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We are delighted to bring delegates two plenary events to our 2026 Annual Conference:
We are delighted to bring delegates two plenary events to our 2026 Annual Conference:
On Friday 26th June from 13:15 -14:15
On Friday 26th June from 13:15 -14:15
Transforming Lives Through ESOL: Learner Perspectives
On Saturday 27th June from 09:00 to 10:00
On Saturday 27th June from 09:00 to 10:00
Jon Hird on "Bringing Spoken Grammar into the ESOL Classroom"
Friday 26th June 2026, from 13:15 - 14:15
Friday 26th June 2026, from 13:15 - 14:15
Transforming Lives Through ESOL: Learner Perspectives
This keynote talk is kindly sponsored by:
A plenary talk by Axel Heussi, Aster Haile, Akram Elsir Elmisbah and Zee Cassoneca
About the talk
The opening plenary focuses on celebrating success stories of ESOL learners. We hope that the session can counteract the recent negativity in the press and media and highlight the importance of ESOL classes, the difference they make in our learners' lives and within the wider society.
We will hear from three speakers about their ESOL journeys, the challenges and successes they experienced along the way, as well as their current situation and future plans and hopes. Following this, the audience will have a chance to engage further with the speakers through a Q&A session.
About the speakers:
Axel Heussi is from Cameroon, he arrived in Birmingham in 2022 with the Cameroon Weightlifting Team as a coach for the Commonwealth Games. After successful games, he made a difficult decision to stay and seek asylum, knowing no-one in Birmingham, leaving his family, friends and team-mates behind. With French as his main language, he knew he had to improve his English to gain qualifications and start a new life in the UK. While in temporary accommodation, he found "St Chad's Sanctuary" charity where he started learning English and began volunteering. Then he found Brasshouse, where he felt at home. He joined ESOL class there and continues to study at Brasshouse, where he was awarded an Outstanding Learner Award 2024. He is now following his dream to become a physiotherapist or a nurse.
Aster Haile is from Eritrea. She came to the UK in November 2013. She has three children, all born here in the UK. She started learning English when her children were very young in a charity English class and later went to college. She studied maths, English and beauty therapy and has recently started working as a massage therapist.
Akram Elsir Elmisbah is originally from Sudan. He is a qualified Graphic Designer holding a bachelor’s degree in fine and applied arts in Graphic Design. Akram is married to an architect and the father of three girls. He came to the United Kingdom nine years ago with very little spoken English. He started learning English through ESOL classes at St. Chad’s Sanctuary and at Birmingham Matthew Boulton College. He then continued his studies in higher education, obtaining another degree in Graphic Communication, followed by a master's degree. Now, Akram is looking for a full-time job as a junior graphic designer.
Zee Cassoneca, Head of Education, Skills and Work. Born in Angola, raised in Portugal, and now based in Norwich, Zee has over 20 years’ experience in UK adult, government-funded education. Beginning his career as an IT and ESOL teacher, he progressed to lead a successful digital apprenticeship programme across Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. He later moved into prison education, managing provision at HMP Norwich, and is now piloting a new national role as Head of Education, Skills and Work for the Ministry of Justice.
During his time as Education Manager, Zee championed innovative initiatives such as the Lullaby Project, delivered in partnership with the Irene Taylor Trust. Through this work, he witnessed the powerful impact of education and creative programmes in transforming lives—helping individuals in custody to build confidence, strengthen family connections, and develop resilience, purpose, and hope for the future.
Zee is now focused on reducing reoffending by supporting prisoners to rebuild their lives, rediscover purpose, and successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Saturday 27th June 2026, from 09:00 - 10:00am
Saturday 27th June 2026, from 09:00 - 10:00am
Bringing Spoken Grammar into the ESOL Classroom
Bringing Spoken Grammar into the ESOL Classroom
This keynote talk is kindly sponsored by:
A plenary talk by Jon Hird
A plenary talk by Jon Hird
About the talk
The natural grammar of spoken, and particularly everyday conversational and workplace, English is in a number of ways very different from much of the grammar that published ELT/ESOL material covers and that learners are generally taught. While it has increasingly been the subject of (largely corpus-based) research, and while it is the kind of language that many of our learners will likely be exposed to and benefit from producing, spoken grammar hasn’t yet become part a routine part of our everyday teaching syllabuses. Through the brief analysis of an authentic dialogue, this practical session looks at some key (and teachable) features of spoken grammar and explores how we can actually incorporate this into our teaching to help our learners better understand and use it. The session will draw in part on ideas presented in the speaker’s recent Pavilion ELT publication ‘Spoken Grammar’.
About Jon Hird
Jon Hird is a teacher, teacher trainer and ELT materials writer based in Oxford, UK. He is a departmental tutor at the University of Oxford, where he teaches courses in grammar, pronunciation, EAP and professional English, and frequently gives talks and workshops in the UK and overseas. He has over the last 25 years written and contributed to a number of ELT publications for a range of ELT publishers, including grammar, course book and other resource material as well as material for learners with dyslexia. His latest book, Spoken Grammar, was published by Pavilion ELT in 2025.
Saturday 27th June 2026, from 16.30- 17.00
Saturday 27th June 2026, from 16.30- 17.00
Beyond Language: What Success in ESOL Really Looks Like
Beyond Language: What Success in ESOL Really Looks Like
End of the conference plenary
This plenary will create space to reflect on the wider impact of ESOL on learners’ lives, looking beyond language acquisition to the difference it can make in terms of confidence, connection, achievement and future opportunity. Through shared practice, professional reflection and positive stories from across the sector, delegates will be invited to consider what success in ESOL really looks like, and what we need to protect, strengthen, stop and start in order to support learners well. Thoughtful and forward-looking, the session aims to close the conference with a sense of recognition, shared purpose and renewed energy.
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