On February 4th, we had the privilege of hosting Mark Andrews, an esteemed educator with four decades of experience teaching and training teachers across Central and Eastern Europe. For 15 years, he worked as a teacher trainer at Eötvös Loránd University, and he has also served as an advisor in various educational initiatives, most notably as a British Council ELT advisor. His career includes a decade with SOL, where he developed courses, trained teachers, and created teaching materials. Currently working as a freelancer, he leads English courses for teenagers in Austrian schools through the English in Action program.
During his week-long teaching stay in Nitra, Mark generously offered to lead a workshop on Authenticity in ELT at out department. The session explored the importance of bringing real-world relevance into English language teaching, emphasizing strategies for making lessons more engaging and meaningful. Key takeaways included the integration of current events, contemporary music, and relatable topics to bridge the gap between the classroom and students’ daily lives.
Mark also shared his personal journey as an educator, reflecting on his experiences teaching in numerous countries. Through his stories, he illustrated how teachers can draw from their own experiences to create a more authentic and impactful learning environment. The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion, where participants exchanged insights, reflected on their teaching practices, and gained valuable perspectives from one another.
Mark’s visit was an inspiring and enriching experience, leaving us with fresh ideas and renewed motivation to bring authenticity into our own teaching.
