NATECLA: in Memory of John Sutter
The sudden passing of our friend and colleague, John Sutter (on 3rd October) has left a profound sense of loss in NATECLA, the ESOL community and far beyond. John’s career in ESOL began in the early 1990s and spanned teaching, teacher education, research, consultancy and writing. From his work at LLU+ London South Bank University to his vital contributions at Learning Unlimited, he helped shape national and regional projects including the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum, the Professional Standards for ESOL and Literacy, and the highly regarded TELLs course. His collaborations with NIACE, the Education and Training Foundation and many partners across the UK and Europe reflected his commitment to lifelong learning and social justice in education.
John was widely admired as an inspiring educator, mentor and thinker whose ideas challenged convention and celebrated learners’ linguistic and cultural identities. Colleagues remember his warmth, humour and generosity, his transformative training sessions, and his ability to make complex ideas engaging and accessible. A passionate advocate for ESOL and adult education - and a gifted musician - John brought creativity, compassion and humanity to everything he did. He will be remembered with deep affection and gratitude by all who had the privilege to work with him.