Monthly Update January 2026
Dear members,
Welcome to our January 2026 Update, and a very belated happy New Year to you all.
We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and are feeling refreshed as we begin 2026. We’re pleased to share that we have already kicked off our Winter Webinar Programme, sponsored by Ascentis. The programme brings together a range of engaging and practical sessions, and we look forward to continuing to welcome you over the coming weeks. Full details and booking information are available below.
We’re also delighted to announce that the Annual Conference 2026 website is now live, along with the ticket booking platform. You can explore the programme outline, venue information and key dates online, with more updates coming soon, including the full workshop line-up.
You’ll find further information on all of the above, as well as the latest sector news and upcoming events, in this update.
We wish you a positive and successful start to the new year and look forward to connecting with you throughout 2026.
If you have any queries, please get in touch with us by emailing info@natecla.org.uk or calling 07443 601 298.
All the best,
Laura, Doeon and Irene
NATECLA National Centre
We’re delighted to share that the NATECLA Annual Conference 2026 website is now live and the ticket booking system is open.
After a sold-out event last year, the conference will take place on 26–27 June 2026 at Conference Aston, Birmingham, and we’re very pleased to confirm NOCN as our main sponsor.
The website includes key information about the venue, ticket options and an overview of the programme. It will be updated regularly as the programme develops.
Exhibitors and sponsors
Don’t miss the chance to showcase your brand at the NATECLA Annual Conference 2026! Our thriving exhibition area offers the perfect opportunity to connect with ESOL and ELT professionals from across the UK and Ireland.
Whether you’re interested in sponsoring the event or having a stall, we have packages to suit your needs. Enjoy high-quality catering, comfortable overnight accommodation, and endless networking opportunities in a professional setting.
NATECLA Webinars
Check our winter webinar programme
Our webinars take place approximately every two weeks on weekdays, with sessions offered at different times to try to accommodate everyone’s schedule.
Can’t make the live session? No problem! All webinars are recorded, and a recording will be shared with you, accessible for up to a month after the event.
A big thank you to Ascentis for sponsoring this term’s webinar programme.
Webinars cost £30 per person, with NATECLA members paying a reduced rate of £5.
Be More Squirrel: Listening to and Acting on Learner Language
Title: Be More Squirrel: Listening to & Acting on Learner Language-entry Prep!
Date: Thursday 22 January 2026
Time: 19:00 - 20.15
Presenter: Sam Shepherd
Think of your lesson as a tree — its roots in students’ experiences, its branches formed by their interactions. Traditional lesson planning can make us act like gardeners, trimming away anything that doesn’t fit our objectives, and missing rich learning opportunities along the way..
Safe, Seen, Supported - Trauma-informed Teaching for Young Learners
Title: Safe, Seen, Supported - Trauma-informed Teaching for Young Learners
Date: Thursday 5 February 2026
Time: 19:00 - 20:15
Presenter: Michaela Hendriks
How can we help young learners build greater resilience? Many have been through difficult and even traumatic experiences, and part of both healing and learning is creating opportunities to grow resilience within a trauma-informed practice.
NEW DATE! How can second language acquisition theory support our learners?
Title: Acquiring language in the ESOL classroom: how can second language acquisition theory support our learners?
Date: Friday 27 February 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:15
Presenter: Sam Pepper
In this session Sam will introduce some second language acquisition theories which inform the way ESOL classrooms, materials and activities are set up. Sam will be sharing loads of classroom ideas, materials and recommended activities which reflect the key themes of these theories.
How the Neuroscience of Trauma Helps Us Understand Behaviour
Title: How the Neuroscience of Trauma Helps Us Understand Behaviour
Date: Thursday 12 March 2026
Time: 12:30 - 13:45
Presenter: Sheila Mulvenney
In this workshop we will consider what neuroscience can tell us about the impact of trauma on the brain and behaviour. We'll then explore some practical strategies to support students and help them to regulate their emotions and get back to learning.
