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 tomorrow, 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 share the 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 below.
We’re really pleased to welcome a new sponsor for this year’s conference catering, Gateway Qualifications. Big thanks to them for helping us create a great experience for everyone!
As always, you’ll also find details of upcoming events and the latest news from across the ESOL sector.
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
Book now! - Annual Conference 2026
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.
Workshops
Choose from over 40 workshops, including:
From Language to Livelihoods: Embedding Employability in ESOL
Boosting Confidence in our Students in Dealing with Difficult Situations: Countering Racism and Discrimination in Society
Sketchnoting Sparkle: Super-Charging Notes, Whiteboards and More with Simple Doodles
Beyond the ‘Success Story’: How Language Shapes Refugee Experiences in Education
Feedback That Listens: Shaping Learning Through Noticing
The ND Exam Experience – Before, During and After. Improving Study Skills to Help Navigate Exams
Where Connection Begins: Building Rapport Through EDIB in ESOL Classrooms
Crafting a Standout Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL Submission
A Phonics-Led Approach to Literacies Teaching
Low-Prep, High-Impact: Ideas for a Creative Teacher's Toolkit
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.
Bursaries
Would you like to attend this year’s Annual Conference but don’t have the funds to cover the full ticket cost?
A limited number of part bursaries are available to support colleagues to access this valuable CPD opportunity. Deadline: Friday 8th May 2026.
🌟 Be a Bursary Sponsor for NATECLA 2026🌟
We’re still looking for sponsors to help us make the conference accessible to more ESOL professionals.
Teachmeet
Thanks to City & Guilds for sponsoring this year's Teachmeet.
If you would like to share your most tried and tested activities, approaches or resources for use in the ESOL classroom, take part in this Year's Teachmeet: the perfect CPD opportunity for those who don't feel ready to deliver a workshop.
NATECLA Webinars
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.
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
In this session, we will look at how photography enriches and supports language learning in the ESOL classroom – how it can be used as a simple warmer, as part of a lesson, or as the basis for a full course.
Other events from NATECLA
NATECLA Branch Forums
Title: NATECLA Scotland Forum - The AI Skill Shift: Mastering Critical Thinking, Data Literacy and Ethical Integration
Date: Thursday 30 April 2026
Time: 19:00- 20:30
Presenter: Alexandra Covici
This session will explore the essential skills required to thrive in an AI-powered world, moving beyond technical proficiency to focus on human-centric capabilities.
Title: NATECLA East of England Forum: Retention: Study Skills for Language Learning
Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Time: 16:30-17:30
Presenter: Marie-Léa Demolliens
Price: Free
Join our free online NATECLA East of England Forum, where Marie-Léa Demolliens will be sharing practical ideas on Retention: Study Skills for Language Learning, with strategies you can use straight away to help learners stay motivated and on track.
Title: NATECLA Scotland Forum - Communication Skills
Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
Time: 19:00- 20:30
Presenter: Clare Cameron
This workshop covers individual communication styles and behaviours, active listening, body language, delivery, and dealing with challenging people and situations.
Jobs and volunteer opportunities
NATECLA: Volunteer Health & Safety Lead
Title: Volunteer Health & Safety Lead
Job Type: Volunteer
Organisation name: NATECLA National Centre
Hours: Flexible
Salary: Voluntary (unpaid)
Location: Remote
Closing date: 20 April 2026
Description: NATECLA is looking for a volunteer to take on the role of Health & Safety Lead. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a national membership organisation supporting ESOL educators across the UK.
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
Trustee Vacancy: Grants Group Member
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.
Other events and resources
The Bell Foundation Conference 2026
Title: The Bell Foundation Conference 2026
Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
Place: University of Birimgham
The Bell Foundation’s first-ever conference will be focused on amplifying the voices and needs of EAL and ESOL learners across the education system.
ESOL Research Community
Name: Research ESOL Community: ’Doctoral journeys of ESOL practitioners: a panel discussion'
Date: Thursday 23 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 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
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.
NATECLA In-House Training: Book now for your CPD day
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
The Cultural Atlas is a collaborative project between SBS, International Education Services (IES), and Multicultural NSW. It provides comprehensive information on the cultural background of migrant populations. All published content in the Cultural Atlas is the result of a collective effort between researchers, editors and members of the Australian community that have cross-cultural identities or familiarities. The Cultural Atlas provides useful information for anyone working with or supporting migrant learners.