The 2nd International ECL Conference took place on 21-22 June 2026 in Sousse, Tunisia, hosted by the International Institute for Studies and Cooperation (IISC). Participants included exam centre leaders, examiners, teachers, and organisers from four continents, gathering for professional development and exchange.
The event opened with greetings from Amel Zairi (main organiser), Mohamed Seddiki (IISC Director), Dr Reza Hemmati (Director of the International Education Centre, University of Pécs Medical School), and Dr Réka Werner (Head of the International ECL Examination Centre), who emphasised the importance of international cooperation.
During the English and German professional sessions, speakers addressed current challenges in language learning and assessment. Key presentations included:
- Dr Róbert Märcz (PTE) on the impact of language exams on teaching;
- Dr Peter Sabath (PTE) showcasing 25 EdTech tools supporting language learning;
- Kármen Tóth (PTE) presenting on how AI can assist teaching;
- Dr Matthias Hennig (Tunisia) reflecting on the beginnings of ECL exams in Tunisia;
- Dr Alain Belmond Sonyem (Cameroon) sharing insights from Cameroon;
- Ágnes Szabó (Australia) discussing experiences with online Hungarian exams.
The day also featured an inspiring talk by Hamed Behairy (Egypt) on patience and perseverance, and Anastasiia Novikova & Dr Igor Kumichev (Germany) addressing challenges in speaking assessment. Afternoon workshops in English and German offered participants focused training led by the ECL team from Pécs.
In her closing speech, Dr Réka Werner highlighted recent developments, underlined the importance of exam security, and outlined future plans.
The conference successfully strengthened international cooperation, fostering new professional relationships and collaborative project ideas among ECL centres worldwide.
