Understanding Language Teacher Psychology: Why It Matters and the Implications for Practice

When: Monday, March 16, 2026 | 11:30-13:00
Where: Faculty Lounge – The American College of Greece & Hybrid via Zoom (Meeting ID: 990 0508 0819 / Passcode: 409451)

Speaker: 
Sarah Mercer, Professor of Foreign Language Teaching and Head of ELT Methodology, University of Graz

Organized by
MA TESOL Program, English department, Deree – The American College of Greece

About the event

In this upcoming TESOL Masterclass, the speaker will unpack the core concepts of language teacher psychology, advocating for its central importance in the classroom. The speaker will argue that supporting the psychological well-being of educators is a prerequisite not only for teacher retention but for the ultimate success of their learners.

The speaker will begin by evaluating the current landscape of the field, identifying what is known and—crucially—what remains unexplored regarding specific populations of language teachers and teacher educators. Participants will be invited to reflect critically on the historical disparity between the vast research dedicated to learner psychologies and the relatively sparse attention given to the educators themselves.

During this masterclass, the speaker will:

• Report on Empirical Research: Share findings from a range of studies examining diverse aspects of teacher psychology.
• Translate Theory into Practice: Lead a discussion on the practical implications of these findings for everyday teaching and institutional support.
• Set a Future Agenda: Conclude by proposing a strategic roadmap for research and practice that aims to place language educators at the center of the pedagogical stage.

About the speaker

Sarah Mercer is Professor of Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Graz, Austria, where she is Head of ELT methodology. Her research interests include all aspects of the psychology surrounding the foreign language learning experience. She is the author, co-author and co-editor of several books in this area. She has served as Principal Investigator on several funded research projects, has worked on the editorial board of various journals, is co-editor of Multilingual Matters’ Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching book series, is currently president of IAPLL, and is an ambassador for IATEFL.

Join us to explore the vital role of teacher psychology and discover how placing educators at center stage can transform the future of language teaching and learning.

For further clarifications, please contact [email protected]