Dr. Christina Nicole Giannikas
Biodata: Christina Nicole Giannikas holds a PhD in the field of Applied Linguistics. She is an education and research consultant and has worked with publishers, Ministries of Education and educational institutions worldwide. Christina also works in Higher Education where she lectures courses in Applied Linguistics and is an experienced teacher trainer of pre-service and in-service teacher education programs in Cyprus, Greece and the UK. She specializes in the areas of early language learning, age-appropriate digital pedagogies, digital literacies, assessment, and Teacher Education. Christina has edited and authored a number of books, journal papers, book chapters, and teacher education articles and has been invited to present her work across Europe, Asia, and the United States. For the last four years, Christina has been serving as Chair of the EuroCALL Teacher Education SIG and recently became the EuroCALL National Contact for Greece. She is an invited research collaborator of FLETATIS (Foreign Language Education through Applied Technologies) and EnA research Group at OsloMet.
- Personal Details
Place of birth: Long Island, NY
Nationality: Greek-American (Dual Citizenship)
Marital Status: Married, two children
Languages: English, Greek (native-bilingual), French, Spanish (intermediate)
- Brief Career History
CG Education and Research Consultancy
June 2014-present
Dr. Giannikas has created the brand CG Education and Research Consultancy (https://christinagian.wixsite.com/consultancy). She offers professional development courses (online and onsite), acts as a consultant for small/large funded research projects, offers her services to publishers and writes and edits material for all age groups (digital and print), and offers consultancy on curriculum development, design and reform. Dr. Giannikas works as a consultant for Ministries of Education and institutions in Cyprus and overseas. She is on the board of academics for the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus and offers consultancy regarding the Pancypriot English Language Examinations and Examinations of teachers’ appointment in secondary state schools. Additionally, she has reviewed content for HarperCollins aiming to deliver material that agrees with early years (ages 3-5) research conducted in the field. Dr. Giannikas, in collaboration with HarperCollins, was also involved in the compilation of the Scope and Structure of a tailor-made English language learning curriculum for kindergarten children of Dubai, and has written its introduction. Finally, Dr. Giannikas offers consultancy to the Ministry of Education of Dubai in collaboration with Collins and has reviewed the English Continuation curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 1 of Primary School.
Dr. Giannikas is also an Academic Partner of QLS (Quality in Language Services) in March 2019. She is responsible for the editing of teaching material, the compilation of lesson plans, the creation of activities on Moodle for Young Learner courses, the supervision of an editing team, and the online training of language teachers (over 100 English school owners who are QLS members). She is currently coordinating a team of 13 writers, and building the Moodle area.
Recently, Dr. Giannikas accepted the position of Freelance Consultant for Cambridge University Press where she is currently involved in a project on Digital Pedagogy and Digital Literacy.
Cyprus University of Technology: Language Centre
March 2013-present
Special Scientist/Instructor
Dr. Giannikas holds the position of Special Scientist/Instructor at the Language Centre of Cyprus University of Technology. She is an instructor for an online MA in CALL program and teaches Second Language Acquisition and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Dr. Giannikas is currently co-supervising 4 postgraduate dissertations in the areas of: 1) The use of technology and Special Education Needs, 2) Parental involvement with the use of ClassTag (primary education), 3) The use of social media in the young learners’ classroom, 4) Online Teacher Training for Turkish Language Teachers. Dr. Giannikas is also an instructor of English for Specific Academic Purposes and has taught academic English for Nursing, Shipping and Chemical Engineering. Finally, she has been awarded a grant from the University for the preparation of three research proposals for Horizon 2020, the Research Promotion Foundation [RPF] of Cyprus and Erasmus Plus. The grant has been renewed for four years in a row.
University of Cyprus: Department of Education
Pre-service Teacher Training Program
September 2017- present
Dr. Giannikas holds the position of teacher trainer of the Pre-Service Teacher Education program offered by the Department of Education of the University of Cyprus:
ΠΡΥ011 Αγγλικά (Module PRY011) concentrates on the needs of the English language teacher of the 21st century. The trainees experience hands-on sessions on Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), i.e. the use of blogs, social media, online resources, PPTs, Google Drive etc. The trainees are also presented with the concept of professional awareness, which help them develop independently even after the completion of the course; they are guided in embracing diversity in the language classroom and, finally, they are introduced to ways of including parents in their children’s language learning.
