Events

Introducing our new series of online events - Spotlight on ...

Starting in May 2026, we'll be organising a series of thematic mini-events on a variety of topics. These events will be held on Zoom and will feature three expert speakers, sharing practical ideas to support you in the language classroom.

Each event will last three hours and is FREE for YLTSIG members.

Spotlight on ... Storytelling

17th May 2026 12–3 pm UK (GMT+1)

Stories have a special kind of power in the young learner classroom. They capture attention, bring language to life, and create moments that learners remember long after the lesson ends.

In this Spotlight webinar, three experienced speakers share their favourite approaches to storytelling with young learners. Across three practical talks, you'll explore a range of ideas you can take straight into your next lesson, from choosing the right story and bringing it to life in the telling, to designing meaningful activities that extend the learning before, during and after the story.

Whether you're just beginning to explore storytelling or looking to refresh your existing practice, you'll come away with new techniques, fresh inspiration, and a toolkit of classroom-ready ideas.

What to expect:

Three 45-minute practical talks from three different speakers
Ideas and activities you can use immediately with your learners
A chance to ask questions and share ideas with teachers from around the world
A recording available afterwards for all registered attendees

This event is perfect for teachers of young learners in any context who want to make stories a more powerful part of their teaching.

Pricing:

YLTSIG members - FREE

IATEFL members - £5.00

NON members - £10.00

Programme:

12:00-12:50

Every teacher a storyteller with Michael Lacey Freeman

When we use stories in the classroom, we usually turn to texts written by others, resources that are chosen and brought in from the outside. But what makes a story truly effective for language learners? And what if, instead, teachers could write their own stories for their students?

The advantages are clear. Teachers know their students, their interests, their level. They know what engages them. Writing tailored stories allows teachers to create meaningful, relevant content that speaks directly to the learners. At the same time, students benefit while reading. The increased exposure to languages leads to improved fluency, vocabulary acquisition and reading also has a knock-on effect on the other language skills.

This session explores how teachers can begin writing their own stories. It draws on experience from the GRANT project in Thailand, where teachers were guided through practical workshops to develop their own storytelling skills. By reflecting on this process, the session will highlight the key elements of effective storytelling and provide practical tips on how to get started.

13:00-13:50

Humanizing learners through picture books in the ELT classroom with Maria Stefanidou

Storytelling has always been a great way to educate and inspire people, and picture books constitute a visual storytelling adventure, where images and words come together to convey powerful messages and teach moral lessons. This session explores how picture books can be used in the ELT classroom not only to develop language skills, but also to foster empathy, emotional engagement, and critical thinking. The session is interactive, offering participants the chance to experience a read-aloud story and reflect on its impact from the learner’s perspective. Teachers will explore practical strategies and ideas for pre-, while-, and post-reading activities that promote meaningful interaction, discussion, and personal connection. By the end of the webinar, the participants will leave with a bank of ideas and confidence in using picture books as tools to make language learning engaging, memorable, and most importantly, human-centered.

14:00-14:50

Boosting speaking and writing with stories in YLE with Barbara Galván and Analía Ferraro

Stories are powerful vehicles for language development with young learners. This hands-on session explores how story-based strategies help children become more confident, proactive users of language, particularly in speaking and writing. Participants will discover how carefully selected stories provide rich, comprehensible input that can be transformed into pushed output through anchoring techniques, guided memory recall, and collaborative story reconstruction. Strategies such as backward building and visual scaffolding allow learners to internalize and reuse language in playful yet purposeful ways, while narrative elements including character, setting, conflict, and resolution deepen comprehension and structure production in engaging, age-appropriate ways. The session also addresses how to adapt stories to balance accessibility with imaginative potential, creating space for spontaneous language use while ensuring linguistic support. Activities emphasize natural acquisition through visual cues, repetition, and gradual release of responsibility, moving students from guided participation to independent expression. Participants will leave with adaptable techniques and ready-to-use ideas to turn storytime into a launchpad for creative communication.

Spotlight on ... Very Young Learners

12th June 2026 12–3 pm UK time (GMT+1)

Teaching Very Young Learners is one of the most rewarding – and most demanding – areas of ELT. Our youngest learners are curious, playful and full of energy, but they also need meaningful lessons with a clear pedagogy behind it.

In this Spotlight webinar, three speakers come together to share practical, classroom-tested ideas for teaching children in the early years. Across three talks, you'll pick up a wide range of activities, techniques and tips for planning engaging lessons, managing the VYL classroom, and supporting early language development in ways that feel natural and fun for the children.

Whether you're new to teaching this age group or an experienced VYL teacher looking for fresh ideas, you'll leave with a wealth of inspiration and activities you can try straight away.

What to expect:

Three 45-minute practical talks from three different speakers

A chance to connect with other teachers working with young children

A recording available afterwards for all registered attendees

This event is ideal for anyone teaching English to pre-primary and early primary learners, whether in nurseries, mainstream schools, language schools, or at home.

More details to follow.

