About this Event
Teaching House invites you to join us in person (or online via Zoom) on Tuesday 18th November 2025 for our next "Teaching House Presents" event.
This is part of our ongoing series of professional development and networking events for English language educators, managers and researchers. Held online since 2020, this special session will take place live in London — giving teachers the chance to connect face-to-face, share ideas, and enjoy an evening of thought-provoking discussion (and cheese!). For those unable to attend in person, we’ll also be live streaming via Zoom so you can join us from anywhere in the world.
Professional development, TEFL chat and inspiration is yours for the bargain fee $0.00! (Like all the best things in life).
When?
Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 19:00 GMT (local London time) | 14:00 EST (New York) | 11:00 PST (Los Angeles)
Where?
In person at Teaching House London at OHC (24 Great Chapel St. London W1F 8FS)
or
Online via Zoom (Zoom link will be provided via email when you RSVP)
Schedule as follows
19:00 (UK) | 14:00 (EST) | 11:00 (PST) – Welcome
19:00 – 19:45 (UK) | 14:00–14:45 (EST) | 11:00–11:45 (PST)
Developing materials to support learners’ emergent language needs
(Richard Chinn)
19:45 – 20:00 (UK) | 14:45–15:00 (EST) | 11:45–12:00 (PST) – Break
20:00 – 21:00 (UK) | 15:00–16:00 (EST) | 12:00–13:00 (PST)
A new look at authenticity in materials design
(Danny Norrington-Davies)
Session Abstracts
Developing materials to support learners’ emergent language needs
Richard Chinn
Materials are an integral part of everyday teaching practice. But can they sometimes hinder our responsiveness to learners’ emergent language needs? Do they limit a teacher’s ability to improvise, or can they actually enhance it? In this practical workshop, we will explore how materials can serve as a springboard for addressing learners’ evolving language needs. We’ll look at ways teachers can design materials that foster meaningful classroom interaction and support spontaneous language development. Finally, we’ll consider how materials design can empower teachers to improvise more effectively and respond dynamically to learner language.
A new look at authenticity in materials design
Danny Norrington-Davies
Authenticity is a key principle to consider when planning our lessons. However, some conceptualisations of authenticity are oversimplified, and others can be problematic. In this workshop, we will explore how teachers on a materials development programme created their own conception of authenticity. We will then look at how this influenced the materials they created, and how it might inform yours.
About the Speakers
Richard Chinn is a teacher educator based in London. He has taught English and worked with teachers in many contexts worldwide, including Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. He is an experienced tutor on CELTA and Delta courses and is the co-author of the ELTons finalist book "" published by Pavilion. His main professional interests lie in classroom interaction, teacher education, and teacher development.
Danny Norrington-Davies is a teacher and teacher-trainer with 30 years’ experience both in the UK and overseas. His interests in ELT are emergent language, authenticity, materials design, and creativity. He enjoys speaking at conferences, and his first book, ‘ was published by Pavilion in 2016. He is also the co-author of ‘’ with Richard Chinn.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, the in-person version of this event is not suitable for wheelchair users. Please join us online
Refreshments
As tradition dictates, refreshments will be provided to those of you attending in-person.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Teaching House London, 24 Great Chapel Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
