News
Invited Speech by Dr Patsala at the University of Prishtina
Dr Paschalia Patsala, Head of English Studies Department of the University of Sheffield International Faculty, delivered an Invited Speech to students and Academic Staff at the English Studies Faculty, University of Prishtina. The presentation was entitled "Foreign Language Classroom Dilemmas: Teach(er) or Manage(r)?" and was warmly attended by more than 70 final-year students. During her talk, Dr Patsala shared her experience in relation to daily dilemmas that foreign language teachers meet in their classes of various levels and age groups, and she discussed with participants in an interactive manner how an English language teacher can increase student active engagement and assist learners in improving their academic performance, ensuring them at the same time a constructive and creative learning experience. This Presentation also marks the beginning of the collaboration between the English Studies Department of the University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College and the English Studies Department of the University of Prishtina, and opens up opportunities for collaboration between the Academic Staff of the two Faculties in the future.
11/05/2015
Seminar for English Language Teachers by Dr Patsala in Skopje
The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College, in cooperation with the English Teachers Association, ELTAM, delivered an open seminar addressed to foreign language teachers on the topic: “How to Achieve Excellence in the Foreign Language Classroom”. Dr. Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Language Department for the University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College presented a number of techniques and strategies aimed at foreign language teachers from the country. Dr. Patsala discussed various topics that are of great interest to language teachers nowadays, among others: Class Management, Teaching and Learning Methods in relation to Foreign Languages, Improving Learner Autonomy, and Contemporary Technologies in ELT. This open seminar gave the opportunity to Dr Patsala to share her expertise with the foreign language teachers from the country, wishing to contribute to teachers’ effort to increase student active engagement and academic performance. During the seminar, Dr. Patsala discussed the usage of possible classroom scenarios, strategies and initiatives through which foreign language teachers will be able to recognize potential points of concern and lead the way to a more effective learning experience. In addition, all participants were provided with online and printed materials and tools related to practical teaching ideas, and they were awarded Certificates of Attendance. Dr. Paschalia Patsala has approximately 15 years of experience in Higher Education, having taught in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes offered by various European and American Universities (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR; Empire State College - State University of New York, USA; University of Greenwich, UK; University of Wales–Institute Cardiff, UK; Institut Universitaire Kurt Bosch, Switzerland, etc.). This professional seminar marked the beginning of the collaboration between the English Studies Department of the University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College and ELTAM, which judging by the immense interest for participation, undoubtedly opens up vast opportunities for professional development in the future.
06/05/2015
Our English Studies Department in the 22nd TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Annual International Convention
The English Studies Department of The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College participated with two presentations in the 22nd TESOL Macedonia-Thrace Annual International Convention that took place in Thessaloniki on Saturday and Sunday, 28-29 March, at ACT. During the first presentation entitled “Re-negotiating the Basics: Learner Autonomy,” Ms. Kosior and Mr. Mantzaris traced the transition from teacher-centered to student-centered approaches and methodologies, and examined their implications in language learning and teaching. In this direction, they addressed a range of practical suggestions on how to construct and develop learner autonomy in EFL environments, through the use of self-reflective processes (such as reflective reports and self-assessment portfolios), as well as technological tools (for example, TED talks and the TED-Ed platform, Clickers, and Youtube). Moreover, the two speakers highlighted the centrality and significance of the role(s) of the teacher in creating space for "magic moments" which foreground student motivation, creative engagement, and meaningful interaction. Special thanks are also due to Dr Tatsioka for her contribution during the preparation of this presentation. Photo Credit: @DimitrisTzouris In the second presentation delivered under the title “Paving the Way to Employability: A Student Trip of Achievements from Homework to Actual Work,” Dr George Dimitriadis explained how the International Faculty academic staff equip their undergraduate and postgraduate students with the necessary academic skills that will not only help them excel in their studies, but will also enable them to retain and employ these skills for their future careers as professionals. Dr Dimitriadis emphasized on the multifaceted mechanism that the International Faculty has developed in order to assist students in building their employability profile (for example, via tutorials, academic and transferrable skills Courses, workshops for UG and PGT students, the Sheffield Graduate Attributes, demo job interviews and CV developing seminars, and many more). The speaker described how students at CITY College gain control over their own learning and preserve it as part of their professional image in their current or future work environments. Both presentations were very well-received by the international audience and valuable feedback was provided by the attendees to the speakers.
