On July 1st, 2025, the second edition of the Class Crafters Convention was held at Turkuaz Hall, Mimar Sinan Campus, Bursa Technical University (BTU), bringing together over 100 passionate English language educators and academics from across Bursa and nearby provinces. This professional development event was jointly organized by the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) and the Translation Community and opened with a warm welcome from Lecturer Elif Atalı, followed by opening remarks from BTU leadership, including Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Beyhan Bayhan, Director of SFL Dr. Meral Öztürk, and CPD Coordinator Onat Küçük.

The event began with a recap video titled “A Year in a Nutshell”, celebrating the 2024–2025 academic initiatives and achievements. CLICK HERE to see our video 

Attendees were introduced to two flagship projects from the year:

• HYFLEX Project, presented by Meral Öztürk and Pınar Ketancı
• Digital Language Lab (DLL) Erasmus+ Project, presented by Ali Kılıç

Following a networking coffee break, the day continued with a rich academic program divided into Research and Practice Sections, offering a balance of theory, empirical studies, and classroom practices.

The Research Section featured thought-provoking academic contributions:

Prof. Dr. Turan Paker (Pamukkale University) delivered a plenary session on “The Role of EFL Teachers and Students in Constructing 21st-Century Skills”, exploring how modern educators and learners can collaboratively foster skills like creativity, problem-solving, digital literacy, and intercultural competence in diverse classroom contexts.

Fatma Gürman-Kahraman (Uludağ University) presented findings from a case study titled “The Effectiveness of AI-Generated Corrective Feedback on English Language Learners’ Writing Performance”, focusing on ChatGPT’s impact in writing portfolios, revealing its value in grammar and vocabulary support while identifying critical gaps in deeper language development and critical thinking.

Miranda Karjagdiu Çolak (BTU) shared her research on “Exploring B2-Level Learners’ Perspectives on Mediation-Based Instruction”. Rooted in CEFR descriptors, the study highlighted how mediation fosters learner autonomy, metalinguistic awareness, and peer collaboration.

The Practice Section focused on actionable ideas for classroom integration and teacher well-being:

Elena Bolel (Oxford University Press) explored “Elements of Effective Feedback”, emphasizing the importance of timely, strategy-focused, and learner-centered feedback to foster autonomy and engagement.

M. Talha Işık (Mudanya University) introduced a wellbeing-centered talk titled “Elevating Teaching and Well-being: Practical Strategies Rooted in the JD-R Theory”. He shared how job crafting and resource-oriented planning can reduce teacher burnout and boost motivation.

Elifnur Dayıoğlu Eycan (BTU) led a session on “The Art Heist”, a gamified lesson where students collaboratively solved an art-themed mystery. This creative language learning activity fostered speaking, listening, vocabulary, and problem-solving through teamwork and optional AI-generated visuals.

Ayşe Vatansever (BTU) concluded the practice section with a presentation on “The Role of Simulations in Foreign Language Learning: A Model United Nations (MUN) Case”. Her talk emphasized how MUN simulations can enhance global awareness, public speaking, and diplomatic communication in English learners.

In addition to the academic content, the event also featured:

• Sponsor showcase and networking opportunities
• A closing raffle and heartfelt thank-yous led by Onat Küçük and Elif Atalı

The convention was supported by numerous local and national sponsors and publishers, whose generous contributions helped make the event accessible and engaging for all.

Lecturer Elif Atalı, the driving force behind the organization, summarized the essence of the event:

“In today’s increasingly globalized world, the importance of language continues to grow. High-quality language education can only be achieved through educators who are committed to lifelong learning, personal growth, and adapting to the demands of the age. With this understanding, Class Crafters Convention continues to inspire and empower the academic community it serves.”

Launched in 2024, Class Crafters Convention began as an internal professional development day and has quickly evolved into a regional platform for collaboration among English language professionals. With its motto “Sharing is Caring”, the event brings research and classroom practice together in one space, fostering dialogue, reflection, and innovation in language education.

As the event grows, it aims to reach even more educators from diverse institutions and backgrounds building a stronger, more connected community of language professionals.