Karolina Kasperska

Biogram

Karolina Kasperska is an English and German teacher with a strong background in organisational and project management. Her areas of expertise include teacher training, English language teaching, and education in emergencies. She has a particular interest in ELT research, especially in the integration of technology, the development of language skills, and the evolving needs of teachers.

Teachers as Agents of Change in Language-Responsive Education

This presentation explores the British Council’s position on inclusive language policies and the importance of language-responsiveness across education systems. Moving beyond ‘either/or’ debates that position English-medium education in opposition to mother-tongue-based multilingual education, the session will examine how a language-responsive approach provides a more coherent and context-sensitive framework for decision-making.

The presentation will highlight the complexity of language-in-education policy and implementation, emphasising that successful outcomes depend not on a single preferred model, but on how effectively systems recognise and respond to language-related challenges in their specific contexts. Particular attention will be given to the role of teachers as key agents of change in curriculum, pedagogy, materials and assessment reform.

Drawing on the latest British Council position paper, the session will consider what meaningful support teachers require in order to engage in language-responsive practice, and how ministries, teacher educators, and school leaders can create the conditions necessary for sustainable, context-appropriate change.