The module concentrates on the following 6 themes:
- 21st Century Trends in the Study of English Language
- Learning Technologies
- Computer Assisted Language Learning
- The Digital Native, the Student
- Learning Styles, Strategies, Personality and Other Influences
- My Professional Development
ΠΡΥ023 Διδακτική (Didactics Module) Ι provides a foundation in learning and teaching teenagers English as a Foreign Language by encouraging interactive and student-centred approaches. Communicative methodologies, with an emphasis on learner-centred practices, are presented throughout the course and are the basis for the guided student practicum, which include a carefully devised curriculum and trainer observation/consultation to help the teacher-in-training improve their teaching. ΠΡΥ023 Teaching Ι entails instruction in lesson planning, classroom management and organisation, the teaching of specific and essential skills such as: reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, grammar via situational presentation, Test Teach Test (TTT), and vocabulary, all the while developing skills to create the autonomous language learner.
ΠΡΥ048 Διδακτική (Didactics Module) ΙΙ plays a follow-up role and offered trainees essential hands-on tools that would help them effectively develop their teaching skills. ΠΡΥ048 Teaching ΙΙ, same as ΠΡΥ023 Teaching Ι, encourages student-centred approaches. Furthermore, teachers-in-training learn how to handle error correction, how to integrate and use games, drama, music and other creative outlets in secondary school language teaching. Finally, the trainees are prompted to apply various assessment approaches, learn how to evaluate and use course books, as well as other original material. The main aim of ΠΡΥ048 Teaching ΙΙ is to give practical ideas to practitioners and help develop skills to attend to their learner’s needs.
Cyprus University of Technology: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
May 2019-present
Researcher and Lab Partner
Dr. Giannikas holds the position of Researcher and Lab Partner at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, where she is currently working on research regarding personal narratives, special education needs, and blended learning in the tertiary context. Finally, her work at the department included the co-supervision of an undergraduate dissertation with the title ‘Linguistic and Phonetic Characteristics of Children in Cyprus: Emphasis on narrative speech’.
- Academic Achievements
Lancaster University
April 2015- May 2015
Cert. Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching (Online Professional Development Course)
Oxford University
September 2013-November 2013 (Full Time)
Certificate in Creative Writing
International House (OTTI)
July 2013-August 2013 (Full Time)
Certificate in Online Tutoring (COLT)
London Metropolitan University
February 2006-2013 (Part-Time)
PhD in Applied Linguistics
Doctoral Dissertation title: ‘Early Language Learning within a Greek Regional Context’.
International House London
August 2005-September 2005 (Full-Time)
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
London Metropolitan University
October 2004-September 2005 (Full-Time)
MA Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) with Merit (Dissertation with Distinction)
University of Hertfordshire
September 1999-June 2002 (Full-Time)
BA in English Language and Linguistics
Selective List of Publications:
- Giannikas, C.N. (March 2021). Teaching Practices and Equitable Learning in Children’s Language Education. IGI Global
- Papadima-Sophocleous, S.; Kakoulli-Constantinou, E. & Giannikas, C.N. (April 2021). Tertiary Education Language Learning: a collection of CALL & LSP research. Research-publishing.net (Open Access).
- Giannikas, C.N., Kakoulli-Constantinou, E. & Papadima, S. (Eds.) (2019). Professional Development in CALL: a selection of papers. Research-publishing.net (Open Access) https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2019.28.9782490057283
- Papadima-Sophocleous, S., Kakoulli-Constantinou, E. & Giannikas, C.N. (2019). ESP Teaching and Teacher Education: Current research and practices. Research-publishing.net (Open Access). DOI: 10.14705/rpnet.2019.33.9782490057450
- Giannikas, C.N.; McLaughlin, L., Fanning, G. & Deutsch Muller, N. (Eds.) (2015). Children Learning English: from research to practice. Reading, UK: Garnet Publishing Ltd.
