Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Foreign Languages and English Preparatory School (FLEPS) organized the 11th FLEPS Workshop Festival on 12 June 2026 at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center. Held this year under the theme “Teaching with Purpose: Reflection, Renewal and Growth,” the festival brought together educators, academics, and professionals working in the field of foreign language education.

Delivering a speech during the event’s opening, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Sallı, Organizing Committee Coordinator of the 11th FLEPS Workshop Festival, stated that this year’s theme was chosen in response to the need to address the rapid changes taking place in the field of education in a conscious and meaningful way. She emphasized that change alone does not necessarily mean progress, and that every method and technology employed in education should ultimately serve the genuine needs of learners. Assist. Prof. Dr. Sallı noted that the festival provided educators with an opportunity to re-evaluate their teaching practices, reconsider their instructional goals, and reconnect with their professional values. She further highlighted that reflection and renewal form the foundation of both individual and institutional development.

Director of Foreign Languages and English Preparatory School, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Kale, expressed his gratitude to Pearson and EAQUALS for their contributions to the event, as well as to all participants and members of the organizing committee. He emphasized the importance of collective effort in the success of the festival and wished attendees a productive, inspiring, and professionally enriching experience.

Following the opening session, keynote speaker Grant Kempton engaged participants with an inspiring presentation titled “Living the Dream or Larping?”. The festival continued with a series of simultaneous presentations and workshops held across multiple venues, where participants explored current issues in foreign language education, including empathy-driven teaching approaches, technology-integrated instruction, sustainability, digital learning environments, and contemporary assessment and evaluation practices.

In the afternoon sessions, keynote speaker Russell Stannard delivered presentations titled “Where is AI Impacting Language Education?” and “How AI Can Make Lessons More Engaging and Interactive,” in which he explored the impact of artificial intelligence on language education and shared practical examples of its application. Throughout the festival, participants had the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with colleagues from different institutions and countries, while engaging in productive discussions on innovative teaching methodologies. Emphasizing academic exchange and professional development, the event received highly positive feedback from attendees.