13 – 15 June 2025, Málaga
The 4th International Language Coaching Conference
Organized By ILCA
The 2025 International Language Coaching Conference
Rooted in Success
Advancing Language Coaching
Together
Welcome to the 4th annual International Language Coaching Conference! Our annual conference is an immersive, global gathering of educators, coaches, and changemakers passionate about the future of language and communication.
This year, we’re diving deep into the themes of personal growth, communication, and sustainable success. Whether you’re a language teacher, coach, mentor, or professional working in education, wellbeing, or leadership, this is your space to connect, learn, and grow.
Our speakers represent diverse fields, from language education and coaching to psychology, mindfulness, and sustainability, bringing a rich mix of perspectives and real-world insight. Conference tracks and detailed program provided below.
Early Bird Tickets Now Available!
Secure your spot at the ILCA 2025 Conference and take advantage of our exclusive early bird discount. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative experience that will empower you to reach new heights in your language coaching journey.
📅 Dates: June 13–15, 2025
- Friday & Saturday: 9:00am–5:00pm + evening social gatherings
- Sunday: Informal outdoor gathering, 10:00am–1:00pm (subject to change)
Optional workshops and evening social events to be announced.
Join us in shaping the future of language coaching—rooted in success, driven by purpose, and growing together.
2025 Conference Themes
We will be sharing research and experience from professionals with a wide range of backgrounds. The 3 approaches to language coaching (LC) we focus on this year are:
Personal Growth and Wellbeing
This theme explores the inner work required to show up fully in our professional lives. It asks: how do we stay grounded amidst the rapid shifts in education and coaching? Through sessions focused on mindset, resilience, and self-awareness, we’ll dig into what it means to be a sustainable, present, and emotionally intelligent coach. Whether you're navigating burnout, seeking balance, or building new habits, this track centers the human behind the coach—because long-term success starts with strong roots.
Language and Communication
Coaching is a conversation. This theme highlights how we use language not just to teach, but to connect, motivate, and transform. We’ll look at communication strategies that deepen the coaching relationship, support language learning, and enhance intercultural awareness. Expect practical tools for expanding your linguistic range, refining your questioning techniques, and responding with intention. This track is for anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills and expand their impact as a coach.
Success and Sustainability
What does success look like when it's built to last? This theme focuses on the systems, strategies, and community support structures that help coaches thrive over time. We’ll explore ways to grow your practice without burning out, build strong networks, and integrate innovation meaningfully. Whether you’re new to the field or refining a mature practice, this track offers insight into aligning your values with your business model—and cultivating a future where both you and your clients can grow.
Conference Program
Morning sessions (8:30-2:00 PM)
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM – Registration & Welcome Coffee
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM – Opening Remarks
- 9:15 – 9:45 AM – Opening Plenary – Gabriella Kovács and Carrie McKinnon
- 9:45 – 10:00 AM – Short Break
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM – Plenary 1: Gordon Lewis: Language Coaching: A Look Back and a Look Forward
- 11:00 – 11:15 AM- Short Break
11:15 – 12:20 PM – ED Talks
- 11:15–11:20 – Feny Freytes (Visual Thinking O’clock)
- 11:25–11:30 – María Ortega García (Trauma-Informed Mindfulness: Integrating Mind, Heart, and Body)
- 11:35–11:40 – Zoltán Gyurácz (From Linguist to Leader: Building Your Business in Language Coaching)
- 11:45–11:50 – Kathy Ellis (Beyond Words: Intercultural Competence for Language Coaches)
- 11:55–12:00 – Elina Karapetyan (Empowering Well-Being of Displaced Teachers and Learners)
- 12:00–12:05 – Marc Anderson (Goal-Setting Success: Mastering Language Learning with the APPLE Framework)
- 12:05–12:10 – Roxana Blăgescu (Mental Health and Burnout While Navigating from Employee to Freelancer/Entrepreneur)
- 12:10–12:15 – Katarzyna Bieniecka-Drzymała, PhD (Language Coaching: An Intervention Supporting Learners’ Metacognitive Awareness)
