NATESOL Conference
Saturday 19th May 2018
9am – 5pm
ManchesterMetropolitanUniversity
Birley Fields Campus, BrooksBuilding
‘Diversity with Inclusivity: Special Educational Needs, Disability and the Second Language Learner’
Call for Papers
The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice of 2015 makes it clear, as have previous versions, that all schools and colleges in England must by law fulfil their statutory duties with regard to children and young people (up to the age of 25) with special educational needs or disabilities and it provides detailed guidance for doing so. A key principle that underpins the Code is that appropriate provision for SEND learners is the responsibility of all staff, regardless of their subject specialism. It could be argued that this requirement presents a particular and very specific challenge to teachers of learners who are operating in a second or additional language.
While there is a wide range of needs and disabilities which teachers may encounter, some affect successful second language learning more than others. Physical disabilities such as visual or hearing impairment will clearly have an impact on the communication process and therefore on language learning, as will social communication disorders such as autism and Asperger syndrome. There is currently considerable interest in investigating the effect of dyslexia on second language acquisition, particularly, of course, in relation to the development of skills in literacy.
We invite papers for our Conference this year on any aspect of SEND as it relates to second language learners. We are especially interested in the concept of inclusive practice, and how materials and strategies might be developed which recognise the diversity that exists in any classroom and how valuing that diversity might enhance the learning experience of all students.
If you would like to make a proposal, please complete the attached form and return it to NATESOL Chair Mike Beaumont at
copied, please, to Keith Gould at
You can find information about previous conference presentations and our Guidelines for Speakers at
Note: You will have 40 minutes to make your presentation, and we expect it will run in parallel to at least one other session.
The deadline for the submission ofproposals is:
Thursday, April 5th 2018
We will do our best to let people know whether their proposal has been accepted by Monday 19th April at the latest.
We look forward very much to hearing from you.
The NATESOL Committee
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