Dr. Marija Mijušković
Dr. Marija Mijušković is an assistant professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Montenegro in Nikšić. She obtained both her master’s and doctoral degrees, with theses focused on the methodology of teaching foreign languages. She completed her studies at the Faculty of Philology at the University of Belgrade and the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Montenegro, respectively.
Dr. Mijušković has participated in many national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops on foreign language teaching methodology and applied linguistics. She has also been a guest lecturer at several prestigious universities across Europe.
Her primary research interests lie in English language teaching methodology, particularly emphasising differentiated instruction across all English language learning levels, including general foreign language acquisition and language skills. Her research focuses on the methodology of teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP). She has conducted extensive studies on developing reading skills, while her most recent work centres on writing skills and their role within the Montenegrin education system, with a specific emphasis on differentiated instruction. Dr. Mijušković frequently contributes to esteemed academic journals, where she publishes her research findings.
Modern education goes beyond a purely academic emphasis and increasingly recognizes the importance of nurturing students’ social and emotional skills. During a two-week training programme in the United States, we examined Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) principles and practices in teaching English as a foreign language. Following this intensive training, the third week was dedicated to the TESOL Convention, which further enriched our understanding of the subject through interactive sessions, research presentations, and discussions with international experts. The final conference offered a valuable opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills, share experiences with educators from diverse educational systems, and enhance our capacity to apply these insights within the Montenegrin context.
This plenary talk will highlight the key takeaways from the training and the TESOL convention, focusing on their application in Montenegro. This includes their implementation in master’s and doctoral programmes for future educators and through seminars and workshops designed for teacher professional development. We will explore specific techniques and resources that can assist English language teachers in integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) approaches into their practice, transforming language learning into an experience that fosters students’ personal and professional growth.
The conference theme, “Education as the Passport to the Future,” encourages us to explore how teaching that emphasizes cognitive and emotional development can empower students to navigate the challenges of a globalized world effectively. We aim to assist them in becoming confident, empathetic, and competent communicators in English.