ESOL NI E-zine – Winter Edition 2026 (January News & Updates)
Visit our website: ESOL NI
Here is the new ‘ESOL NI translated searching instructions’ PDF poster:
The poster above has been translated into 7 different languages:
- ESOL NI poster_Amharic
- ESOL NI poster_Arabic
- ESOL NI poster_Farsi
- ESOL NI poster_Somali
- ESOL NI poster_Tigrinya
- ESOL NI poster_Ukrainian
Feel free to print and share the information.
Section One: FE Colleges – News and Updates
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ESOL for Transitions is Belfast Met’s intensive programme
for Asylum Seeker learners with embedded enrichment activities which will help young students integrate into college life and gain new skills. Its holistic, innovative and flexible approach enables people to study ESOL Skills for Life, but also gain qualifications in Maths, digital and personal development skills to become strong and resilient young citizens and fulfil their potential.
The face-to-face tutoring sessions alongside online learning complementary cover different range of workshops and offer support to all young people. The dedicated pastoral support and guidance framework attached to this programme places empowerment and wellbeing in the heart of the curriculum offer to make sure all students are supported through their learning journey. The core aim of the course is to help young people gain qualifications and progress onto next steps of higher level ESOL courses, academic or vocational mainstream pathways.
Apply today via Belfast Met’s website link below, or scan the QR code on the poster above:
ESOL – Transitions | P00551-AA | Course | Belfast Met
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Belfast Met Hardship Fund 25/26 Open for Applications
For further information, deadlines, and application guidance & criteria:
Please see these important T&Cs: Learner Support(Hardship) Fund Guidance and Terms & Conditions 25-26
Link to application: The Learner Support (Hardship) Fund 2025/26 has re-opened for new applicants in Term 2
Northern Regional College is organising an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) event – Friday 20th February at Northern Regional College, Causeway Campus
This is a free event aimed at teachers, managers, volunteers and anyone else involved in the delivery of ESOL.
The event will run from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, with contributing speakers from the Education Authority, Ulster University, Northern Regional College staff and former students; it will also offer the opportunity to network and share ideas with other practitioners. Tea/coffee and scones available to attendees.
Please register today via registration link below or use the QR code displayed on the event flyer:
Contact Lisa McAuley @ Lisa.McAuley@nrc.ac.uk if you have any queries.
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Belfast Met lecturer Anna Maria Arwanitaki, winner of the ‘Educator Award’ at the ‘Ascentis’ 50th Anniversary Lifetime Learning Awards!
The awards recognise individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to inspire and empower learners.
Anna Maria is an exceptionally deserving recipient, always placing ESOL learners at the heart of everything she does and continually striving to create the best possible learning experience at Belfast Met.
She extends her heartfelt thanks to the wonderful colleagues who nominated her, saying they are “excellent professionals, great team players and a joy to work with.”
In her own words:
“I am very grateful for this award, and I accept it on behalf of all my ESOL colleagues at Belfast Metropolitan College. Without their collaboration and support, I would not have achieved this.”
A huge well done to Anna Maria, an excellent teacher, colleague and very deserving winner!
Section Two: Community News and Updates
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January 2026 – List of ESOL classes across NI divided by postcode!
List of ESOL community initiatives (CLICK: ESOL classes – January 2026 revised) kindly compiled and shared by community volunteers, Angela and Johanne.
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Community Connections (PEACEPLUS) Programme is delivering activities across Belfast
GEMS NI would like to introduce our project team and partnership to you and the people you support. Please see our 1st Project Newsletter which provides more information about our team and our project.
During the project lifetime we will be working with diverse communities to develop their leadership skills and capacity, we will train facilitators with lived experience, and we will work with volunteers from local communities to engage, gain new skills, and provide support at events and activities to encourage community integration.
To find out more please contact stephen.atkinson@gemsni.org.uk and keep an eye on GEMS NI social media accounts for updates on project delivery activities.