Guest Editor:
- Baecher, L., Lindahl, K., Bell, A., & Giannikas, C.N. (2020). TEIS Newsletter: The Newsletter of the Teacher Educator Interest Section. TESOL International Association. Available at: http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolteis/issues/2020-08-17/email.html
Journal Publications:
- Giannikas, C.N. (2021/special issue). Interactive Whiteboards in EFL from the Teachers’ and Students’ Perspective. Research Papers in Language Teaching and Learning
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Digital Pedagogy for Young Learners. Part of the Cambridge Papers in ELT series. [pdf] Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Facebook in Tertiary Education: the impact of social media in e-learning. The Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice. 17(1), 1-13.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Language Education and Primary School Children: the story of using stories. The International Journal of Action Research, 2, pp. 157-169.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). New Technologies and Language Teacher Education: are we there yet? English Language Teacher Education and Development (ELTED) Journal, 22/1, 52-60.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Using Multiple Intelligence Activities and Film to Stimulate the Communicative EFL Learner. IAFOR Journal of Language Learning, 4(1), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.22492/ijll.4.1.04
- Tsagari, D. & Giannikas, C.N. (2018: ahead of print). Re-evaluating the use of the L1 in the Second Language Classroom: students vs. teachers. Applied Linguistics Review Journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2017-0104
Book Chapters (Peer-reviewed):
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Performance Assessment in Teacher Education Programs: Direct evaluation of teaching ability. In M.D Ramírez-Verdugo & B. Otcu-Grillman (Eds.) Interdisciplinary Approaches Toward Enhancing Teacher Education. IGI Global, pp. 258-273. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4697-0,
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). How Much do we Really Know about Alternative Assessment? Investigating YL Teachers’ Perception of Assessing through Games. In D. Tsagari (Ed.) Language Assessment Literacy: From Theory to Practice. Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Newcastle, UK.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Effectively Incorporating Blogs for the L2 Literacy Development of Teenage Language Learners, In G. Neokleous, A. Krulatz & R. Farrelly (Eds.). Handbook of Research on Cultivating Literacy in Diverse and Multilingual Classrooms. IGI Global.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Technology-Enhanced Curriculum Development in the ESP tertiary context. In Papadima-Sophocleous, S., Kakoulli-Constantinou, E. & Giannikas, C.N. ESP Teaching and Teacher Education: Current research and practices. Research-publishing.net (Open Access).
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Enhancing literacy and collaborative skills through blogging: the teenage language learner. In C. N. Giannikas, E. Kakoulli Constantinou & S. Papadima-Sophocleous (Eds),Professional development in CALL: a selection of papers (pp. 145-158). Research-publishing.net. https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2019.28.876
Selective List of Presentations:
2020:
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). How to Navigate the Kaleidoscope of Digital Pedagogy in Primary and Pre-primary ELT. Global Schools Festivals, Cambridge University Press. Plenary Presentation.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Performance Assessment in Pre-service Training: Direct evaluation of teaching ability. NYS TESOL 50th Annual Conference. Invited Oral Presentation.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Conceptualizing Practitioners’ Online Research in the COVID-19 Era. IATEFL Research SIG. Invited Webinar.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Rethinking Pedagogy for the Digital Age. QLS Teacher Training Kick-off. Invited Oral Presentation (Opening Session).
- Giannikas, C.N. (2020). Developing Asynchronous Materials for Language Learners: A Teacher Educator’s Perspective. The EuroCALL Teacher Education SIG Series of Webinars. Webinar.
