English Language and Literature from Ankara University and an MA degree in English Language Teaching from Bahçeşehir University in 2024. She is interested in interdisciplinary studies and research, especially investigating the connection between technology and humans.

Donald Staub

Donald Staub is the Director of the School of Foreign Languages and the Director of the Office of Micro-Credentials at Izmir University of Economics (Izmir, Türkiye). His MA (TESOL) and doctorate (Educational Leadershıp) have inspired his curiosity and specialization in student retention, quality assurance, and micro-credentials. Donald is an Eaquals inspector.

Duygu Ozler

Duygu Özler has been active in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) for over 20 years. She holds a BA in American Culture and Literature, an MA in English Language Teaching, and professional qualifications including ICELT, DELTA, a Teacher Training Certificate from Sabancı University, and a Trainer Training Certificate from the Anatolian Training Institute.

Duygu has worked across a wide range of educational contexts—from primary schools to universities—taking on roles as a teacher, academic administrator, and teacher trainer. She is also one of the founding members of the TESOL Turkey Association.

Her professional interests include teacher research, in-service teacher education, critical thinking in education. She is currently serving as the Marketing Manager for Western Europe, where she continues to combine academic expertise with strategic leadership in the ELT sector.

George Pickering

George Pickering is a highly respected educational coach, trainer and consultant who has worked in over 65 countries. He is the academic course director of the English UK Diploma in ELT Management, and a tutor on other courses. He is a senior inspector for the British Council in the UK and an ex-trustee of IATEFL. He is a current IATEFL ambassdor.

Gülcin Cosgun, Dr.

Gulcin works as an instructor at Sabancı University. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in English Language Teaching. Her qualifications also include the DELTA diploma and a ICELT certificate, as well as a TESOL Advanced Practitioner Certificate. Gulcin has held pivotal roles in academia, including leadership positions in testing, curriculum development, teacher training, and line management.

Gülüzar Öztürk

Gülüzar is an experienced English language instructor with over 15 years of teaching. She specializes in academic literacy, curriculum design, and materials development. As a multilingual individual and as a certified intercultural trainer, she currently focuses on integrating innovative pedagogies, cultural understanding and intercultural communication into language teaching.

Hansa Başak Şahin

Hansa Başak Şahin holds a BA in American Culture and Literature from Fatih University and is currently pursuing an MA in English Language and Literature at Istanbul University. She works at Acıbadem University English Preparatory Programme as a Testing and Assessment Unit member.

Ines Paland-Riedmüller

Ines Paland works in the Product Development Division at Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e. V. / TestDaF-Institut. She focuses primarily on digital learning contexts with Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) and developing and implementing online language courses in higher education. As part of her work, she pilots ideas for the implementation of AI in learning.

Isil Ozdemir

Işıl Özdemir is an undergraduate English instructor at Özyeğin University. She earned her BA in American Culture and Literature from Istanbul University and her MA in Anglophone Literatures and Cultures from the University of Vienna. She also holds a Pedagogical Formation Certificate from Istanbul University. Before joining Özyeğin University, she served as an English Language Instructor at Istanbul Okan University.

Joanna Paolinelli

Managing Director of British School IH Pisa, Joanna Paolinelli (MSc Psychological Research Methods, MA Educational Psychology) is a teacher trainer who has worked with Cambridge, the British Council and LanguageCert and spoken at IATEFL, Eaquals and TESOL France. As project lead for Erasmus+ VR4LL 2.0, she focuses on innovation, AI and VR in inclusive learning.

Joanne Gillespie

Jo Gillespie has worked in ELT since 1995. Originally from New Zealand and now based in Italy, she has a background in international bilingual education and CLIL. With DELTA and an MA in TESOL, Leadership & Management, she is passionate about CPD and helping teachers grow in their practice. She finds joy in being a lifelong learner and loves connecting with teachers across cultures.

Joel David Compton

Joel has dedicated his career to education, earning two master’s degrees and currently working on a third. With over fifteen years of experience, he specializes in English for Academic Purposes where he helps students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills. He has a coach’s mindset, and loves when his students think for themselves then express those thoughts with clarity.