See the Community Connections 1st Newsletter (CLICK for PDF document) for further information.
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INSPIRE NOW! 2.0 — NI Youth Annual Conference 2026, taking place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at The Great Hall, Queen’s University Belfast
Registration Link: https://events.humanitix.com/inspire-now-2-0-ni-youth-annual-conference-2026
The conference is being held during the mid-term break, making it easier for young people, students, and youth leaders to take part without academic timetable pressures. The programme will include youth-led discussions, leadership reflections, workshops, and shared learning spaces focused on inclusion, empowerment, good relations, and opportunities for young people across Northern Ireland.
Doors will open from 9.30 am, with registration and arrival activities taking place before the conference formally begins.
An exciting lineup of speakers, youth contributors, creative performances, workshops, and panel discussions will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the full event itinerary and session timings. We encourage everyone to please stay tuned to their email updates and our social media channels for further announcements.
Section Three: ESOL Sector – Updates and Opportunities
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Rachel Oner has scheduled another course in Teaching Pre-entry and Low-level Literacy ESOL learners
The successful course has now been extended to 4 weeks on the feedback of previous participants and includes more content, practical activities and discussion time. This is a practical blended asynchronous course of around 14 hours (4 x 2-hour live online sessions and independent study in between). The course is aimed at new and experienced ESOL teachers. To gain a certificate, participants are expected to complete tasks, reflections and are encouraged to share with peers. Participants will come away with original resources and links to many teaching, learning and assessment materials.
The course contents include:
- The effects on learning if you are pre-entry,
- A supportive classroom environment.
- Teaching listening and speaking skills,
- Supporting reading and writing skills with a number of teaching approaches.
- Examining the sub-skills of reading and writing.
- The staging of low-level lessons,
- Trauma and its effect on learning.
- Practical, authentic resources and signposting to existing free resources.
- Mixed level classes, adaptive teaching and spaced learning.
- Digital skills for the low-level classroom.
- Teaching pronunciation.
If you have any members of your team that would like to attend this course, please follow this booking link: https://www.onerconsultancy.co.uk/book-online or contact me for invoicing.
Course is suitable to new teachers and ESOL volunteers – Cost £110
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NATECLA January 2026 Update
NATECLA UK Winter Webinar Programme, sponsored by ‘Ascentis’. The programme brings together a range of engaging and practical sessions, and we look forward to continuing to welcome you over the coming weeks. Full details and booking information are available via link to the NATECLA’s website below.
Monthly Update January 2026 — NATECLA.
NATECLA’s Annual Conference 2026 website is now live, along with the ticket booking platform. You can explore the programme outline, venue information and key dates online, with more updates coming soon, including the full workshop line-up.
If you have any queries, get in touch with us by emailing info@natecla.org.uk or calling 07443 601 298.
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The Coalition for Language Education announced their event entitled “Going local in language education: Cities as sites for cross-sectoral connection.
– Saturday 28th March (11:00-17:00) at UCL, East London – limited spaces available.
You can read all about the 2026 event HERE and also register to attend. The event is only in-person and is free of charge.
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Tips and and updates on ESOL resources by TOM 😊
See below some useful links to ESOL resources compiled and shared by Tom LeSeeleur (SERC’s ESOL teacher and coordinator).
– Here is a useful list of ESOL resources ESOL Digital Pathways is the best home-grown resource (SRC’s programme – funded by the Department for the Economy)
https://www.bridgesproject.online/the-learning-environment/language-skills – for Pre-entry.
https://www.esoldigitalpathways.org/ – Entry 1 to Level 2
– Rachel Oner has produced an excellent set of links
https://padlet.com/ChloeFibonacci/useful-websites-for-esol-teaching-sww6pco26uhz86h4
– And another great source of ESOL resources /link – https://lassn.org.uk/teaching-resources/esol-websites/
– Express Publishing Summit 2026 – https://www.expresspublishing.co.uk/en/ep-summit-2026
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