2019:
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Applying PBL in the Young Learner’s Classroom: approaches that work! QLS Kick-off Teacher Training Event, Athens, Greece. Invited Workshop.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Moodl-ing our way to Innovation: where are we and where we are are headed, QLS Kick-off Teacher Training Event, Athens, Greece. Invited Oral Presentation.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). ‘New technologies in professional development programmes: A time for action’. EuroCALL Conference for the Teacher Education SIG Symposium, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Oral Presentation.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Moodl-ing our Way to Innovation. QLS OGM. Syros, Greece. Invited Presentation
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Pre-service Teacher Reflections: Embracing Growth and Professional Development. The Asian Conference on Language Learning. Tokyo, Japan.Virtual Presentation
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Technology-enhanced curriculum development: a focus on the ESP Tertiary Context. TESOL Convention, Atlanta, USA. Oral Presentation
- Giannikas, C.N. (2019). Welcome to the Blogosphere: Improving teenage learner’s literacy and collaborative skills. EFL talks for TESOL Kuwait. Invited Virtual Presentation (see the presentation here).
2018:
- Giannikas, C.N. (2018). Early Language Learning Research. Presentation to Her Excellency, Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education on behalf of HarperCollins Publishers, Ministry of Education, Dubai, UAE.
- Γιαννίκα, Χ.Ν. (2018). Διαφοροποίηση της διδασκαλίας: νέοι καιροί νέες προκλήσεις. Λανίτειο Σχολείο, Λεμεσος. Προσκεκλημένη Ομιλία για την Ημέρα του Εκπαιδευτικού (Ενδοϋπηρεσιακή Επιμόρφωση).
- Giannikas, C.N. (2018). ‘Why all the drama? Teaching Young Learners with a pinch of creativity’ Teacher Development in TESOL, University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Invited Workshop
- Giannikas, C.N. (2018). ‘Feeding Children’s Curiosity: developing the four skills through games’. 17th Cyprus International Publishers Exhibition, Nicosia, Cyprus. Opening Presentation
2017:
- Giannikas, C.N. & Higho, C. (2017). Pre-Primary English Teaching. On behalf of HarperCollins Publishers. Ministry of Education, Dubai, UAE. Invited Presentation
- Giannikas, C.N. & Hughes, A. (2017). Early Language Learning. On behalf of HarperCollins Publishers. Ministry of Education, Dubai, UAE. Invited Presentation
- Giannikas, C.N. (2017). Assessing Young Learners through Games and Enjoying it! TESOL Greece, The Big SIG Day. Plenary Presentation.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2017). Social Media in eLearning: friend or foe? EuroCALL 2017. Workshop for the Teacher Education SIG.
- Giannikas, C.N. (2017). Feeding the Young Learner’s Curiosity: L2 development through games. 15th ELTA Serbia Conference. Workshop
- Giannikas, C.N. (2017). Assessing Young Learners through Games. IATEFL Annual Conference YLT SIG Day. Workshop for YLTSIG Day.
Academic Article Reviewer for:
TESOL Journal (Reviewer’s Certificate)
TESOL Quarterly
Foreign Language Annals
Language Learning and Technology Journal
Modern Language Journal
Open Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning
The New Educator Journal
Canadian Journal of Education and Learning
Pedagogies: An International Journal
Editorial Advisory Board:
The Handbook of Research on Cultivating Literacy in Diverse and Multilingual Classrooms
Interdisciplinary Approaches toward Enhancing Teacher Education
Academic Conference Abstract Reviewer:
EuroCALL 2019 Conference Abstract Reviewer
The Asian Conference on Language Learning 2019, 2020 (International Academic Forum) Abstract Reviewer (Senior Reviewer Certificate)
Children and Languages Today 2018, 2019 Conference Abstract Reviewer and Member of the Program Committee
AILA Conference 2020, Abstract Reviewer
Academic Proceedings Chapter Reviewer:
EuroCALL Proceedings 2016
EuroCALL Proceedings 2017
EuroCALL Proceedings 2018
EuroCALL Proceedings 2019
EuroCALL Proceedings 2020
School Contests/Projects
New York State TESOL Student Contests (essays and digital stories) 2019
Sessions
- PRACTICAL TIPS TO ASSESSING YOUNG LEARNERS ONLINE on 10 April, 2021, Time 12:00 – 12:50,
- FEEDING CHILDREN’S CURIOSITY: DEVELOPING THE FOUR SKILLS THROUGH GAMES (P) on 3 March, 2018, Time 9:00 – 9:50,