Dr Tijana Gajich
Associate Professor

Born on April 7, 1984, in Belgrade, Serbia.

Education

• PhD in Applied Linguistics and Critical Pedagogy, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology, 2017–2020
• MA in English Language and Literature, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology, 2008–2009
• BA in English Language and Literature, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology, 2003–2007

Dr Tijana Gajić is an Associate Professor with over fifteen years of experience in higher education teaching and academic research. She has taught undergraduate and master’s courses and has developed significant pedagogical expertise through her work with international students in Serbia. Her doctoral research focused on the relationship between critical thinking development and achievement in foreign language learning at the university level.

Her research interests are primarily situated within critical applied linguistics, English language teaching methodology, digital technologies in foreign language education, and English for Specific Purposes. She has authored and co-authored a substantial number of papers presented at international conferences and published in nationally and internationally recognized journals (M20 category). She is a co-author of the nationally recognized monograph Foreign Language Teaching and the Development of Critical Thinking in the Era of Neoliberalism: A Critical Pedagogy Perspective.

In addition to her research and teaching activities, Dr Gajić actively contributes to the academic community as a reviewer for the international journal Frontiers in Education and as an expert reviewer in the accreditation of higher education study programs for the National Accreditation Body (NAT). She is also a co-author and instructor of the accredited professional development seminar Creative Use of Digital Tools in Foreign Language Teaching, designed for primary and secondary school teachers and approved by the Institute for the Improvement of Education (ZUOV).

Her teaching excellence has been internationally recognized through the PROFFORMANCE Teaching Excellence Award for her project Innovations in Foreign Language Teaching and Assessment through the Use of Online Learning and Assessment Tools, which highlights innovative and pedagogically grounded approaches to language teaching and evaluation.

She was selected as the sole representative of ELTA Serbia to present a paper at the TESOL-Spain 49th Annual National Convention, an international conference of teachers of English as a foreign language, held in Seville, Spain.

Dr Gajić is an active member of the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Alumni Community of Practice, the Exchange Alumni network of the U.S. Department of State, and the English Language Teachers’ Association (ELTA). She also has extensive professional experience in academic translation related to higher education accreditation processes, as well as in proofreading and editing academic papers for scientific and professional conferences. In addition, she has designed syllabi for master’s-level programs in English language and literature.

She places particular emphasis on continuous professional development, regularly participating in international training programs, courses, and seminars. A selection of professional development activities completed in 2025 is listed below:

• Future Forward Global Challenge, a six-week virtual exchange, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and funded by the U.S. government, and administered by FHI 360, September 29 – November 17
• TESOL Methodology Course, University of Maryland – Baltimore County, 64 hours, April 8 – June 2 (Final Grade: 99.50%)
• Open Orientation Course, Online Professional English Network, March 28 – April 8
• Teacher Training Workshop Project-Based Learning Using Museums in our Midst, Regional English Language Office, January 24
• Teacher Training Workshop Heart Focused Pedagogy: Building Classroom Community through Creativity, Play, and Social-Emotional Learning, Regional English Language Office, January 24

A selected list of publications from the past five years is provided below:

• Maenza, N. & Gajić, T. (2026). (2026) The Role of English as a Second Language in Learning French as a Third Language: Learners’ Perceptions, Didáctica. Lengua y Literatura, Vol. 37.
• Gajić, T. (2021). Assessing Critical Thinking and Achievement in Foreign Language Learning at the University Level, Andragogical Studies. 2021 (2), 107-128.
• Gajić, T. (2022). Challenging Neoliberalism: The Status of English as a Global Language as Seen by Students in Serbia, Nasleđe. 2022 (52), 117-133.
  Gajić, T., Veljković Michos, М., Gagić, А. & Maenza, N. (2024). Assessment of Digital Tools Impact in Language Education: Insights from Educators and Students, Revista Publicando, 11(44), 14-34.
• Gajić, T. (2024). Needs analysis in an English for legal purposes context: A case study of Serbian law professionals, Proceedings of the Faculty of Philosophy in Priština, 54 (3), 117-135.
• Maenza, N. & Gajić, T. (2024). Exploring Student Perceptions about Enhancing English Vocabulary with the WordUp Mobile App. Research in Pedagogy, 14(1), pp. 16-27.
• Gajić, T. (2022). Critical Pedagogy and Language Education: Hearing the Voices of Serbian Students Studying Foreign Languages. Annals of the Faculty of Philology, 34 (1), 91-106.
• Gajić, T. & Maenza, N. (2022). Attitudes and Perceptions towards Popular Language Learning Apps: Comparison and Analysis. Uzdanica, 19 (2), 229-244.
• Gajić, T. & Maenza, N.  (2020). The modality of tandem learning as an aspect of a contemporary trend in foreign language learning: The example of the HelloTalk mobile app. Teaching and Education, 69 (3), 361-375.
• Gajić, T. (2025). The Contemporary Teacher: Digital Tools, Creative Methods, and Inspiration (invited speaker). Round Table The Contemporary Teacher in Contemporary Education, Faculty of Foreign Languages, ALFA BK University, Belgrade.
• Đerić, I., Maenza, N., Stanišić, N., Gagić, A. & Gajić, T. (2025). Digital Platforms Fostering Intercultural Competence in Language Classes. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2025 (str. 424 – 430).
• Gajić, T., Nikolić, J., Maenza, N. & Gagić, A. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Mobile Language Learning: Duolingo and the Rise of a New Educational Era. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2025 (str. 405 – 410).
• Maenza, N., Gajić, T., Veljković Michos, M. & Gagić, A. (2024). Understanding the Role of Digital Tools in Serbian High School Language Education. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2024 (str. 304 – 309).
• Gagić, A., Gajić, T., Gavranović, V., Maenza, N. & Veljković Michos, M.  (2023).  Digital Tools for Language Learning: Exploring Teachers’ Innovative and Engaging Practices. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2023 (str. 281 – 287).
• Stanišić, N., Gajić, T., Đerić, I. & Rončević, M.  (2022). Blended Learning Approach to Teaching ESP at the Tertiary Level. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2022 (str. 302 – 308).
• Gajić, T. & Maenza, N. (2022). The Comparison of the Most Popular Mobile Applications for Learning Foreign Languages. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2022 (str. 335 – 340).
• Nikolić, J., Nikolić, J. & Gajić, T. (2022). The Use of Kahoot! in Foreign Language Teaching. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2022 (str. 347 – 352).
• Maenza, N. & Gajić, T. (2020). WordUp Mobile Application – an Entertaining Form of Perfecting Your English Vocabulary. Conference Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference SYNTHESIS 2020 (str.105-110).
• Maenza, N. & Gajić, T.  (2023). The influence of English on the acquisition of French as a foreign language. 21st ELTA Serbia International Conference.
• Maenza, N., Đerić, I. & Gajić, T. (2022). Action Research in Foreign Language Teaching. 22nd ELTA Serbia International Conference.
• Nikolić, J., Nikolić, J. & Gajić, T. (2022). The benefits of using Kahoot in conventional and online classrooms. 22nd ELTA Serbia International Conference.

The complete list of publications and a detailed academic biography are available at:

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5013-2867

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tijana-gajic-9186b460