Monthly Update December 2024
✨Happy Holidays!✨
Dear members ,
As we approach the holiday season, we want to wish everyone a fantastic end to the term and a well-deserved break. We hope you're looking forward to some restful time away from the classroom.
But before we dive into the holidays, we have one last webinar planned for next Thursday, 19th December: Practical Activities for Supporting Learners with Neurodiversity in an ESOL Classroom, presented by Rachel Öner. Taking place at lunchtime, this session is a fantastic opportunity to wrap up the term with valuable insights and practical strategies into how ESOL teachers can support learners with additional needs such aa dyslexia, autism and ADHD.. Don’t worry if you can’t make it – the webinar will be recorded and sent to those who pay to attend later.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that planning for NATECLA’s Annual Conference 2025 is in full swing! The Call for Workshops is now open, and tickets are available through our members' platform. You can find more information below.
After the break, we’re thrilled to start the new year with two of our branch face-to-face conferences and the second NOCN sponsored online Teachmeet, focusing on Employability and Progression—another great opportunity for learning and sharing. And of course, we’ll be unveiling the new term's webinars soon, so stay tuned for more exciting updates!
We wish you all a great holiday season and we look forward to reconnecting in the new year!
If you have any queries, get in touch with us by emailing info@natecla.org.uk or calling 07443 601 298.
All the best,
Laura and Irene
NATECLA National Centre
Monthly Update – sponsorship opportunity
Looking for new sponsorship opportunities? Why not add your branding to our Monthly Update - distributed to 2500 engaged NATECLA contacts every month.
If you choose to sponsor this publication, we can include a short article of your choice that will be of interest to NATELCA members. This could promote your latest resource, a webinar you are running or something else.
The costs to promote our Monthly Update are as follows:
For 3 consecutive months: £500
For 6 consecutive months: £850
To find out more about this opportunity, contact Laura Plotnek-Jones on laura@natecla.org.uk.
Save the date! - Annual Conference 2025
We are proud to introduce NATECLA’s Annual Conference 2025!
Planning is already underway, and we’re excited to share the first details of what promises to be an incredible event. Mark your calendars and save the date!
Date: Friday 27 June - Saturday 28 June 2025.
Venue: Conference Aston, Aston University, Birmingham.
More details will be announced in the new year, but tickets are available to book now!
In the meantime, we’re on the lookout for passionate ESOL practitioners from across the sector to help make this our best conference yet. Whether you’re new to presenting or a seasoned conference pro, NATECLA would love to hear from you!
Call for workshop proposals
We’re seeking 1-hour workshops that have an interactive element and will appeal to ESOL teachers, managers, volunteers and other related professionals practising in the UK and Ireland. Workshops which include practical teaching skills and resources are particularly of interest.
Submission deadline: Friday 10 January 2025
Here are some suggestions of suitable topics to get your creative juices flowing:
Practical teaching skills
Digital skills and teaching online
Assessment 14-19 learning Embedding ESOL in vocational programmes
Supporting Pre-entry / ESOL literacy learners
Trauma informed practice
Teaching mixed ability groups
Exhibitors and sponsors
Don’t miss the chance to showcase your brand at the NATECLA Annual Conference 2025! 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.
For more information contact Laura Plotnek-Jones, National Centre Manager on laura@natecla.org.uk .
NATECLA Webinars
Our webinars take place on a weekday approximately every 2 weeks. After reading your answers from the feedback form, we are introducing new timeslots to accommodate everyone and make events more accessible for those who don't have the time to attend in the evenings. Also, remember most of our webinar are recorded. So, if you sign up but are unable to make the life version, a recording will be share with you which you can access for up to a month after the event has taken place.
Webinars cost £30 per person, with NATECLA members paying a reduced rate of £5.
Practical activities for supporting learners with neurodiversity in an ESOL classroom
Title: Practical activities for supporting learners with neurodiversity in an ESOL classroom
Date: Thursday 19 December 2024
Time: 12:30 - 13:45
Presenter: Rachel Öner
"I can access the theory behind neurodiversity and information on the common challenges faced by my learners, but what are the actual ways I can help?" This webinar will explore some practical strategies that are intended to help learners with the main neurodiversity needs we see in a language learning classroom. The session will explore tried and tested strategies for helping learners who are already diagnosed or suspected as having dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyscalculia or dyspraxia. It will include practice with familiar neurodiversity support tools already available as well as some resources shared by teachers in the sector.
Other NATECLA events
NATECLA Yorkshire and Humber: Thrive & Teach - Face-2-face winter conference
Theme: Thrive & Teach: Self-Love, Self-Care, and Wellbeing for ESOL Teachers
Date: Friday 14th February
Time: registration from 12.15pm, First session from 13:00. Finishing at 16:00
Location: Wakefield College, Margaret Street, Wakefield, WF1 2HD
Cost: £10 members, £40 non-members.
It’s time to prioritise the most important person in a teacher’s life: YOU!
Join us for Thrive & Teach: Self-Love, Self-Care, and Wellbeing for ESOL Teachers, a unique conference dedicated to nurturing the well-being of educators. With practical workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and a generous dose of TLC, you'll leave feeling refreshed and inspired.
