In the lead up to the ISTEK Schools 3rd International ELT Conference, we’ll be introducing some of the presenters on the blog. First up is Nina Lauder.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am active, energetic…and very messy at home! I love doing sports, travelling, going to the cinema and reading. I have a camper van and try to spend time in the summer by the sea or in the countryside.
What is your teaching background?
I started working with children and teenagers when I was a teenager myself. When I was young, I worked as a volunteer with special needs children, children from other countries who needed language training, children from abusive homes and for a year with teenagers who had suffered permanent spine or neck injuries in hospital. Over 20 years ago I started teaching ELT in Greece and have been teaching and working with teachers ever since!
Tell us a bit about your session.
As it says in the abstract for my session, curiosity killed the cat but lack of curiosity in the classroom might kill students’ will to learn.
What should your audience expect to learn?
I expect the audience to reflect on the importance of curiosity in the classroom and to share ideas on how we can enhance students’ natural drive to find out more about the world around them.
What words sum up your session?
‘Active’ and ‘practical’
Which other presenters are you looking forward to seeing?
There is an amazing line up of speakers…too many names to list 😉
Do you blog? Tell us about it?
Yes, I have a blog (http://ninaspain.blogspot.com) but I’m moving a lot of stuff onto my new Facebook page for professional development (the link to my page is on my blog)
Have you been to Turkey before or is this your first time?
I’ve been to Turkey a number of times…and LOVE it!
What other aspects of the conference are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues, drinking ‘elma chai’ (apple tea) and ‘nar suyu‘ (pomegranate juice) and getting a chance to practice my feeble attempts at Turkish. I’m also looking forward to the social events and to being back in beautiful Istanbul.
ISTEK Schools Third International ELT Conference 
Reblogged this on David's ESOL Blog.
Thanks, David!
Nina is very inspiring. I remember my coordinator and I leaving her session back in 2009 at the Oxford Academy so excited and inspired that we even thought was a good idea to enroll in a drama class ourselves. She is awesome. I wish I could attend her session again.
Thanks for that great comment, Rose. I’m looking forward to this session, too.