Language Issues Blog
Exploring ideas, sharing perspectives, and giving ESOL professionals a platform to develop their voice and inspire debate.
About our blog
The Language Issues blog is intended as a potential mouthpiece for contributors to the print journal, and to support new writers for the journal in developing their voice and their views before committing to something more formal.
As such, the articles here may express opinions which are not necessarily the views of NATECLA or of the Editorial Team at Language Issues, and is therefore a separate entity to both. Opinions remain those of the named authors, and are intended to stimulate and provoke discussion in the sector, and not to offend.
To contribute a piece to this blog, complete the following submission form or contact the blog editor, Diana Tremayne on ….
You can also respond with comments below the article for a discussion, but if you feel that any personal line has been crossed, please get in touch with NATECLA.
Blog articles
A successful return of the NATECLA Scotland annual conference
Emma Creswell shares reflections from the annual conference organised by the NATECLA Scotland Branch.
Nerves, Notes, & New ideas: My first TeachMeet
Emma Fitzpatrick, Teaching & Learning Champion, Course Leader and ESOL Lecturer at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale, shares her experience of presenting for the first time at the NATECLA TeachMeet during the Annual Conference in Birmingham.
Reflections from the NATECLA Midlands Winter Conference 2025 by Anne Reardon-James
Attending the NATECLA Midlands Winter conference was the start of conference season for me this year. I have been aware of NATECLA as an organisation for many years and recently joined as a member, attending online training workshops which have all been excellent. I was excited to see the Midlands “It’s ALL about the learner” conference advertised as an in-person event, instead of online, and thought it an ideal opportunity to meet new people and refresh my skills.
NATECLA Midlands: It's ALL about the learner - Face-to-Face Winter Conference 2025
The NATECLA Midlands Winter Conference 2025 was a fantastic opportunity for ESOL practitioners to reconnect, learn, and share expertise. The return to a Midlands in-person event was warmly welcomed, and the day was filled with engaging discussions, practical learning, and a strong sense of community.
#NATECLA national conference – 49 years old and still going strong!
Read some reflections about NATECLA Annual Conference 2024.
Creating Stories in ESOL – Climate and Sustainability
On Earth Day it seems appropriate (and important) to share something on climate and sustainability issues. Here Carol writes about her workshop at last year’s conference,
Reflections on the NATECLA Conference 2023
I had made up my mind to attend the NATECLA 2023 conference as soon as it was advertised. It would be my first real life NATECLA conference since COVID.
The NATECLA #ESOLchat
The first #ESOLchat on Twitter took place at the end of March after lockdown was underway. Teachers (and students) were suddenly having to adapt to huge changes very quickly with little time to plan and often few resources.
Reflections on "The Play's The Thing" Nick Bilbrough's Keynote @ NATECLA National Conference
I admit it, my tank of motivation and ideas was running on empty, my engine was spluttering towards the summer holidays. I thought I needed a break, I was wrong. What I needed was Nick Bilbrough’s Key Note speech about the ‘Hands Up’ project, that he founded.
NATECLA National Conference Teachmeet
Or "shamelessly sharing other people's ideas". The theme of this year's teachmeet at the NATECLA National Conference is around differentiation, and no names, just in case, but credit where it's due none if these are my ideas!