Author: Katherine Reilly

Author & Educator, University Lecturer, English Language & Literature | Public & Motivational Speaker Katherine Reilly is an ELT Teacher Trainer and Author of numerous publications in children’s literature, teaching materials and ICT. Katherine has taught at numerous academic venues and professional events, including the University of Athens, the University of Limassol, the Malta ELTC Conference, and the Innovate ELT Conference at the Oxford TEFL training center in Barcelona. She has also contributed to British Council training sessions, spoken at multiple IATEFL SIGs events, and has delivered a TEDx talk focused on inclusivity, respect, and acceptance in educational settings. Her expertise includes training school faculties in inclusive teaching methodology and diverse educational materials adaptation. Katherine has also contributed to the field as a voiceover artist for various ELT publishers and as a regular contributor to ELT NEWS magazine. She has authored a range of educational materials and creative works, including ‘The Show Must Go On,’ ‘The Adventures of Ben & Friday,’ her guidebook ‘The Road to Femininity,’ and her academic handbook ‘Breaking Barriers – Inclusive Approaches to Modern Language Teaching.’ Katherine has collaborated with Express Publishing to create the Short Tales Series, a collection of 18 readers for young learners designed to enhance language acquisition through engaging stories. Her contributions to Prime Press Publishing include numerous publications, 20 in total, under the alias ‘Catherine R. Jones’, focusing on ELT pedagogy and teaching materials for educators. She has provided training to employees in both public and private organizations, advocating for workplace diversity. Her contributions extend to humanitarian efforts, including teaching underprivileged children and serving as vice principal at the Refugee School of Athens. These experiences inform her research and advocacy for equity in education, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and representation. She has spoken on behalf of organizations which empower and support women, namely ‘Mexoxo’ and ‘Women on Top’ in internationally known conferences such as the ‘Delphi Economic Forum’, ‘Live a Legacy’ and ‘Be an Ally Forum’. As an ambassador of ‘Worldplaces’, an initiative supported in Greece by the Generation Red 2.0 organization, she has strived to promote the rights of all women in today’s workplace. Katherine has collaborated with the Greek National Opera as Production Consultant and has scripted short films and videos for independent filmmakers. She has hosted events such as the annual ‘I’m Positive’ at the Onassis Cultural Centre of Athens promoting HIV visibility, the ELT Excellence Awards in Education, and the award ceremony at the Animasyros Film Festival in Syros. In her free time, she collaborates with a modelling agency as a part-time model for concept photography and is a member of the HUMAN CAST organization which promotes the artistic endeavors of marginalized individuals. In 2023, Katherine starred in Pantene’s advertising campaign for promotion of diverse and inclusive workspaces.
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Uncovering Hidden Meaning in our Teaching Materials

I had the privilege of speaking on TESOL Pop about Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and how it can help educators identify hidden meanings, assumptions, and power dynamics within their teaching materials so we can make changes that foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Key talking points

Understanding Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
CDA is an approach that examines how language and imagery in teaching materials can shape social realities, reinforce stereotypes, and influence ideologies. Katherine emphasises the importance of ensuring materials reflect diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences.

Gender and Stereotypes in Textbooks
Katherine shares examples of how textbooks can reinforce outdated gender roles, such as referring to professionals as “policemen” or “firemen” instead of using gender-neutral terms. She discusses how such representations can limit students’ perceptions of their future potential.

Adapting Materials for Inclusivity
Katherine stresses that no single textbook can fully meet the needs of all learners. Teachers should adapt materials to reflect different cultures, abilities, and perspectives. She encourages educators to use inclusive visuals, update resources, and incorporate diverse voices.

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Teacher Change Web Carnival

For WEBINAR HANDOUT click on ‘CONTINUE READING’

On Saturday 20 October at 13:00 Web Carnival Speaker Katherine Reilly will facilitate “Transversal Competencies in the ELT Environment” in Room A and Maryam Mirshahnasab will share “Beyond the Traditional Classroom: How VR Transforms IELTS Speaking Teaching Practices“ in Room B.

Room A: Transversal Competency (TC) is essential in modern education but challenging to integrate, especially in language learning. It equips students with skills to meet academic and social demands. This study analyzes approaches to facilitate TC tools in education, focusing on their application in enhancing cognitive and communication competencies through the ELT learning model, utilizing appropriate tools and strategies to optimize the learning environment.

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13th Malta ELTC: Harnessing AI for Inclusive ELT

Huge honor to be speaking on behalf of IATEFL LTSiG at the 13th ELTC Conference in Malta. The training theme is: “Harnessing AI for Inclusive ELT” Saturday, 13.05-13.35. ROOM: FOUGASSE1.
https://eltcouncil.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/13th-ELT-Conference-Program_Online_V11.pdf

Click on ‘Continue Reading’ for downloadable Materials and AI links

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