News
Take Action for ESOL: Write to Your MP Today
There are discussions currently in Government about ESOL and also about education in devolved authorities, which makes it a perfect time to write to our own MPs to influence their thinking and from there influence the Government. A White Paper is coming out in December so it's important that we write now.
We have been advised that asking our own MPs to write to Angela Rayner is probably the best way to do this, as MHCLG is leading on the English language review, and because of MHCLG's role in the devolution agenda, which is a key area for the Prime Minister.
NATECLA seeking new Co-chair
We are now inviting expressions of interest from NATECLA members who might be interested in taking on the important role of Co-chair. It is a busy time for the organisation and we would like to appoint someone with a passion for both ESOL and the wide-ranging work that NATECLA does.
Monthly Update November 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our Monthly Update November 2026!
We’re happy to introduce our free webinars for individual members, offering practical ideas and support for ESOL professionals. Find out more about our upcoming sessions below and book your place!
There’s still time to book your place at the NATECLA Scotland Annual Conference taking place next weekend. We look forward to welcoming everyone in Edinburgh!
Read the whole update here.
Free webinar access for NATECLA Individual members
At NATECLA, we’re keen to strengthen our community and encourage more people to benefit from being individual members.
To support this, we’re offering FREE access to all NATECLA webinars for individual members from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027.
NATECLA Members Help Shape the Review of the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum
NATECLA members have played an important role in the Department for Education's review of the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum. Feedback from more than 100 practitioners highlights strong support for the current curriculum while identifying key priorities around progression pathways, access, qualifications and learner support.
Have Your Say: Government Survey on English Language Provision
NATECLA members involved in the leadership, management or strategic oversight of English language provision are invited to contribute to a national stakeholder survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Monthly Update October 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our Monthly Update October 2026!
We’re excited to launch our autumn webinar series, sponsored by NOCN Group, with three practical webinars exploring a range of topics.
The series starts with Countering Racism and Discrimination: Supporting our Students in Dealing with Difficult Situations, an important session exploring how we can support our students when they encounter challenging situations. Find out more below.
We’re also pleased to share the full programme for our Scotland Annual Conference, sponsored by Pearson, including details of the workshops and speakers.
Read the full update to know more.
Welcoming our new Co-Chair, Cathy Clarkson
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Cathy Clarkson as NATECLA’s new Co-Chair.
Read more here.
Monthly Update September 2026
Dear members,
Welcome to our Monthly Update September 2026!
We hope you’ve had a chance to switch off, recharge and enjoy the summer. As the new academic year starts, we’re excited to get things moving again and have plenty to share with you.
You may notice a few changes in this month’s Monthly Update. We’ve given it a fresh new look to make it easier to navigate, and we’ve also made some exciting changes to our membership options.
One of our new options is a Large Organisation Membership, designed for larger colleges and organisations that would like to involve more members of their staff in our events. Read on to find out more about our updated membership options and what they mean for you.
We’ll soon be announcing our new season of webinars, with a programme of practical sessions planned for the months ahead. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some interesting events, opportunities and news from across the ESOL sector to help you get the new academic year off to a great start.
Read the full update to know more.
A Tribute To Matthew Corbett
NATECLA has been deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Matthew Corbett. Matt worked closely with NATECLA when he was part of the ESOL Product team at Ascentis and has been a long standing member and supporter of our organisation for many years.
New look membership packages
From 1 September 2026, NATECLA has introduced new look membership packages to make the categories clearer and better reflect the size and needs of our members. Read them here
Recognition for your ESOL department: The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL
NATELA is encouraging members and ESOL providers across the country to consider applying for The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL, part of the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards programme, before 9th September 2026. The award recognises outstanding ESOL provision in further education, celebrating innovation, impact and inclusion in supporting learners who use English as a second or additional language.
NATECLA´s New Course: Bridge to ESOL
We're delighted to launch Bridge to ESOL, our new accredited online course designed to support English language teachers making the transition into ESOL.
Monthly Update July 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our Monthly Update July 2026!
We hope you´re all having a great summer and, if you´re taking a break, getting some time to relax.
Three weeks after our Annual Conference 2026, we are still buzzing with energy! Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a positive, welcoming atmosphere over what was surely one of the hottest NATECLA conferences ever! Despite the heat wave, everyone’s enthusiasm and engagement made it a truly memorable event.
We’d also like to extend our thanks once again to our main sponsor, NOCN, and to our supporting sponsors: English Speaking Board International, Ascentis, City and Guilds, and Gateway Qualifications.
Read the full update to know more.
Have your say on the ESOL curriculum
The DfE, with support from NATECLA, is currently gathering information on the effectiveness of ESOL content and qualifications as part of our commitment in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper to review the adult essential skills offer.
They want to hear from a range of stakeholders and are particularly keen to hear from practitioners who are directly involved in the design and delivery of courses for adult ESOL learners funded through adult skills funding.
Monthly Update May 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our April 2026 Update.
As we move closer to the summer, preparations for the Annual Conference are in full swing, and there’s still time to take advantage of our Early Bird tickets, available until 31st May.
We’re also pleased to share that applications for our Teachmeet are open: a great opportunity to share ideas and connect with colleagues in an informal and supportive space.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching our conference app, designed to help you make the most of your experience, from exploring the programme to planning your schedule and connecting with other attendees.
As always, you’ll find more details below, along with upcoming events and the latest news from across the ESOL sector.
Monthly Update April 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our April 2026 Update.
As we move closer to the summer, preparations for the Annual Conference are in full swing, and there’s still time to take advantage of our Early Bird tickets, available until 31st May.
We’re also pleased to share that applications for our Teachmeet are open: a great opportunity to share ideas and connect with colleagues in an informal and supportive space.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching our conference app, designed to help you make the most of your experience, from exploring the programme to planning your schedule and connecting with other attendees.
As always, you’ll find more details below, along with upcoming events and the latest news from across the ESOL sector.
Monthly Update March 2026
Dear members ,
Welcome to our March 2026 Update.
As our webinar season wraps up, we’d like to thank everyone who has joined us over the past months. There’s still one final session to come, Participatory Photography in the ESOL Class, and tickets are still available to take part in this engaging and creative session.
We’re also thrilled to sharethe full line-up for the Annual Conference 2026. This year’s programme features over 40 workshops and presenters, offering a rich variety of topics and perspectives. You’ll find more details in this update, along with other events and sector news.
