A great success 🎉: NATECLA Midlands: It's ALL about the learner - Face-to-Face Winter Conference 2025

📅 Date: Friday, 28th February 2025
📍 Venue: Brasshouse Languages, Birmingham B1 2ND, UK
🎤 Organised by: NATECLA Midlands Committee
🤝 Sponsored by: NOCN 

After a break due to the pandemic, NATECLA Midlands was delighted to host its first face-to-face Winter Conference It's ALL about the learner on 28th February 2025. The event brought together up to 100 ESOL professionals for a day of insightful workshops, networking, and resource-sharing.

A Day of Engaging Workshops & Discussions

The conference featured a range of expert-led workshops, covering key topics in ESOL education:

🔹 Chlöe Hynes guided attendees through the benefits and challenges of using AI in education, highlighting how it can streamline workloads and enhance learning experiences. This engaging workshop provided a whistle-stop tour of AI and its impact on ESOL teaching. 

Attendees explored how to communicate effectively with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, using tailored prompts to support lesson planning and teaching. The session offered practical strategies for integrating AI into ESOL classrooms, helping educators save time while improving learner engagement.

🔹 Rachel Öner moved beyond theory, offering hands-on approaches that educators can apply in their classrooms to create a more inclusive learning environment. This insightful workshop focused on practical strategies to support ESOL learners with neurodiverse needs, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia. 

Attendees explored tried-and-tested techniques for supporting learners, whether they had a formal diagnosis or showed signs of neurodiverse learning challenges. The session also provided opportunities to practice using familiar support tools and discover teacher-recommended resources designed to make language learning more accessible for all students.

🔹 Sharon Baker guided attendees in understanding the types of trauma ESOL learners may have faced and how these experiences can impact their ability to learn. This powerful and thought-provoking workshop explored how to create an empowering and safe ESOL classroom for learners who have experienced trauma. 

Attendees focused on practical strategies to support trauma-affected learners, including ways to minimise triggers, foster a sense of safety, and provide appropriate support when needed. Additionally, the workshop addressed vicarious trauma—the emotional impact on educators—and highlighted self-care strategies to help practitioners maintain their well-being while supporting their students.

🔹Award winning, Sam Pepper, guided attendees through the key autonomy sub-skills that help students develop confidence, motivation, and independent study habits. This interactive workshop explored the importance of learner autonomy in ESOL education, focusing on how learners can take ownership of their language-learning journey beyond the classroom. 

Attendees reflected on practical tools, technologies, and strategies that support autonomous learning, as well as the emotional and psychological aspects of language learning. The session also encouraged educators to help learners positively frame their progress, fostering a sense of identity and ownership over their development as language learners.

Exhibitors & Networking Opportunities

The event also featured a range of exhibitors, including Oxford University Press, Ascentis. Across Cultures and the Ruth Hayman Trust, who showcased the latest resources available to support ESOL educators. Attendees had the chance to explore new teaching materials, discuss best practices, and connect with fellow professionals from across the Midlands and beyond!

A Successful and Inspiring Event

The NATECLA Midlands Winter Conference 2025 was a fantastic opportunity for ESOL practitioners to reconnect, learn, and share expertise. The return to a Midlands in-person event was warmly welcomed, and the day was filled with engaging discussions, practical learning, and a strong sense of community.

A huge thank you to NATECLA, organisers and Birmingham ESOL Hub, Birmingham Adult Education Service/Brasshouse Language Centre for allowing us to take over their Brasshouse Language Centre for the afternoon, sponsor (NOCN), speakers (Chlöe Haynes, Rachel Öner, Sharon Baker and Sam Pepper), exhibitors, and attendees for making the event such a success! 

We look forward to seeing you again at future NATECLA Midlands events.