02/04/2015
Our English Studies Department participates in the 22nd TESOL Macedonia Thrace Northern Greece Annual International Convention
The English Studies Department of the International Faculty, CITY College is going to participate in the 22nd TESOL Macedonia Thrace Northern Greece Annual International Convention, on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of March at the American College of Thessaloniki. In the frame of the event Dr George Dimitriadis and Dr Parschalia Patsala will hold a presentation entitled: "Paving the way to employability: A student trip of achievements from homework to actual work" which will take place on Sunday 29th of March at 16:00. The presentation is an opportunity to provide an insight into the University of Sheffield, International Faculty English Studies curricula and how students are prepared for a successful and exciting career as University of Sheffield graduates. Furthermore, a number of plenary speakers specialising in ELT training namely Marjorie Rosenberg, Andrew Wright, Alec Williams and Ken Wilson will present topics related to the subject of the convention which is "Back to Basics" and basically will introduce "old-fashioned" values, techniques, methods in ELT and their use in line with the new technologies. View the programme You may join the facebook page to read more about the speakers, topics and other useful information
24/03/2015
Lecturer from our English Studies Department participates in International Conference
Margarita Kosior, Lecturer of our English Studies Department, participated in the 22nd International IATEFL Slovenia Conference with a presentation entitled “Adopt, Adapt, Improve”. The conference took place on 5-8 March in Terme Topolšica, Slovenia, and Ms. Kosior co-presented a workshop “When ELT met TED”. In the first part of the session, Dimitris Tzouris, Social Media Officer at TEDxThessaloniki, introduced the audience to TED, a platform for sharing ideas, and TEDEd, an educational platform that allows anyone to create an online lesson based on a YouTube video. During the second part, Ms. Kosior explained how she has revolutionised her way of teaching by discarding traditional handouts and turning to online assignments built around TED talks of her choice. This innovative method involves assigning comprehension questions, recommending additional sources and getting the students involved in an online discussion. After the projection of a short TED talk (“Try Something New for 30 Days” by Matt Cutts) the audience got actively involved in creating an online lesson from scratch. The workshop was well attended and the feedback positive. Representatives of EFL teachers' associations from the Balkan region and central Europe expressed interest in the TED+ELT combination, and the presenters were invited to write an article for ELTA Serbia which will be published in their ELTA Journal.
18/03/2015
The International Faculty at the 6th Foreign Languages Forum in Thessaloniki
The International Faculty participated in the 6th Foreign Languages Forum and Book Exhibition that took place in Thessaloniki on Sunday, 8th of March at the Grand Hotel Palace. In the frame of the forum, lecturers from our English Studies Department, namely Dr George Dimitriadis, Mr Thomas Mantzaris, Dr Vicky Papachristou and Dr Paschalia Patsala, Head of Department, delivered an interesting and educative presentation entitled “Problems? What problems?” Tips, Tricks and Traps in Managing Foreign Language Classes of Adult Learners. In a lively and interactive presentation, the speakers identified the problems and challenges that EFL teachers face mainly in the foreign language classroom - though not exclusively - and suggested practices to deal with them. A number of realistic scenarios were presented and discussed with the audience while the presenters suggested a wide range of strategies and initiatives through which foreign language teachers can gain and maintain control of their audience, as well as maximise students' active engagement and performance. Overall, the participation of the International Faculty in the Forum was successful and provided the opportunity to our English Studies Department to showcase their work and academic programmes.
11/03/2015
English Studies Department Induction
The Induction Week of the English Studies Department was filled with informative and social sessions in which the new students, but also College Administration and Staff participated with equal enthusiasm! Among the highlights of the Induction, students experienced an introduction to the Programmes, Courses and College Services of the International Faculty, team-building activities, workshops, meetings with personal tutors, and plenty of opportunities to get to know each other. It's official. The ice is broken! Welcome to the ESD Family!!
24/10/2014
Linguistics at Sheffield rank 3rd in the UK at the University Subject Tables 2014 of CUG!
The University of Sheffield climbed to the 3rd position for 2014 in the subject of Linguistics at "the Complete University Guide" (CUG). Factors such as entry standards, student satisfaction, research assessment and graduate prospects helped our university to reach the top three universities in Great Britain! For full details see the 'Complete University Guide' web site Check out the University of Sheffield English Studies programmes offered in Thessaloniki: English Studies Department
28/08/2014
Seminar: “Contemporary Learning and Teaching Technologies in the ELT Classroom”
The seminar “Contemporary Learning and Teaching Technologies in the ELT Classroom” which took place in the frame of the 5th Foreign Languages Forum, in Thessaloniki, 24th August, attracted the interest of many specialists in the area of language teaching. The seminar was delivered Ms Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Department. The audience had the pleasure to take part in a seminar which combined theoretical knowledge, practises and examples that English language teachers can make use of in an effort to enhance classroom learning and enrich their teaching in a truly engaging and appealing manner. Moreover, additional hardcopy material with specific examples on the implementation of these tools have been provided to participants. CITY College, the University of Sheffield International Faculty was an exhibitor as well as a contributor to the academic programme of the forum, with the seminar delivered by Ms Patsala. The Department of English Studies offers the new programmes ΒΑ (Ηons) in English Language and Linguistics and MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL and provides the opportunity to students to acquire top class knowledge and specialization, as well as to receive the University of Sheffield prestigious degree. Read the seminar's abstract
26/08/2014
5th Foreign Languages Forum in Thessaloniki - 24 August
The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College is going to participate in the 5th Foreign Languages Forum on the 24th of August at the Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki. Mr Thanos Hatziapostolou, Senior Lecturer at the Computer Science Department and Dr Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Department will present a speech titled “Contemporary Learning and Teaching Technologies in the ELT Classroom”. The presentation will take place at 13:30-14:25 in Room Olymbia B at the Grand Hotel Palace. Furthermore, the International Faculty will be available to visitors at its booth throughout the duration of the forum! Visit our stand and take this chance to find out more about us and our English Studies programmes! View the programme View the abstract of the speech: “Contemporary Learning and Teaching Technologies in the ELT Classroom”
20/08/2014
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