Adult Learning Wales (ALW) is pleased to announce that our National ESOL Coordinator, Saffa Bellis, has been recently appointed Chair of the NATECLA_CYMRU branch. This appointment comes on the back of the successful NATECLA 25 Conference in Birmingham, where staff members from ALW’s ESOL team, alongside Saffa, showcased their commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.

The conference held at the end of June, which brought together ESOL professionals from across the UK, proved to be an inspiring few days for the ALW team. The event was a chance to connect with peers, share best practices, and explore innovative ideas for supporting English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. The ALW delegation included Saffa Bellis, Galiya Idrisova, Christina Roy, Sandra Warner, and Rebecca Latcovitch.

At the annual conference, Saffa was introduced to Zaina Aljumma, a Sanctuary Ambassadors coordinator, a member of ALW’s Learner Experience Committee and former co-chair of NATECLA_CYMRU. The meeting with Zaina was a key step in helping to initiate ALW’s journey towards becoming a College of Sanctuary, an initiative committed to providing support and education to people seeking sanctuary and contributing to a culture of welcome within their local community.

On initiating the College of Sanctuary application and on the team’s visit to the NATECLA 25 Conference, ALW’s Curriculum Manager, Michelle Kerswell, said:

“Adult Learning Wales is delighted to be working in partnership with our City of Sanctuary colleagues and looks forward to progressing our application to become a College of Sanctuary. As a value-based organisation, with learners at the heart of what we do, we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, equity and inclusivity by creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

“We’re extremely fortunate to have a team of highly committed staff who are supporting our work in this area, and Saffa’s appointment to Chair of NATECLA Cymru is a much deserved one which will serve to strengthen our commitment to people seeking sanctuary.”

Saffa’s new role as Chair of the NATECLA_CYMRU branch is a testament to ALW’s growing commitment to supporting the ESOL sector within Wales. Saffa, who was sworn in as chair of the Welsh branch at the NATECLA 25 Conference, replaces co-chairs Zaina Aljumma and Melanie Clinton, who will take on other roles within NATECLA.

On her newly appointed role as Chair of the NATECLA_CYMRU branch, Saffa added:

“I’m feeling truly fortunate and honoured to step into the role of chair of NATECLA Cymru,  and to continue working closely with the former chairs, Zaina and Mel and the committee, who have all been the driving force in getting this group off the ground. I look forward to developing the group further by inviting both learners and practitioners from across Wales to join us in sharing expertise, listening to each other, developing ideas and supporting the creation of a truly bilingual curriculum that meets the needs of learners, celebrates and fosters all languages, bringing about the most effective and inclusive learning of ESOL and WSOL in Wales.”

NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults) is a leading professional organisation that advocates for more inclusive and accessible ESOL provision. The NATECLA_CYMRU Branch serves as a forum for educators and allies from further education, volunteer teaching, and community learning throughout Wales. The Branch is seeking additional members to join their committee, particularly from organisations representing Further Education, volunteer teaching, and adult and community learning across Wales.

If you would like to find out more about NATECLA_CYMRU, please contact Saffa Bellis via email nateclacymru@gmail.com

To find out more about ALW’s ESOL provision, read on from the link here https://www.adultlearning.wales/about/our-courses/esol/