The NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults) 2025 Conference was an inspiring event for ESOL practitioners and educators across the UK.
Among the many highlights was a workshop delivered by our ESOL manager, Elena, focusing on ESOL in the workplace.
In the session, Elena talked about LEAH’s innovative work in supporting employees at a local seafood factory and Heathrow airport with tailored English language lessons. This was a 3 year project, funded by the Trust for London.
The workshop also introduced a practical toolkit, and a collection of schemes of work and lesson plans designed to help other organisations develop and deliver their own workplace ESOL programmes.
Elena said:
“It was amazing to see how much interest there is in workplace ESOL. Our goal was to create something practical, adaptable, and easy to use, and seeing people so keen to take it forward was incredibly rewarding.”
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Participants from colleges, charities, and local councils expressed enthusiasm about adapting the toolkit for their own learners, recognising its potential to address language barriers in employment settings.
You can access the toolkit here: LEAH (Learn English at Home) – ESOL In Workplaces
Beyond the workshop, the conference provided valuable opportunities to network with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and explore new approaches to ESOL delivery. The shared commitment to learner empowerment and inclusive education was evident throughout the conference.
Overall, the NATECLA Conference 2025 served as a vibrant platform for collaboration and innovation in the ESOL field.
LEAH’s contribution added a meaningful perspective on supporting language learners in the workplace, and the resources shared are set to make a lasting impact.
More details about the conference, including LEAH’s presentation can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/natecla25/during-the-conference/programme-workshops