This summer, the 34th annual conference of the Latvian Association of Teachers of English (LATE) reminded me of the value of traditional best practices in teaching, introduced me to innovative ideas, and left me inspired by the dedication and creativity of English language educators.
I attended the LATE conference in Ulbroka, Latvia, on August 20–21, where more than 280 teachers gathered to learn, share, and grow professionally. In addition to presentations by English-language textbook publishers, the programme featured contributions from the Baltic Council for International Education, the English Ideas Project, IATEFL representatives, and the Latvian National Education Agency. We were also introduced to exciting new research projects presented by young researchers from the University of Latvia.
The afternoon workshops covered a wide range of timely and practical topics, from artificial intelligence and examination skills to stress management and the use of escape rooms in language teaching. We applauded LATE’s nation wide initiative “Reading Circles.”
I was pleased to represent LAKMA with a presentation titled “Planning Differentiation: Promoting Academic Writing Skills.” The conference provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, discover new approaches, and connect with colleagues from across the region.
I highly recommend marking your calendars for August 2027, when LATE will host its 35th annual conference. I am confident that participants will gain valuable knowledge, practical insights, and fresh inspiration from our northern neighbors.
Robin Gingerich, LAKMA Board member