Jonathan Dykes

Jonathan started out as an English teacher but soon moved into management, and ending up running a small multinational group of schools, several of which he started. Jonathan also set up Net Languages, one of the world’s first Web-based language schools, and in 2020 co-founded Green Standard Schools, a global association of language schools that are committed to protecting the environment.

Karima Slamti

Dr. Karima Slamti is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh. She holds a PhD in Communication and Leadership and is a member of the Translation, Intercultural Communication and Knowledge Integration research lab. Her work focuses on digital education, media literacy, and new challenges in higher education.

Kassandra Robertson

Kassandra is an M.A. qualified trainer with over a decade of international experience in the U.S., Tunisia, and Turkey, primarily focused on EAP, CLIL, and ESP. She currently teaches content-integrated academic writing as part of the core curriculum of Sabancı University, where she is also involved in developing the pedagogical competencies of graduate assistant instructors across disciplines.

Katarzyna Elzbieta Stopa

I have been working at MEF SoFL as an EAP instructor since 2023. I received my BA degree in English Language Teaching from the University of Social Sciences in Poland, and I hold a CELTA from Cambridge English Language Assessment.

My professional areas of interest are implementing generative AI in language teaching, material preparation, and a task-based approach to teaching.

Katya Mognonova

Katya Mognonova is a freelance English teacher with 10+ years of experience. She holds a degree in TEFL, Cambridge Delta M1 and M2 certificates, and is currently working on her M3 assignment. She is passionate about lifelong learning and committed to creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. Her professional interests are course design and exam preparation.

Kholmurodova Olima Abdivalievna

Dr. Olima Kholmurodova is an Associate Professor and Head of the Foreign Languages Chair at Jizzakh State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan. Her academic interests include teacher education, reflective practice, and sustainable professional development in higher education. She has led numerous CPD initiatives for language educators nationwide.

Koray Tunc

Koray is the director of FLD at FSMVU. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English Literature and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the same program at Yeditepe University. Having a strong background in educational technologies, management, quality assurance, and artificial intelligence, Koray has been delivering staff induction programs and teacher training courses.

Linda Egnatz

Linda Egnatz is an award-winning Spanish educator and global advocate for multilingualism. As Executive Director of the Global Seal of Biliteracy, she leads a free international certification program that has recognized language skills in over 65 countries. A past ACTFL National Teacher of the Year and past president of JNCL-NCLIS, she combines classroom insight with an international focus.

Mahdis Rostam Zadeh

Mahdis Rostam Zadeh is an English teacher and trainer with 15+ years of ELT experience. She is the CPD Coordinator at MEF University’s School of Foreign Languages in Istanbul, supporting instructors through training, observations, and collaborative CPD. She holds a BA, MA, CELTA, and DELTA, and enjoys fostering engaging, reflective teaching.

Marija Pejatovic

Marija Pejatović is a teacher and teacher trainer from Serbia. She is the president of the National Association of Language Schools of Serbia, YALS, and coordinator of the National Association of English language teachers in Serbia, ELTA. She is the co-author of accredited programmes for the Ministry of Education of Serbia and co-author of the Skills Booster handbook for Serbian Civil Servants.

Marjan Ashtari

Marjan Ashtari is an English language instructor and assessment specialist at MEF University in Istanbul. She is completing the Cambridge DELTA to strengthen her expertise in curriculum design, needs analysis, and language assessment. Her academic interests include monolingual learning contexts, listening pedagogy, teacher well-being, and data-informed approaches to learner engagement.

Mehmet Doğan, Assoc. Prof. Dr.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Doğan is a scholar of German as a Foreign Language (DaF) and Ass. Director at the School of Foreign Languages, Bursa Uludağ University (Türkiye). His academic expertise lies in hybrid and technology-enhanced language learning, digital transformation in higher education, and design-based instructional modeling.

