The Problem with IATEFL...

... is that it does a conference too well.

Overwhelmed by choice and input at conference

From the week after one conference finishes, the IATEFL team are preparing for the next year's international gathering of amazing, dedicated, open-minded and curious teachers. All the hard work, thoughtfulness and organisation pays off and we get to participate in the annual flurry of talks, workshops, conversations, networking and social activities. What's not to like about hard working teachers taking time out for some CPD, professional stimulation and re-energising, not to mention the sheer joy of reconnecting with friends and colleagues - long-known and newly met.

And there's the rub. I have come away with mixed feelings from a wonderful 5 days in Edinburgh (the venue for the 58th IATEFL Annual Conference). I caught up with a number of lovely people, attended a variety of thought-stimulating sessions and will be taking ideas and useful input back to my language department in Linz. But what about all those people I DIDN'T get to see and talk to? What about the invaluable talks I missed? I discovered on the tram back to the airport from a colleague, who I only spoke to at that point, that I had missed the chance to speak to my PhD examiner in person - she had attended my viva via Zoom. I hadn't realised she was at the conference!

Then there was the situation on day 1 where I had to choose between 5 different simultaneous talks ! I know this is the eternal conundrum and we each have to make a decision in the hope that we pick the "right" session. I understand that IATEFL is inundated with hundreds (960+ for 2025 I believe) and that teachers willing to put themselves forward should be given the opportunity to step out of comfort zones and give a presentation. (An equally terrifying and rewarding experience for many - certainly in my case!).

Conference app dashboard

Clearly, one way to manage the overwhelming-ness of the conference is in the planning. Scrutinising the very comprehensive programme in advance is key. The conference app is ideal for keeping track of what you earmark (the "My Agenda" function was great for that!). Or the good old way of highlighting the pull out pages - lugging the whole printed programme around gets very wearing after while, doesn't it! It is definitely a worthwhile thing to do; it costs some time upfront but reduces the cognitive load of constantly thinking of what was I going to see next - and where was it?!

The preplanned search I did not do in this case was checking the list of speakers - then I would have seen the name of the person I had missed and had the joy of finally meeting someone I have long admired in person. (I was also keen to talk more about what she remembered from my thesis...).

Having been fortunate to have attended a number of IATEFL conferences over the years, I know to pace myself - it is not necessary to attend every single session. Taking a break is hugely beneficial - I took myself for a nostalgic morning walk around town on Wednesday (I spent a delightful 3 months teaching in Edinburgh in 2019). Down time is so important for mental well-being and energy-levels, particularly so for us (social-) introverts.

Considering the potential for being overwhelmed, drained of energy and sleep-deprived during such an extensive conference, I can't help but ponder on what a "slow conference" might look like. How to balance the desire to capitalise on the learning and development offered by talks, workshops and all the other formats IATEFL includes with the human need for meaningful connection via unrushed conversations? I guess, ultimately, it is down to me to manage my time and priorities within the wider smorgasbord of delights. I DID have some of those special, personal conversations with a number of people - I also had those tantalising but fleeting exchanges with others as we passed in corridors, hurrying off to the next session on the other side of the venue or dashing to a meeting, or searching for the quiet room to prepare their own talk.

Now that I'm home again, my intention is to review notes taken during sessions, revisit those significant conversations and set out goals for how to implement what I have learned during this year's IATEFL conference in the wonderful city of Edinburgh. Despite the problematic aspects, there is so much of benefit to be shared and disseminated beyond the 4-5 days we lucky delegates get to spend with each other.