On June 5, 2026, the Shadow Education SIG successfully held the seminar “Evaluation of an English Teacher Certification Course for Non-Formal Private Tutors in Hungary”, delivered by Agnes Pataki, a PhD student at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary.

Chaired by Professor Mark Bray, UNESCO Chair Professor at The University of Hong Kong, the seminar explored the effectiveness of a teacher training program that provides an English teaching certification to private tutors who typically lack formal teaching credentials. Drawing on a qualitative design that included document analysis, classroom and microteaching observations, and interviews, the talk highlighted how the program’s structured methodology equips tutors with practical pedagogical tools, leading to an enhanced understanding of teaching methods and the extensive development of their teacher identity and professional commitment.

The seminar accommodated both online and onsite participants, reflecting strong engagement from a global audience. The session sparked a very deep discussion with scholars from Hong Kong, India, Hungary, and mainland China regarding how professional support and communities can improve teaching quality, proving to be just as essential in shadow education as they are in the formal education sector.