Mehtap Cicen

Mehtap Çiçen is an English instructor, Cambridge-certified teacher trainer, and PhD candidate in ELT. As a founding member and co-coordinator of QUASIG under TESOL Türkiye, she leads PD initiatives aligned with Eaquals and DEDAK standards, focusing on teacher learning, quality assurance, and sustainable institutional growth.

Meri Maroutian

Meri Maroutian is a DELTA-qualified English teacher based in Parma, Italy.
Meri is passionate about fostering inclusivity in education, she advocates for fair opportunities for all English language teachers, regardless of background. Fluent in four languages, she brings both personal experience and professional expertise to her work, aiming to dismantle biases in English Language Teaching (ELT)

Mike Riley

Mike Riley joined NILE as Deputy Director in 2020 after working as Teacher Training Manager at Macmillan Education. He started his teaching career in 2001 working with refugees and asylum seekers. He spent 15 years working as a teacher, director of studies and school director in Milan. His role at NILE involves supporting strategic and organisational management, and training and consultancy.

Mohsen Askari

Mohsen Askari is an English language instructor and EdTech specialist at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul. With over 15 years of teaching and teacher training experience, he focuses on AI-enhanced language learning, speaking assessment, and curriculum innovation. He received the Eaquals Teacher Award 2024 and has published in AI Magazine and Modern English Teacher.

Nazan Aktürk

English language instructor and academic supervisor at Bilkent University’s English Language Preparatory Program since 2001. Holds an M.A. in Education Management and DELTA qualification. Specializes in curriculum development, teacher training, and instructional design, with a passion for digital integration and innovative teaching practices.

Nazlı Deniz Barutçuoğlu

I work at MEF University School of Foreign Languages as an English instructor. I graduated from Ege University with a BA in English Language and Literature and Dokuz Eylül University with an MA in Translation and Interpreting. I hold a Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education from Boğaziçi University. I also hold a CELTA, and I was a Fulbright teaching assistant at the University of Massachusetts.

Nursel Çetinkaya

Nursel Çetinkaya is an English instructor at Bursa Uludağ University School of Foreign Languages. With over a decade of experience in teaching, testing, and curriculum development, she is passionate about innovative approaches to teaching and learning. She served in a leadership role as Assistant Director and continues to contribute actively to quality assurance and professional development.

Özlem Baykan

Özlem Baykan works as an instructor at Özyeğin University School of Languages. She holds BA and MA degrees in ELT, DELTA, and M.Sc. in Educational Leadership. Besides more than 15 years in ELT, she had various roles such as being a Team Leader and a Level Coordinator. She also provides service as a CELTA trainer; an EAQUALS Inspector, a CEA Commissioner, and as a committee member of IATEFL LAMSIG.

Ozlem Isler

I am a lecturer of English at Dhofar University, Centre for Preparatory Studies. I specialize in technology assisted language learning, learner autonomy, and integrating sustainability focused teaching practices into education. Currently, I am also interested in educational leadership.

Ozlem Zengin

Dr. Özlem Zengin, an English Instructor at Sabancı University, holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and CELTA/DELTA certifications. Her work focuses on innovative, tech-enhanced language programs and AI integration in education, emphasizing adaptive learning, personalized feedback, and learner autonomy. She is dedicated to promoting AI literacy and exploring ethical, practical uses of AI.

Robin A. Kosseff

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Robin currently serves as Coordinator of MEF University’s Writing & Speaking Center. She has broad experience designing curricula for EAP, sustainable development, history, geography, academic skills, and general English. Robin has participated in Eaquals’ last two international conferences and is a regular attendee at online webinars.

Safarova Fotima Ne'matulla qizi

I have been teaching English to students of various courses at Jizzakh Pedagogical University for 5 years. I research modern technologies in language teaching and strive to implement practical methods.

Sajeda Abusaif

Dr Sajeda Salem Abu Saif is the Executive Director and Academic Supervisor at Faseeh Institute for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers in Amman, Jordan. She leads curriculum innovation and teacher development initiatives grounded in international standards such as ACTFL and CEFR. Her work bridges research and classroom practice to enhance language learning outcomes.

