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.
For those who joined us, 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 you all a relaxing, enjoyable summer and look forward to welcoming you back with new events in September.
If you have any queries, get in touch with us by emailing info@natecla.org.ukor calling 07443 601 298.
All the best,
Laura, Doeon and Irene
NATECLA National Centre
A Tribute to Jenny Wainman
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Jenny Wainman. Jenny was a dedicated volunteer for the Ruth Hayman Trust and a passionate quiz master for the famous NATECLA conference quiz.
Her enthusiasm, commitment and warmth will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We send our heartfelt condolences to Jenny’s family, friends and all those who were fortunate to work with her.
Annual Conference 2026
Annual Conference 2026 brought together ESOL professionals in Birmingham for two days of learning, discussion and collaboration. Despite the summer heatwave, delegates enjoyed more than 40 workshops and plenary talks, including Jon Hird's Spoken Grammar in the ESOL Classroom and the inspiring Transforming Lives Through ESOL: Learner Perspectives.
It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces alongside new members of the NATECLA community, all sharing ideas and experiences.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making the conference such a success – our sponsors, workshop leaders, delegates, exhibitors, volunteers, NATECLA Chairs and Trustees, and the excellent team at Conference Aston. Your commitment and enthusiasm created a welcoming and engaging event for everyone involved.
If you'd like to relive some of the best moments, search #NATECLA26 on LinkedIn to see photos, reflections and highlights shared by attendees.
You can see some photos below, and you can find even more on the Conference website.
Feedback
We have received many responses to the feedback form. For those who joined us, we really want to hear what you thought of the conference and improve things next year. So please, send your feedback if you haven't done it yet.
Workshop slides and resources
If you'd like to revisit the conference, don't forget to explore the new Post-Conference section on our website. There you'll find a growing collection of resources, including presentation slides, workshop materials, Emily Bryson´s sketchnotes and recordings from our keynote and plenary sessions.
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.
Other events from NATECLA
Save the Date! NATECLA SW & Y&H: Employability and ESOL
Title: NATECLA SW & Y&H: Employability and ESOL
Date: Monday 5 October 2026
Time: 11:45–13:15
Join NATECLA South West and Yorkshire & Humber branches for a joint online mini-conference exploring employability and ESOL.
Full programme to follow. We look forward to seeing you there!
NATECLA Scotland Conference 2026
Title: NATECLA Scotland Annual Conference
Date: Saturday 7th November 2026
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Location: Edinburgh College, Granton Campus
Cost: £35 members / £70 non-members
NATECLA Scotland are delighted to invite you to the 2026 Annual Conference.
The programme will include:
Opening Plenary
Parallel workshops led by experienced practitioners
Closing Plenary and raffle
Exhibition hall with opportunities to meet and talk with a range of organisations.
Exhibitor opportunities
Organisations interested in exhibiting at the conference are invited to complete this form to register their interest. The event provides an opportunity to connect with an engaged audience of ESOL teachers and practitioners.
Exhibitor fees:
Standard organisation: £250
Small organisation: £120
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.
Resource of the Month
We Keep each other Safe. A practical guide for migrants in the UK on keeping safe from far right violence.
With the threat of racist violence in the UK intensifying in recent years, this month's featured resource is the Community Safety Workbook, developed by the Migrants' Rights Network with Anaka Collective and Participation and the Practice of Rights, with the support of the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) VISION consortium.
Co-created with migrants and migrant-led organisations, the workbook shares practical, community-led safety strategies and offers valuable insights for ESOL practitioners working with refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrant communities.