- 12:15-12:20 – Ruth Hughes (Language Coaching as a Growth Journey: Building Resilience in Yourself and Your Learners)
12:20 – 2:00 PM – Lunch
Afternoon Sessions (2:00–5:30 PM)
Block A (2:00–2:45 PM)
- Feny Freytes – Visual Thinking O’clock (Language & Communication)
- Kathy Ellis – Beyond Words: Intercultural Competence for Language Coaches (Language & Communication)
- Elina Karapetyan – Empowering Well-Being of Displaced Teachers and Learners (Personal Growth & Well-being)
(15-minute break)
Block B (3:00–3:45 PM)
- Marc Anderson – Goal-Setting Success: Mastering Language Learning with the APPLE Framework (Language & Communication)
- Zoltán Gyurácz – From Linguist to Leader: Building Your Business in Language Coaching (Success & Sustainability)
- María Ortega García – Trauma-Informed Mindfulness: Integrating Mind, Heart, and Body (Personal Growth & Well-being)
(15-minute break)
Block C (4:00–4:45 PM)
- Katarzyna Bieniecka-Drzymała, PhD – Language Coaching: An Intervention Supporting Learners’ Metacognitive Awareness (Language & Communication)
- Roxana Blăgescu – Mental Health and Burnout While Navigating from Employee to Freelancer/Entrepreneur (Success & Sustainability)
- Ruth Hughes – Language Coaching as a Growth Journey: Building Resilience in Yourself and Your Learners (Personal Growth & Well-being)
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Networking Event
5:30 – 5:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Morning sessions (9:00-2:00 PM)
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM – Opening Remarks
- 9:15 – 10:00 AM – Morning Coffee & Networking
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM – Plenary 2: Daniel Xerri: Navigating Change: Cultivating Adaptability Via Language Coaching
- 11:00 – 11:15 AM – Short Break– Poster Presentations
- 11:15 – 12:00 PM ED Talks
- 11:15–11:20 – Rolade Berthier, PhD (Language and Communication: Differentiated and Inclusive) (Language & Communication)
- 11:20–11:25 – Inna Cherevko (Coaching for Resilience: Supporting Language Learners in Challenging Times) (Personal Growth & Well-being)
- 11:25–11:30 – Boelo van der Pool (Reaching the “Other” 20%) (Success & Sustainability)
- 11:30–11:35 – Pablo Molina Byers (Finding Your Own Authentic Way to Communicate) (Language & Communication)
- 11:35–11:40 – Monika Szijjártó (Roots of Fear, Wings of Growth: A Nature-Inspired Coaching Journey) (Personal Growth & Well-being)
- 11:40–11:45 – Zuzana Štrbáková (The Fertile Void: What Gestalt Psychology Teaches Us About Awareness) (Language & Communication)
- 11:45–11:50 – Kateryna Shchebelska (From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Managing Stress and Burnout in Language Coaching) (Personal Growth & Well-being)
- 11:50–11:55 – Dr. Mika Tamura (Integrating Language Coaching for Effective Cross-Cultural Business Communication) (Language & Communication)
- 11:55–12:00 – Andrea Daase, Micha Fleiner, Daria Manweiler, Christine Rodewald (Language Coaching as a Holistic Approach to Sustainability in Second Language Learning) (Language & Communication)
- 12:00 – 12:15 PM – Short Break
- 12:15 – 2:00 PM – Lunch
Afternoon Sessions (2:00–5:30 PM)
Block A (2:00–2:45 PM)
- Language & Communication: Rolade Berthier, PhD – Language and Communication: Differentiated and Inclusive
- Language & Communication: Pablo Molina Byers – Finding Your Own Authentic Way to Communicate
- Personal Growth & Well-being: Inna Cherevko – Coaching for Resilience: Supporting Language Learners in Challenging Times
15-minute break
Block B (3:00–3:45 PM)
- Language & Communication: Dr. Mika Takura – Integrating Language Coaching for Effective Cross-Cultural Business Communication in Science and Engineering
- Success & Sustainability: Boelo van der Pool – Reaching the “Other” 20%
- Personal Growth & Well-being: Monika Szijjártó – Roots of Fear, Wings of Growth: A Nature-Inspired Coaching Journey
15-minute break
Block C (4:00–4:45 PM)
- Language & Communication: Zuzana Štrbáková – The Fertile Void: What Gestalt Psychology Teaches Us About Awareness
- Language & Communication: Andrea Daase, Micha Fleiner, Daria Manweiler, Christine Rodewald – Language Coaching as a Holistic Approach to Sustainability in Second Language Learning
- Personal Growth & Well-being: Kateryna Shchebelska – From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Managing Stress and Burnout in Language Coaching
5:00 – 5:15 PM – Closing Remarks, Day 3 details
Poster Presentations
Poster presentations will commence immediately after the plenaries on Day 2, with presenters available throughout the coffee break to discuss their poster themes and answer any questions. Let’s honor their expertise and commitment by dropping by!