Sarah Corrigan

Sarah Corrigan works with ATC Language Schools in Ireland as a teacher trainer, course developer, and AI coordinator. She has developed and delivered numerous training courses and workshops on AI in ELT, technology enhanced learning in ELT, and innovative classroom practice for international teachers.

Sena Silek

Sena Silek is the head of the CPD Unit and an English instructor at Bursa Uludağ University. A Hacettepe graduate, she worked at Ege University, completed her CELTA in England, and earned an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from Anglia Ruskin University. Currently focusing on coordinating CPDU activities, teacher research projects, and institutional quality development at BUUSFL.

Daniella You

Daniella Seong Hui You is the Executive Academic Manager in Learning & Development at Cultura Inglesa, based in Brazil. She is responsible for the pre and in-service training programmes and teacher development initiatives. She has implemented and managed teacher training and development programmes for over 20 years. She is also a member of the IATEFL LAMSIG Committee since 2024.

Serra Taner

Serra Taner has been an English Language Instructor at Bursa Uludağ University for many years. She focuses on communicative and learner-centred teaching, with particular interest in learner autonomy and reflective practice. She values continuous professional development and actively contributes to institutional quality enhancement.

Timothy Black

Tim has been a fulltime teacher in Luzern, Switzerland since 1993, first starting in the private sector and from 2004 in the FMZ a state college. He gained a CTEFLA from Cork University (1994) and an MA TEFL from Reading University (1999). He been an inspector for EAQUALS since 2001 when IH Zurich joined EAQUALS. His special interests are testing, writing skills, Business and the digital class.

Tuğba Yıldırım Kumbasar

Tuğba Yıldırım-Kumbasar is an English language instructor at Sabancı University School of Languages in Türkiye. She holds a BA in English Language Teaching, an MA in Turkish Language Education, and a PhD in Educational Sciences, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to language instruction. Her work focuses on arts integration in language instruction, teacher education, project-based learning, and intercultural communication, actively bridging theory and practice across classroom-based and online settings to enrich teaching and learning.

Tuğçe Temir

Asst. Prof. Dr. Tuğçe Temir is the Director of the Foreign Languages Department of the University of Turkish Aeronautical Association. She holds a BA in English Language Teaching from Gazi University and an MA and PhD in ELT from Hacettepe University. Her research and professional interests include self / peer reflective and regulatory practices, peer interaction, student empowerment.

Vladlena Tcherkachina

The Director of MEF University SoFL, has been actively involved in ELT management and teaching since 2010. Her professional interests encompass leadership, motivational management, staff well-being, effective utilization of technology, effective observation feedback, online teaching, Flipped learning and continuous professional development.

William Morrow

I am a teacher trainer and materials designer specialising in language teacher education, assessment, and inclusive classroom practice. I regularly work on CELTA programmes as well as designing and building professional development courses that bridge theory and practice through practical, classroom-focused solutions.

Yüsra Yahya Kasbaji

I am an EFL educator and teacher trainer with over a decade of international teaching experience. I hold an MA in Applied Linguistics from Pannon University and DELTA Module 3. Currently based in Istanbul, I am the PD coordinator at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University while also teaching English to Prep students. I also work as a freelance teacher trainer conducting ELT workshops across Turkey.

Zeynep Akın

Zeynep Oğul-Akın received her BA in ELT and MA in Educational Administration, Supervision, Planning and Economics. She has 30 years of ELT, 19 years of administrative expertise at 3 universities in Türkiye. Currently, she is the Academic Programs and ELT Manager at ETS EMEA and the co-coordinator of TESOL Türkiye LAMSIG.

Zeynep Saçan

English language instructor and academic supervisor at Bilkent University. She has worked on staff development, and institutional evaluation processes. Her professional interests include leadership in education and professional development. She has contributed to institutional improvement projects and is committed to promoting data-informed practices in academic management.