Iatefl IP&SEN SIG

📢 Scholarship applications for in Birmingham are now open! Go to www.iatefl.org/scholarships to find out more about all of the conference scholarships on offer.

💡 Did you know?
IATEFL members have access to additional scholarships not available publicly, so now's a great time to join: www.iatefl.org/membership/

A big thank you to our scholarship sponsors for giving teachers, trainers and other ELT professionals the chance to attend the IATEFL International Conference.

📅 Applications will close at 4pm (UK time) on Wednesday 17 June 2026.

Skyline Room energy, still with us ✨

Wednesady’s IATEFL IPSEN SIG Showcase was everything we hoped for: deep conversations, challenged assumptions, real connection.

Huge gratitude to our speakers for leading us forward:
Anne Margaret Smith
Jessica Mackay
Giovanni Licata
Rose Aylett
Elizabeth Coleman
Ayşen Cem Değer
Thorsten Merse

And to our community — thank you for showing up, speaking up, and reminding us why this work matters! @ IPSEN SIG, we belong.

Until next time 💛


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What an incredible day of learning and connection at the 2026 IATEFL IPSEN SIG Showcase day!

We are absolutely buzzing after a full day of deep, vital conversations in the Skyline Room in Brighton. Today was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their expertise and challenging us to think deeper about inclusive pedagogy and practice:

Anne Margaret Smith on neurodivergent learners.

Jessica Mackay on gender bias in ELT.

Giovanni Licata on classrooms as communities of practice.

Rose Aylett on the power of teachers’ stories.

Elizabeth Coleman on q***r representation in the classroom.

Ayşen Cem Değer on supporting third-age learners.

Thorsten Merse on navigating q***r and empirical coursebook research.

A massive thank you to everyone who attended, engaged, and contributed to these meaningful discussions. Today reinforced that with the IPSEN SIG community, we truly belong.

See you at the next one!

The 2026 IATEFL IPSEN SIG Showcase is in full effect! The energy in Brighton’s Skyline Room is electric today, April 22nd, as the IATEFL Inclusive Practices and SEN (IPSEN) SIG Showcase brings together a passionate community of educators.

Today’s Inspiring Lineup
Attendees are currently engaging with an incredible array of experts who are challenging the status quo and offering actionable insights for a more equitable future. Here is the program that has the room buzzing:

🎙️Anne Margaret Smith: What your Autistic language learners would like you to know

🎙️Jessica Mackay: Gender bias in ELT: implications for managers, teachers and learners

🎙️Giovanni Licata: The Greatest Mysteries in Physics—And What they Teach Us About Classrooms as communities of practice

🎙️Rose Aylett: The power of teachers’ stories: human libraries in EFL teacher training and development

🎙️Elizabeth Coleman: Absent referents: Qu**rs (not) in class

🎙️Ayşen Cem Değer: Supporting third agers in developing learning strategies to tackle age-related challenges

🎙️Thorsten Merse: Navigating the tightrope walk labyrinth of q***r and empirical coursebook research

Why Our Work Matters
Today’s sessions in the Skyline Room are bridging the gap between academic research and classroom practice. These conversations are a practical commitment to meeting the diverse needs of learners everywhere. By navigating the "tightrope walks" of modern pedagogy, the IPSEN SIG Showcase provides teachers with the essential tools to foster a truly supportive environment. Ultimately, we are here to ensure that every student is included, because with IPSEN SIG, you belong.

Live from the Skyline Room: The 2026 IATEFL IPSEN SIG Showcase and the 10th Anniversary Open Forum.🥳

The energy is palpable today, Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, as the Skyline Room in Brighton plays host to one of the most anticipated events in the ELT calendar. The IATEFL Inclusive Practices and SEN (IPSEN) SIG Open Forum is officially in full swing, bringing together a dedicated community of practitioners committed to the essential work of fostering inclusivity in the classroom.

The conversations happening in Brighton today aren't just theoretical; they are a direct response to the diverse needs of learners globally. By addressing these "absent referents" and navigating the "tightrope walks" of modern research, the IPSEN SIG Showcase is providing the tools teachers need to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and supported.

As the day continues, the sentiment remains clear: With IPSEN SIG, you belong.

🥳 10 Years of IPSEN SIG! Join the Celebration! 🥳

Today is the day! We are celebrating a huge milestone: 10 years of advocacy, community, and inclusive practice within the IATEFL family.

We invite you to join us in the Skyline Room for our special 10th Anniversary Open Forum. It’s a chance to reflect on our journey together and connect with fellow practitioners who share our passion for inclusive education.

🎲 Bonus: We’ll be hosting Neurodiversity Bingo—come play for a chance to win some amazing prizes!

📅 When: Today, 22nd April
⏰ Time: 11:20 - 11:55
📍 Where: Skyline Room

Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are brand new to the community, we want to see you there.

Come along with IPSEN SIG, you belong! 💙