Plenary Speaker Announcement: Aleksandra Popovski

Dear HUPE Colleagues and Friends,

We are thrilled to announce our esteemed plenary speaker for the upcoming gathering, Aleksandra Popovski.

Aleksandra is a seasoned teacher, teacher educator, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in the field. She holds an MA in Professional Development for Language Education from the University of Chichester, UK, and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje. Her extensive career includes serving as Past President of IATEFL and sitting on the Board of Trustees of SOL – Sharing One Language. Her academic and professional interests focus on teacher professional development, multimodality, visual arts in language teaching, reading comprehension strategies, and championing "no single stories" that highlight cultures and communities often excluded from standard ELT materials.

Plenary Title: Pages of Safety: Stories That Shelter Us

Abstract & Summary: Language learning is an emotionally exposed act where students constantly navigate the risks of embarrassment, identity disruption, and the anxiety of judgment. Aleksandra’s plenary argues that multimodal texts—specifically graphic narratives like Persepolis, Maus, and The Arrival—offer a powerful response to this vulnerability by creating a "shelter" for learners to engage with difficult emotions and build resilience.

The talk centers on three interconnected claims:

• Reducing Cognitive Load: The interplay of image, text, and white space in graphic novels lowers the affective filter in ways traditional prose cannot.
  
• Fostering Belonging: Graphic memoirs model linguistic and cultural displacement with emotional honesty, giving learners a mirror for their own experiences of difference.
  
• Promoting Agency: Inviting students to create their own graphic narratives transforms the classroom into a space of voice and genuine wellbeing.
  

We look forward to welcoming you to an inspiring session that bridges literature, emotional wellbeing, and practical classroom empowerment!

Warm regards,

The HUPE Team