Participatory photography in the ESOL class
Title: Participatory photography in the ESOL class
Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Time: 12.30 - 13:45
Presenter: Sarah Sheldon
More details to be shared soon!
Other events from NATECLA
Ideas Swap for Voluntary ESOL
Title: Ideas Swap for Voluntary ESOL
Date: Friday 23 January 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Cost: Free for people working in the voluntary sector.
Come along to an ideas exchange for supporting people learning English. Share your tips, activities or resources that worked well, in an informal 3-minute presentation.
If you’d like to know more, please contact Sharon at: linguatrust@outlook.com
👉 NEW Date- NOCN and NATECLA Life Skills Teachmeet
Date: Tuesday 3 February 2026
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Theme: Life Skills
Join us in this Teachmeet, sponsored by NOCN, to share teaching ideas on how general core skills are being developed to support progression and enhance learning experiences for ESOL learners.
📢 We are still looking for presenters!
💡 We need your 4 minute presentations on topics including:
🔹Digital literacy – using smartphones, email and online forms
🔹Civic participation – accessing services and understanding rights
🔹Health and wellbeing – communicating health needs
🔹Financial and practical skills – reading bills, forms and letters
🔹Work-readiness – workplace communication and job-search basics
🔹Social English – everyday conversations and confidence building
👉 Submit your application to present here
Or just come along to learn from others!
Natecla ESOL managers’ meeting
Title: Natecla ESOL managers’ meeting
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
Join the next network meeting for ESOL managers working in Further Education(FE), adult education and third sector settings across the UK and Ireland.
A full agenda will be shared shortly.
NATECLA Midlands Branch Winter Conference
Title: NATECLA Midlands Branch Winter Conference
Date: Friday, 13 February 2026
Time: 13:00 to 16:30 (arrival and registration from 12.30)
Place: Brasshouse Languages, 1st Floor, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2ND, UK.
Price: only £15 for NATECLA members, £60 non-members.
Choose two workshops from:
💡Three Activities to Boost Creativity in the Classroom- Naeema B. Hann
🌷 The Resilient Classroom- Michaela Hendriks
✨ Mediation Activities for Language Learning in ESOL- Sam Pepper
📚 Basic Literacy Reading and Writing through ‘Language Experience- Mary Osmaston
Programme
12.30 – 13.15 Arrival, registration, exhibition, tea and biscuits
13.15 – 13.30 Plenary
13.30 – 14.30 Workshop session A
14.30 – 15.00 Break
15.00 – 16.00 Workshop session B (all workshops repeated)
16.00 Close
Jobs and volunteer opportunities
Trustee opportunities with Ruth Hayman Trust
The Ruth Hayman Trust is NATECLA’s chosen charity. For over 40 years, it has supported refugees and asylum seekers in the UK through small grants for education and training. They are looking for
Trustee Vacancy: Honorary Secretary A key administrative and coordination role supporting the day-to-day running of the charity.
Trustee Vacancy: Grants Group Member A role focused on reviewing grant applications and helping allocate education and training funding.
Join NATECLA’s EDI Working Group
The NATECLA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group is looking for new members. We meet - briefly, online about once a term. After publishing the member survey last year, we plan to curate resources to support and embed inclusion and could do with some help.
If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you! You can reply directly to this post, send a message on LinkedIn, or email naema.hann@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.
Senior Quality Assurance Manager (Ascentis)
Location: North West (hybrid – minimum 2 days in office)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £41,666 per annum
Closing date: 30 January 2026 (12 noon)
Ascentis is seeking an experienced Senior Quality Assurance Manager to lead and develop its Quality Assurance team. Reporting to the Head of Awarding and Quality Assurance, the postholder will oversee quality assurance systems, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (including Ofqual and Qualifications Wales), and drive continuous improvement across regulated and customised provision.
