20–22 Nov 2026
The WINC Aichi
Asia/Tokyo timezone

Bill Balsamo Asian Scholar Invited Speaker Presentation

22 Nov 2026, 12:35
30m
The WINC Aichi

The WINC Aichi

Highlighted Speaker Room 1002

Speaker

Willy Ardian Renandya (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University)

Description

What Makes a Great Language Teacher?

Great teaching is an ongoing journey of continuous learning that takes place in the classroom, and perhaps more importantly, extends far beyond its walls. In this presentation, I explore how language teachers can actively grow and adapt by focusing on six essential areas of professional development: developing professional competence, becoming AI-fluent in a rapidly changing digital world, engaging in reflective practice, embracing student-centredness, committing to life-long learning, and staying gritty when facing daily challenges. Drawing on current research and my own decades of hands-on teaching experience across diverse Asian contexts, I share practical, real-world insights. Through this discussion, I hope to support fellow language teachers in navigating these areas, helping them keep learning, adapting, and improving their craft every single day.

Title What makes a great language teacher?
Teaching Context General

Authors

Marissa Oda (Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS)) Mary Burkitt (Mary's English Talk & Morioka Shirayuri Gakuen) Willy Ardian Renandya (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University)

Presentation materials