Frustrated because your students forget what they've learned the next lesson? Then the final session we've arranged for the Academic conference is just for you.

Around 70 percent of what we forget disappears from our brains within 24 hours of learning it. There are techniques to improve short-term retention, but less is known about how to make things stick over the weeks, months and years.

ELT teacher and author Paul Dummett has spent a lot of time looking at this problem, and he is going to use his session on Saturday with very practical examples of what teachers can do in the classroom to help students retain what they have learned.

"We do know is that effective learning comes from the brain making links between things and that these links are strengthened by use. In this workshop, I will use practical examples to show ways of presenting and practising language that gives it a greater chance of sticking," he says.

Paul's session is just one of many designed to inspire, develop your skills or both at the two-day Academic Conference. With one day for academic managers and another for teachers, it's the perfect opportunity for some solo or departmental CPD, with plenty of chances to ask questions, follow interests and networking with colleagues facing the same challenges.

Friday 19 January is aimed at academic managers. Michael Carrier, formerly of the British Council and International House, will talk about Reasons to be Cheerful, looking at new markets, niches, and innovation, and Loraine Kennedy will discuss the management implications of increasing student power, driven by social media.

Closing the day, Hannah Alexander-Wright will lead an interactive session on coaching for managers, giving practical advice on how to lead teams effectively.

Elective sessions include a focus on British Council inspections in 2018, goal-setting, performance management, classroom observations, CPD, managing conflict and much more.

January 20 is the teacher-facing day, with opening plenary and an elective session from linguistic guru Professor David Crystal, and the closing speech from Catherine Walter of Oxford University's Centre for Research on English Medium Instruction. Themes for the day include supporting students with additional needs and teaching mixed-ability classrooms, and teachers will talk about their Action Research projects arising from the English UK/Cambridge English Language Assessment scheme.

You can see the full programme or book here.