NATECLA Midlands: Face-2-face winter conference
Our first NATECLA Midlands Face-2-face conference since before the pandemic to take place as follows:
Date: Friday 28th February
Time: registration from 12.30pm, First session from 13:00
Location: The Brasshouse Centre within the Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2HP
Cost: £10 members, £40 non-members
You will have the opportunity to:
Take part in two, hour long practical learners from highly rated NATECLA trainers
Browse the resources exhibition. Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting this event? Find out more about costs and booking here.
Chat with other ESOL practitioners from across the region over a cup of tea and a biscuit!
The full programme to follow shortly.
NATECLA and NOCN Online Teachmeet: Embedding employability in the ESOL classroom
You are invited to the second NOCN sponsored online ‘Teachmeet’ from the National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA), sponsored by NOCN Group!
Date: Wednesday 29th January 2025
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Location: Online - via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free
Theme: Employability and Progression
Hosted by Diane Tremayne, the theme of this virtual event is ‘Employability and Progression’, exploring how centres are preparing ESOL learners for the workplace.
English Language Fairs in London
ESOL providers from London, including New City College, the Idea Stores, and ELATT, are coming together in three London boroughs to offer a unique opportunity for the local migrant community. Attendees can meet with ESOL, adult education, and support providers all in one place, ask questions, and find the right classes and opportunities for their needs.
The fairs will be held on the following dates:
Hackney & Tower Hamlets: Tuesday 14th January, 10:30-1:30 at Gascoyne 2 Community Centre, 2A Wick Road, E9 5AY
Southwark: Thursday 23rd January, 10:30-1:30 at Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha St, Peckham, SE15 4NX
Resources and other CPD
NATECLA In-House Training
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.
Some of the advantages of being a member of IATEFL include:
Keep up to date with all that's new in your profession interactionally.
Build your network of colleagues from around the world, sharing your ideas and your challenges.
Attend regular webinars on a wide range of topics.
Search their archive of recorded webinars, articles and publications
Get discounted prices on a range of publications and resources.
Benefit from member prices to attend the annual IATEFL International Conference and Exhibition.
Apply for a range of IATEFL scholarships only available to members.
How to join with the discounted price:
Write to info@natecla.org.uk to ask for the discount code.
Go to IATEFL website.
Introduce the code.
Complete the form.
Members can also find the file with the discount code here.
IATEFL Edinburgh 2025
Bookings for the IATEFL 2025 Conference are now open! This years' conference and exhibition will take place in Edinburgh.
Date: Tuesday 8 April to Friday 11 April 2025, with Pre-Conference Events on Monday 7 April
Location: EICC in Edinburgh
IATEFL’s ESOL SIG Day
Don’t miss the 2025 IATEFL Pre-Conference Event on ESOL, hosted by the ESOL and Inclusive Practices & SEN Special Interest Groups.
Title: Negotiating Inclusivity: Strategies for Fostering Global Citizens,
Date: Monday 7 April.
Location: EICC in Edinburgh
The event will explore innovative strategies for creating inclusive ESOL/EFL classrooms that help students thrive in a globalized world.
Free IELTS for refugees
A new agreement signed by Cambridge and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will enable refugees to take IELTS tests for free.
**New section**
Resource of the month
The English Hub for Refugees provides some very ESOL-friendly worksheets at A1 to B1 level. As recommended by one of our members:
“I love the A1 and A2 materials. Nice simple images, lots of introductory vocab and simple audio files. I turn to it often to start a new topic. There are also flash cards to print but I mostly use the student workbook. ”
ESOL Research Community- Beyond ESOL: Exploring the relevance and application of current literature to the UK ESOL context
Name: Beyond ESOL: Exploring the relevance and application of current literature to the UK ESOL context
Date: Thursday 16th January 2025
Time: 16:00- 17:30
Location: Online via Teams
The ESOL Research Community is pleased to host a presentation by Dr Steve Brown from the University of Glasgow. Using an adult ESOL lens, Steve will explore the relevance of five recently published books on the inclusion of social and political issues in language education. This will be followed by breakout room discussions on the topics raised.
ESOL Volunteer Working Group
Thank you to everyone who has already completed our short survey or expressed interest in joining NATECLA’s new Volunteer ESOL Working Group. If you haven’t had the chance yet, there’s still time to do it here!
The Volunteer ESOL Working Group want to be representative of the sector and you don't need to be a member of NATECLA to join the group. You can express your interest in joining through the survey or can contact Jenny at jennyroden88@gmail.com or Sharon at sharon.m.baker@outlook.com.
NATECLA set up and runs this forum and also provides a Resources for volunteer ESOL teachers page, which has recently been updated.
Other News
Targeted retention incentive payments for FE teachers
Eligible further education (FE) teachers can apply for the first round of targeted retention incentive payments until 31 March 2025. This doesn't apply to ESOL teacher but digital and ICT teachers and Maths teachers, as well as those delivering programs in other subject areas are eligible to apply. Grants are between £2000 and £6000 and the deadline for application is the end of March 2025.
Buy half price Our Lives readers
Ruth Hayman Trust are also selling "Our Lives" books (graded readers for ESOL learners based on true stories) at £1.50 a copy instead of £3 and all profits will go to their charity. So if you buy 10 books for £15, £30 will go to the Trust.
Please email ourlivespress@yahoo.co.uk to order reduced price books, rather than ordering via the website, which does not give the discount.