NATECLA Training (in-house)

Aleks is Head of Sanctuary at the University of Leicester. She has been heavily involved in developing University of Sanctuary work at her institution and across the HE sector, particularly by widening participation to HE for refugee-background students through trauma-informed English language provision. Her recent work has included her article entitled ‘Towards a Trauma-Informed ELT Pedagogy for Refugees’ and 'Beyond Resilience: Facilitating Learning and Wellbeing in the Refugee Language Classroom'

Carol is an ESOL and Functional Skills English teacher who has also taught digital skills and employability while at Adult Community Learning, Essex. She also works with KS4 students to bridge the gap between GCSE English and ESOL. As a freelance materials writer, she has written for NOCN-British Council, contributed to Teaching Tracks Top Ten (using songs in the classroom) and blogs about matters relating to sustainability. Carol is also the current Branch Chair of NATECLA East of England and is a member of NATECLA's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working group.

Chloë (QTLS, ATS, CTEACH) has a particular interest in action research and developing the digital literacies of learners and staff alike.

She teaches in her local college and is also involved in a variety of freelance projects including: course design and training on the ETF’s Award in Education and Training (ESOL); community space lead for AmplifyFE; e-learning facilitator for NILE; and trainer and consultant for NATECLA.

Christine is a language learner (Welsh), teacher and teacher trainer. She has been teaching ESOL for over 20 years in Birmingham in an FE college and in Adult Education, during which time she also worked as a cross college Advanced Practitioner and the main trainer on CELTA programmes. Her primary interest is still in coaching and staff development. Her MA in ELT research focused on feedback on teaching and developmental conversations. She is currently working with newly arrived asylum seekers as a volunteer teacher and works with the Voluntary ESOL Working Group exploring how best to support teachers in the voluntary sector.

Emily Bryson is an author and teacher educator with a visual twist. She has written various print and digital materials, including National Geographic Learning’s Voices and Impact series, 50 Ways to Teach Life Skills and A-Z of ESOL.

She taught adult ESOL learners at City of Glasgow College for sixteen years and dedicated herself to supporting the acquisition of life skills such as digital, literacy, employability and communication. She has also led the New Scots strategy while on secondment at Education Scotland and the Peer Education programme for Scottish Refugee Council.

Her passion is sharing the magic of visual thinking and storytelling with ELT professionals.

Eve taught ESOL and Functional Maths for 20 years at an FE college. Since 2019 she has worked as an Advanced Practitioner, leading on training and coaching for teachers and specialising in the use of digital technologies. She has worked on several action research projects, including a Digital and Blended learning project with Greater Manchester colleges and an OTLA project investigating vocational provision for ESOL students. She also works with ETF, delivering teacher training programmes for ESOL teachers.

Isla is a creative ESOL and community practitioner with extensive experience teaching teenage and adult ESOL learners, coaching, training and developing staff and working with technology to enhance learning. Currently working as Head of Learning Technologies (and still teaching ESOL) with a mission to improve staff and students digital skills in order to enable them to learn better and develop more.

Judy Kirsh, a former NATECLA Co-Chair and Trustee, has over 35 years’ experience in the field of ESOL as a teacher, teacher trainer, resource writer, external examiner, consultant and volunteer. She worked at Learning Unlimited and LLU+ on a wide range of projects, professional development modules, and courses for ESOL practitioners, specialising in ESOL literacy. Judy has developed resources for New to ESOL, the British Council, and the Learning and Work Institute. She recently launched her own professional website, TESOL-training.com

Mary is an experienced ESOL teacher, manager and teacher trainer (CELTA, Level 5 ESOL and PGCE), and one of the trustees of NATECLA. She now works mainly in teacher development and quality improvement. She has led professional development workshops for ESOL teachers and teacher trainers for many years, focusing on practical teaching and learning as well as teachers’ knowledge about language and evidence-based approaches to language teaching.

Michaela is a passionate teacher and trainer with considerable experience working with refugee and migrant learners, both in the UK and abroad. She delivers inclusive, trauma-informed lessons for teenagers and adults that build language, confidence, and resilience. With a background in English, Classics and Development Studies, she has designed curriculum on literature and social justice. Her action research focuses on trauma-informed practice, and she is currently qualifying as a TISUK (Trauma Informed Schools UK) Practitioner. Michaela’s training helps ESOL and vocational staff better understand and respond to diverse learner needs. She mostly works at a large FE college but loves to travel!

Olena is an experienced and dedicated ESOL teacher, trainer, IQA, and examiner with over 25 years of teaching experience in the UK and abroad. She holds an MA in Philology, CELTA, and QTS. She taught ESOL and European Culture across Europe and Asia before settling in the UK. Since joining the Workers’ Educational Association, Olena has embraced blended and hybrid learning approaches to make language education more flexible and inclusive. She has extensive experience working with migrants and refugees from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Olena’s professional development sessions for ESOL teachers focus on practical, engaging methods that inspire confidence and creativity in the classroom.

Rachel is a freelance Education Consultant and teacher trainer specialising in Essential Skills in Further Education, in particular English and ESOL, CPD delivery and resource development. She is a former Co-Chair and current Trustee of NATECLA, as well as sitting on the East of England Branch Committee. She is a Fellow of SET, a holder of QTLS, ATS and CTeach, as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Teachers. Rachel has been awarded with an Advanced Virtual Trainer qualification and runs various online training and networking events. She has experience in various FE settings including work-based, community and prison learning.

Sam is a language learner, teacher, trainer and translator. As Advanced Learning Practitioner at a North London AdultEd college, he leads the CPD program and ESOL curriculum quality. He is also an active mentor and coach. He works freelance as a CELTA course tutor both online and in person. ESOL initiatives Sam has created include the ESOL Participatory Podcast, Peer Mentoring in ESOL and Self-Study workshops to encourage learners to embrace the identity as English language learners and users. Sam has written for ELT publications and platforms including IATEFL-SIG, FE Week and the Ascentis blog on innovative ESOL.