Dr. Ursula Stickler
Open University, United Kingdom

Dr. Stickler is a Lecturer in German at the Department of Languages at Open University, UK. As a researcher and trainer, she has specialised in autonomous learning and online language teaching skills, contributing to an international network of experts. Projects involving collaboration with an international network of experts (DOTS, moreDOTS, and ICT-REV) have led to peer-reviewed publications and multiple workshops across Europe and beyond.
Dr. Stickler’s research interests lie in the areas of independent and autonomous learning of languages, including language advising, email tandem learning, self-assessment, and more recently the use of technology and tutor training for teaching languages online and other aspects of distance education. Dr. Stickler has taken part in several projects, e.g. the "Interaction project", comparing the different interaction patterns observable in face-to-face and online tutorials, and numerous successful tandem partnerships. Her current publications are mostly in the areas of technology-enhanced language learning and online teaching skills, qualitative research methods, and eye tracking.

​Abstract for the Conference:
​What every online language teacher needs

​Technology integration has come far over the past decades, and it is now common for language teachers to teach online or to integrate digital tools and online tasks into their face-to-face (f2f) practice. The benefits are manifold: online language learning provides the learner with authentic input, real-life language and tasks, and genuine intercultural encounters. It can also support autonomous learning, give students’ projects a purpose and make the classroom more student-centred.
Going hand-in-hand with increasing practical application, research into online language teaching and learning has generated insights into the needs and skills of online language teachers. Using sophisticated methods, researchers have focused on interaction patterns in online communication, specific methods of online learning, such as project based learning and Tandem learning (telecollaboration), and digital literacy skills for both, teachers and learners.
From my own perspective as a teacher trainer and researcher I will attempt to outline the basic and advanced skills language teachers need to successfully integrate online learning into their practice, show examples of training opportunities and methods, and – supported by research findings – suggest necessary future developments to bring language teaching in line with the digital nature of present and future communication.

​Padlet.com/u_stickler1/cyprus01
Padlet.com/u_stickler1/cyprus02

Https://tinyurl.com/cyprus03
Https://tinyurl.com/cyprus04