2026 Pre-conference event

20th April 2026 10–5 pm UK

Our 2006 PCE, YLT Inclusivity Bootcamp, jointly organised by the IP&SEN SIG and the YLT SIG, focuses on developing inclusive and supportive practices in classrooms for young learners and teens. It aims to explore how teachers can create environments that encourage confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging among all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Each session offers insights into a different aspect of inclusivity, exploring areas such as supporting learners with dyslexia, building self-esteem and emotional well-being, and addressing the challenges and barriers to effective differentiation. The bootcamp provides a space for reflection, collaboration, and inspiration. By examining both challenges and successes, participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, exchange experiences, and discover practical ways in which inclusive teaching practices can help every learner reach their full potential.

Speakers

Boelo Van der Pool

With 30 years experience in language education, Boelo is a neurodiversity teacher trainer who helps language teachers and schools around the world in understanding, recognizing and accommodating neurodiverse students. He's a board member of the European Dyslexia Group as well as the International Language Coaching Association.

A tale of teens, dyslexia and self-esteem

Abstract: According to a 2019 BBC article, 80% of dyslexic students don't know it. One thing I learned from almost 10 years working with dyslexic teens is that the first thing any teacher needs to focus on is their self-esteem. In this talk we will look at the what, the why and, most of all, the how.

Agnieszka Dzięcioł-Pędich

Dr Agnieszka Dzięcioł-Pędich has been teaching English for 20 years at various levels of education. She currently works at the University of Białystok, Poland. She is also a member of IP SEN SIG - a special interest group (Inclusive Practices and Special Educational Needs) – part of IATEFL (the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). Her research interests lie in inclusive practices in education, resilience for teachers and English for specific purposes.

Picture Books About Emotions in Kindergarten Language Classrooms

Abstract: In my talk, I will explore the use of picture books about emotions in kindergarten English classrooms. I will discuss the theoretical foundations, share practical strategies for read-alouds, and highlight the benefits for emotional understanding, empathy, and language development. I will also provide recommendations on book selection, preparation, translation, and ways to engage young learners while fostering emotional regulation and
literacy skills.

Michelle Worgan

Michelle is a freelance author, teacher and trainer in Spain. She specialises in learner-centred approaches for young learners and runs a teacher development programme in inquiry-based learning for ELT teachers. Michelle is currently joint events coordinator for the IATEFL Young Learners & Teenagers SIG.

No more tears! Emotional regulation in the inclusive YL classroom

Abstract: Do you ever find yourself faced with tears, angry outbursts or petty violence in the classroom? In this practical session we'll explore how to support our young learners and teens with emotional regulation, and we'll discover strategies for lowering the overwhelm for highly sensitive, shy, introverted and neurodivergent learners.

Rachael Harris

Rachael Harris is a SEN coordinator in a bilingual primary school, she also teaches ELT, literature, CLIL and media studies to students aged between 4 and 18. She has published material on inclusion and learning strategies. She is a life-long learner, passionate about learning theory, connection and belonging.

Giving your learners a D.O.S.E. of learning

Abstract: Do you know about the essential roles of DOPAMINE
OCYTOCINE
SEROTONIN
ENDORPHINES in learning?

Well by the end of this workshop you will! We will discover together the problems caused by imbalances in these hormones and their effects on learning, along with plenty of suggestions for how to fit a daily D.O.S.E. into your lessons. This will give your learners not only the key to succeeding
in your class, but also in their future learning journey –which we hope will be their entire life!

Anette Igel

Anette Igel is an experienced EFL teacher, teacher trainer, and SEN coordinator based in Hamburg, Germany. She has over two decades of experience working in primary and secondary education, specializing in inclusive practices and special educational needs. Anette holds the Trinity DipTESOL and a Master’s degree focused on inclusion and education. She is known for her practical approach to teacher training, integrating intercultural communication and digital tools to support diverse learners. Anette collaborates internationally with organisations like International House and Goldenmile learning, contributing to the development of innovative and inclusive language teaching methodologies and is a published author of teacher resource books.

Breaking through the barriers of differentiation

Abstract: In this workshop we will look at standard differentiation approaches and their effects in mixed-ability primary EFL classrooms. We will explore how traditional methods, while well-meaning, can unintentionally widen learning gaps or limit opportunities. Participants will discover adaptable strategies such as dynamic grouping, responsive task design, and real-time adjustments that address students’ diverse needs. Practical activities—from flexible rotations to scaffolded speaking tasks—demonstrate how responsive, student-driven planning can create more inclusive, engaging lessons without excessive preparation.

The Bootcamp Lab - wrapping up the day with practice!

The speakers have prepared some fab activities to help you put what you've learned throughout the day into practice!

Click here to view the programme

Registration

Book to attend online: Event details – IATEFL

Attend in person in Brighton: Event details – IATEFL

2026 Web Conference - Information TBC

30th October - 1st November 2026 11–6 pm UK

Teaching young learners has never been more rewarding – or more complex. From keeping students engaged in a world of distractions to managing diverse classrooms with limited resources, today’s educators face unique pressures.

[Description of event - coming soon]

Registration

This online event is free for all. You can register to attend here (link to be provided)

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