Monthly Update July 2025
Dear members ,
Welcome to our Monthly Update July 2025!
We hope everyone is looking forward to the summer break.
Three weeks after our Annual Conference 2025, we are still buzzing with energy and we would like to thank everyone for making it possible and for creating a such a positive and friendly environment during the two days of the event.
We’d also like to extend our thanks once again to our main sponsor, Ascentis, and to our supporting sponsors: English Speaking Board International, Trinity College London, National Geographic Learning, City and Guilds, and Amazy.
We really want to hear what you thought of the conference. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to complete the Conference feedback form.
We wish everyone a fun and restful summer break. See you with new events in September!
If you have any queries, get in touch with us by emailing info@natecla.org.uk or calling 07443 601 298.
All the best,
Laura, Irene and Doeon
NATECLA National Centre
Annual Conference 2025
Our biggest conference yet, Annual Conference 2025, was a real success, and we’d like to thank everyone who made it possible: from delegates and speakers to exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, NATECLA chairs and trustees, and the fantastic staff at Conference Aston.
Don’t just take our word for it! Have a look at what people shared over the weekend on social media. Just search for #NATECLA25 on LinkedIn to see first-hand posts and reflections from attendees.
Here are some of the highlights, which you can also find on our Conference website.
This is the link to Sam Shepherd’s blog post: https://samuelshep.wordpress.com/2025/06/28/be-more-squirrel/
Feedback
We have received many responses to the feedback form, but we want to read all attendees thoughts and improve things next year. So please, send your feedback if you haven't done it yet.
Workshop slides and resources
The sessions' presentations are already available on the Conference website. We will keep posting them as we receive them from presenters.
Conference photos
Here is a selection of photos from Friday and Saturday. Please, send an email to info@natecla.org.uk if you don't want your image to be shared.
TeachMeet Attendee Reflection Questionnaire
If you attended the Trinity Teachmeet at the Conference, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Please share your feedback by completing this short questionnaire.
Voluntary ESOL Forum
We are writing to invite you to join this much-needed and long-awaited discussion forum for the voluntary ESOL sector, hosted by jiscmail, moderated by NATECLA.
To subscribe please email the owners at: VOLUNTEERSINESOLFORUM-REQUEST@JISCMAIL.AC.UK and request to be added to the mailing list.
We very much welcome volunteers as well as coordinators to join the group.
Resources
NATECLA In-House Training: Book now for your CPD day
At NATECLA, we understand that high-quality, affordable, and practical in-house training for ESOL departments is hard to find. That is why we offer a training service, connecting highly rated teacher trainers with further education colleges, adult and community education services, and private training providers, including those in EFL. Our goal is to help teachers and managers to develop practical teaching skills. Our expert trainers offer a variety of 90-minute, half-day, or full-day sessions, all tailored to your department’s needs. Some of our sessions include:
Trauma-informed ESOL
Online ESOL Teaching
Creating Active ESOL Learning Programmes
Best practice in developing, sharing and using ESOL resources
ESOL and Neurodiversity
Embedding ESOL in mainstream courses
Basic literacy for ESOL learners
Teaching pronunciation
Differentiation: stretching and supporting learners without over-stretching teachers
Giving effective feedback
Happiness and wellbeing in the ESOL classroom.
IATEFL discount for NATECLA members
NATECLA is an associate member of IATEFL, so all our individual members can benefit from discounted IATEFL membership
IATEFL Individual membership: £74 per year.
IATEFL Associate Individual Membership: £27 per year.
Some of the advantages of being a member of IATEFL include:
Keep up to date with all that's new in your profession interactionally.
Build your network of colleagues from around the world, sharing your ideas and your challenges.
Attend regular webinars on a wide range of topics.
Search their archive of recorded webinars, articles and publications
Get discounted prices on a range of publications and resources.
Benefit from member prices to attend the annual IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition.
Apply for a range of IATEFL scholarships only available to members.
How to join with the discounted price:
Write to info@natecla.org.uk to ask for the discount code.
Go to IATEFL website.
Introduce the code.
Complete the form.
Free IELTS for refugees
A new agreement signed by Cambridge and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will enable refugees to take IELTS tests for free.
Resource of the Month
Yorkshire & Humber-based charity MESH has launched a new online resource to help refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants with professional experience in health navigate the UK’s complex registration routes.
The resource includes:
Clear explanations of requirements for doctors, nurses, midwives, and other health roles
Practical slide sets covering each profession
An interview with an ESOL specialist about OET and IELTS
Elahe’s story: a midwife from Iran rebuilding her career in the UK
While the resource is focused on Yorkshire & Humber, much of it is relevant to anyone hoping to return to health professions anywhere in the UK.
Share your story with NATECLA
We love hearing from our members! Whether it’s a success story, a useful teaching tip, an inspiring resource, or a special moment from your ESOL lessons or journey—we want to showcase it!
Your contribution could be featured in our social media posts to inspire and connect our community.
Here are some ideas of what you can share:
What you love about teaching ESOL
Why you joined NATECLA
A recent classroom success
Any challenges you’re facing
Classroom tips or activities that have worked well for you
Jobs
Ascentis- Subject Moderator
Title: Subject Moderator
Type: Job Vacancy
Organisation Name: Ascentis
Hours: Casual
Location: North West
Closing Date: 27 Aug 2025
Starting Salary: £30.00 per hour
Job Type: Fixed-term, remote, variable hours
Closing date: 27 August 2025
Ascentis are looking for enthusiastic dedicated professionals to join their Subject Moderator team in the following subject areas: Chemistry, Biology, Human Physiology, Physics, Sports Science, Business, Law, Computing, Mathematics, and Art.
Ascentis- Quality Assurer
Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Type: Job Vacancy
Organisation Name: Ascentis
Hours: Full-time
Location: North West
Closing Date: 12 Aug 2025
Starting Salary: £35,950 per annum
Job Type: Permanent, full-time
Ascentis has an opportunity to join their Compliance and Quality Assurance Team. You will manage quality assurance systems and activities working to maintain and enhance the standards of our Access to Higher Education Diploma, Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales Regulated Provision.
Quality Assurance Managers are tasked to ensure the delivery and assessment of our provision remains consistent and standardised to guarantee reliable and fair results. You will be supportive to our centres and ensure they adhere to the regulatory requirements.