Dr. Silva Bratož is Associate Professor of English at the Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska, Slovenia where she teaches several courses in the area of foreign language teaching. She earned her PhD in linguistics from the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. She has researched and published in the area of foreign language teaching methodology for young learners and applied linguistics. Her current research focuses on pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards multilingualism, children’s perceptions of different languages, analysing the roles of a teacher through metaphors, and exploring the potential of classroom interaction for language development.
Dr. Anja Pirih is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska, Slovenia, where she teaches several courses in the area of English language and literature and foreign language teaching. She earned her PhD in education studies from Ca’Foscari University, Italy. Her research and publications are mostly in the area of reading motivation, extensive reading, foreign language teaching methodology for young learners and multilingual practices. She has participated in several national and international projects, including an Erasmus+ project MHEEB – Multilingual Higher Education and two ESF projects JeŠT – Languages matter and INOVUP – Inovativno učenje in poučevanje za kakovostne kariere diplomantov in odlično visoko šolstvo. Her current research focuses on children’s perceptions of different languages and reflective practice in teacher education.
Dr. Mojca Žefran is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska, Slovenia, where she teaches several courses in the area of English language and teaching. She earned her PhD in education studies from the Faculty of Education, University of Primorska. Her research and publications are mostly in the area of foreign language teaching methodology for young learners and second language teaching and acquisition. Her current research interest covers individual differences in foreign language learning, especially motivation and attitudes towards foreign language learning, as well as attitudes towards multilingualism and plurilingualism. At the moment she is also involved in several national and international projects including two Erasmus+ projects (DivA – Diversity in action: a cross-border online space tor training teachers through multilingual and multicultural experiences, InAMath – An interdisciplinary approach to mathematical education) and a pilot project within the GDI UP – Green, Digital and Inclusive University of Primorska.
Dr. Anita Sila gained her PhD in the area of early learning from the University of Primorska under the supervision of prof. dr. Lucija Čok and assoc. prof. Silva Bratož in 2018. In 2013, she was the recipient of the Srečko Kosovel award and of the student award of the Faculty of Education, University of Primorska. Her research is oriented into early learning and teaching, as well as into exploring the role of English in education. She serves as teaching assistant for the courses English in Educational Studies; Teaching English to Very Young Learners and Practical training in the undergraduate study programmes Preschool Teaching and Pedagogy.