Other events and resources
CRELLA Annual Lecture 2026 – in association with NATECLA
Name: Annual Lecture 2026
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 10:30- 13:00
Join this research-focused event on English language assessment and learning, featuring presentations from leading experts:
Mariano Felice (British Council): Bringing a Digital Chatterbox to Life
Insights from developing an AI-based speaking assessment platform, covering challenges from ideation to deployment.Katie Halley (British Council & CRELLA PhD Student): Essential to Interaction?
Explores how embodied resources (like visual behaviours) affect interaction and assessment in online English Medium Instruction (EMI) classrooms.Nicola Latimer (CRELLA): Applying Lessons from Second Language Test Validity
Findings from research analyzing the context and cognitive validity of the reading section in GCSE English Language exams, bridging second language testing frameworks to first language assessment.
Save the date: Refugee Week 2026 Conference (Online)
Name: Refugee Week Conference 2026 (theme: Courage)
Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026
Time: 10:30- 13:00
Join the Refugee Week 2026 Conference on 25 February, 10:30am–1:00pm (GMT) and find out how to get involved in this year’s Refugee Week festival (15th to 21st June 2026).
This online event is open to everyone interested in Refugee Week, whether you’re a long-time supporter or getting involved for the first time. The conference will explore how arts, culture, sport and community activities can help us move together towards hopeful futures for all.
A full programme of sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be followed by an optional Q&A and networking session (separate sign-up required).
Save the date: Research ESOL Community
Name: Research ESOL Community: ’Doctoral journeys of ESOL practitioners: a panel discussion'
Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:30
The next ESOL Research Community will include a panel discussion featuring four ESOL teachers at different stages of their doctoral journeys. The session will explore experiences of conducting research, from developing proposals to collecting data and publishing findings.
The panel members will be:
Zaina Aljumma, Swansea University
Orsolya Dunn, Ayrshire College and University of Glasgow
Rachid Meftah, Bradford College and University of Leeds
Dr Sam Shepherd, Shipley College
Further details, including how to register and submit questions to the panel, will be shared next month. This event will be hosted in collaboration with the Learning and Skills Research Network and NATECLA.
Connect, Share and Collaborate on NATECLA’s Member Discussion Forums
Did you know that as a NATECLA member, you have access to a growing suite of online discussion forums designed to help you connect, share ideas and collaborate with colleagues across the ESOL and community languages sector?
Whether you’re an ESOL teacher, manager, researcher, trainee, or teacher trainer, there’s a dedicated space for you to exchange resources, ask questions, and contribute to the professional conversation.
Our forums cover a wide range of topics including:
ESOL teaching and training – for teachers, trainees and teacher trainers to share experiences and best practice.
Digital specialists in ESOL – to explore tools and technology in language learning.
Equality & Diversity Working Group – for members committed to inclusive practice.
Events and Management Council forums – to support planning and leadership discussions.
Volunteers in ESOL, Community language teachers, and Teaching young learners (14–19) – for sharing practical ideas and advice.
Whether you want to ask for teaching tips, discuss research, or stay connected with NATECLA initiatives, the forums offer a supportive and professional space for conversation.
👉 Access the forums now via the Members’ Platform — open to all personal members and staff from institutional member organisations.
Join the conversation and be part of the collective voice shaping the future of ESOL and community languages teaching.
After the summer break, it’s a great time to focus on professional development.
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.
Resource of the Month
Easier English Wiki provides free, adaptable ESOL teaching materials, including ready-made lessons, simplified news articles, and quizzes on global topics.
It supports teachers with practical ideas for all levels and offers resources suitable for volunteer or refugee contexts, making it ideal for engaging, skills-based learning in adult and community ESOL classrooms.
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
Call for Participants – Research Study
A researcher from Edge Hill University is looking for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), former UASC, and ESOL teachers to take part in one-to-one interviews exploring lived experiences of learning and teaching English. Participation is voluntary and flexible.
ESOL teachers, colleges, and charities based in England are warmly invited to share this opportunity with their learners.
📩 For more information, contact: weerat@edgehill.ac.uk