Poster Presenters:
- Marianna Sadivnyk – Language Coaching for Confidence and Clarity: Empowering Authentic Voices (Language & Communication)
- Olesia Khelil – Creating Coaching Lessons OR How to Boost Your Learners’ Autonomy (Language & Communication)
- Csekőné Szabó Anikó – Advanced Decoding of Games: Microanalysis of Ego States in a Gamified Framework (Personal Growth & Well-being)
- Eszter Guba – Personalized Teaching in Group Language Acquisition Formats: A Practical Method Based on DISC Personality Types (Personal Growth & Well-being)
Outdoor sessions (10:00 - 12:30 AM)
Gabriella Kovács and Carrie McKinnon tap into the Coaching with Nature foundations to share a walk & talk experience with all interested. Location and itinerary to be announced.
Why attend?
Cutting-Edge Insights
Gain the latest knowledge and perspectives on the evolving landscape of language coaching.
Skill Development
Enhance your coaching practice with practical skills and knowledge you can implement immediately.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with a global community of passionate language coaching professionals, fostering collaboration and growth.
Themes
The 2025 International Language Coaching Conference
The 2025 ILCA Conference brings together three dynamic themes under the overarching focus of sustainability and success. Through these lenses, we’ll examine how language coaching contributes not only to individual transformation but also to broader social impact—whether in classrooms, companies, or communities. This year’s tracks offer a balanced, engaging mix of topics led by a global group of speakers, each bringing their unique voice to the field.
1. Personal Growth and Wellbeing
- This track centers the coach as a human being—recognizing that who we are shapes how we work. Topics in this theme include:
- Wellbeing and Mindfulness Practices
- Cultivating a Positive and Growth Mindset
- Coping with Burnout and Stress
- Wellbeing: Is it Heart, Mind, or Both?
2. Language and Communication
- Language is more than words—it’s how we connect, lead, and learn. This track explores how language and communication coaching enhance both personal and professional expression. Topics include:
- Language Coaching: Beyond Teaching
- Coaching Language Learners
- Communication Coaching: Beyond Public Speaking
- Corporate Communication Challenges
- Navigating Workplace Challenges
- Confidence and Clarity in Speaking
- Leadership and Influence
3. Success and Sustainability
- Sustainable coaching means building something that lasts—within yourself, your business, and the wider world. This track explores the future of coaching through innovation, alignment, and impact. Topics include:
- Business Success through Language Coaching
- Balancing Short-term and Long-term Success
- Coaching for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Success through Innovation and Community
The 2025 International Language Coaching Conference
Our conference offers 3 distinct talk formats designed to maximize learning and interaction:
Plenary talks:
- ILCA Co-founders, Gabriella Kovács and Carrie McKinnon will be framing the days and the event as a whole, furthermore, our two guest plenary speakers will be giving a talk each on Friday and Saturday.
ILCA CoachTalks: The Language Leaders Forum (5-10 minutes):
- A fast-paced, captivating preview of each workshop. Presenters distill their workshop's core idea into a compelling, shareable concept designed to pique interest and provide immediate value. Slides are optional, with a maximum of 3 (image or single line of text per slide). Think: impactful, thought-provoking, and a great opportunity to sample the day's learning.
Interactive Workshops:
- In-depth sessions focusing on practical application and real-world solutions. Speakers will deliver tangible strategies, tools, case studies, and emerging insights, encouraging active audience participation through group discussions, exercises, and thoughtful dialogue. Prepare to engage, collaborate, and leave with actionable takeaways.
Should you have any questions or queries, please get in touch at info@ilcaglobal.com.
