On 11 July, we celebrated our 23rd birthday! We are taking the opportunity to look back at a year filled with learning, collaboration, international exchange, and many moments that remind us why professional communities matter.
Over the past year, we organised our 24th ELTA Serbia International Conference, bringing together a few hundred participants, inspiring plenary speakers, and dozens of workshops. These events once again created space for teachers, trainers, researchers, publishers, and partners to exchange ideas, share classroom practice, and strengthen professional connections. We also secured accreditation for two new professional development seminars, continuing our work in supporting high-quality teacher education.
The year was marked by important projects and partnerships. We continued our work through the EVE (Equal Voices in ELT) Mentorship Programme, which supports professional growth and visibility. We also supported Access activities in Čačak, Zaječar, Kruševac, and Belgrade, involving 100 students, and received RELO support for 30 teachers to attend the conference, including teachers from Serbia and the wider region.
Our cooperation with the British Council delivered training in 15 cities, reaching 127 teachers with support from 15 teacher trainers. In addition, CLIL training with Phil Ball brought together teachers from several countries through sessions held in Kragujevac and Belgrade, offering valuable opportunities for professional learning and exchange.
ELTA’s international work continued strongly through the Freedom 250 project, which includes 30 teachers from 7 countries and regions. We were also active in Erasmus+ projects, including the approved Digital Empathy project and the successfully completed Emotionally Healthy Classroom K1 project. These initiatives reflect our commitment to innovation, wellbeing, intercultural learning, and meaningful professional development.
This year also strengthened our international presence. 17 ELTA representatives took part in 16 international events, sharing ideas, representing the association, and bringing back valuable insights for the wider ELT community. Our continued cooperation with partners such as SOL has further supported professional exchange and regional collaboration.
It has been a year of growth, bridges, learning, and shared energy. In other words, it has been exactly the kind of year that shows why ELTA matters.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every member, partner, colleague, and friend who has been part of our journey. Your support, participation, and contributions have helped make ELTA the thriving community it is today.
Here’s to many more years of connecting teachers, ideas, and classrooms!