By attending, you hereby acknowledge and agree to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring the protection and responsible handling of personal data. We will utilize the information you provide solely for purposes directly related to the conference, such as communication, registration, attendee management.
Furthermore, you acknowledge that photographs and video recordings captured during the conference may be used for promotional purposes on our website, social media platforms, and related marketing materials. These images will be used in a manner consistent with ethical and professional standards, ensuring they are not used in a defamatory or misleading way.
Want to attend the 2024 international language coaching conference?
Register Now
The 1st International Language Coaching Conference
London
July 22nd, 2022
The First International Language Coaching Conference in London, held on July 2, 2022, exceeded expectations in bringing together language educators and coaches from diverse countries. The conference aimed to deepen knowledge about language coaching and related areas within language education.
ILCA board members met in person after collaborating online for over two years, fostering a stronger sense of camaraderie. Attendees, including teachers, trainers, and language coaches from various countries, shared a common goal of understanding language coaching and its long-term impact.
The event marked the launch of “A Comprehensive Language Coaching Handbook (2022),” authored by Gabriella Kovács PCC, MA, signaling a new era in language coaching.
Speakers delivered high-quality talks and workshops, leaving attendees with thought-provoking questions, such as the role of teaching people rather than subjects and the perception of time in learning.
The networking event fostered connections and a sense of commonality among participants. A professional panel discussed financial aspects of language coaching, covering topics like niche specialization, working for free, and the importance of certifications.
The parallel workshops in the afternoon provided opportunities for growth and inspiration, although attendees faced the challenge of choosing among concurrent sessions. Overall, the conference left participants with valuable insights, connections, and a sense of unity within the language coaching community.
The 2nd International Language Coaching Conference
Paris
June 17th & 18th, 2023
The 2023 conference in Paris focused on the theme of language coaching and transformation. It explored various aspects of transformation, including relational, visual, spatial, and aural perspectives, as well as specific coaching skills like listening and questioning.
Day 1 of the conference addressed topics such as transformation in language coaching, setting smart objectives, coaching outdoors, and understanding the impact of relational learning.
The first plenary discussed the state of the language coaching industry, its origins, trends, and the transition theme. Other sessions covered active listening, using rhythm in language coaching, and the benefits of coaching outdoors.
A panel discussion explored language coaching in the French market, while workshops emphasized collaboration, mindfulness in coaching, and the interconnectedness of knowledge and self-development.
Day 2 featured sessions on positive psychology coaching, tools for language coaching success, communication transformation in the classroom, coaching in group courses, the power of listening, visual techniques for communication, website attractiveness for clients, and personal growth through language coaching.
The conference concluded with a group reflective activity, promoting shared insights, discussions, and reflections among participants. Overall, the conference provided valuable insights and networking opportunities for language coaches to enhance their coaching skills and effectiveness.
The 3rd International Language Coaching Conference
Budapest
June 7th & 9th, 2024
The 2024 conference in Budapest marked a significant milestone, with attendance more than doubling compared to the previous year. Hosted at ELTE University, the event fostered a warm and collaborative atmosphere, facilitating meaningful connections among speakers and participants.
A notable addition this year was the introduction of TED-style talks, allowing speakers to present their key ideas succinctly to the entire audience. This format enabled attendees to identify workshops aligning with their interests while still benefiting from broader insights.
The conference commenced with an opening plenary by Carrie and Gabriella, sharing insights from their experience training over 20 cohorts of language coaches. Subsequent plenaries included Ruth Hughes discussing growth mindset and Sarah Mercer addressing language teacher agency for wellbeing. Workshops covered a diverse range of topics, offering practical knowledge and engaging participants in extended Q&A sessions.
Networking opportunities abounded during coffee and lunch breaks, with attendees exchanging contacts and continuing discussions from sessions. The third day introduced an outdoor session on Margaret Island, encouraging reflection on professional development amidst nature.
The conference concluded with reflections and plans for future events, including the announcement of the 4th International Language Coaching Conference in Spain in 2025.
The Venue
Innovation Campus - Malaga Palace
June 13th - 15th, 2025
2025
Conference
We Want You To Be A Part Of The 2025 Conference
Address
Innovation Campus - Malaga Palace
Málaga, Spain
info@ilcaglobal.com