National Association for the Teaching of English

Inspired by Harold Rosen’s vision of English as ‘a different model of education’, the 2026 NATE Conference brought teachers together to explore the future of the subject through dialogue, creativity and community.

https://www.nate.org.uk/2026/07/09/nate-conference-2026-knowledge-to-be-made-not-given/

Living and learning, anti-perspirant, and being part of a wonderful community of practice.

Anthony Cockerill on the NATE Conference 2026, the latest issue of Teaching English and news and updates from NATE and our friends and partners.

Living and learning, anti-perspirant and being part of a wonderful community of practice NATE's Director Anthony Cockerill on the NATE Conference 2026, the new issue of Teaching English and our latest news and blog posts, plus some updates from our friends and partners.

We're delighted to announce more details about this year’s NATE Conference on Tuesday 7th July, held at the University of Manchester and sponsored by our friends at AQA. Find out more and book your ticket today!

https://www.nate.org.uk/2026/05/13/nate-conference-2026-sponsored-by-aqa/

Prompted by the cultural impact of Adolescence, Harmeet Matharu invited Year Eight students to explore masculinity through literature, history and debate — creating space for thoughtful, non-judgemental discussion.

From Shakespeare to the manosphere: teaching the theme of masculinity in Year Eight - NATE Prompted by the cultural impact of Adolescence, Harmeet Matharu invited Year Eight students to explore masculinity through literature, history and debate — creating space for thoughtful, non-judgemental discussion. March 2025 saw...

If students can decode words yet still miss meaning, the problem runs deeper than vocabulary. Eleanor Nicholls Steed argues that closing the reading gap needs a shift from word-by-word instruction to teaching students how to build meaning across texts.

Explicit vocabulary teaching won’t close the reading gap - NATE If students can decode every word yet still miss the meaning, the problem runs deeper than vocabulary. Drawing on classroom experience and research, Eleanor Nicholls Steed argues that closing the...

As we in the English teaching community begin what is clearly a period of change, NATE remains committed to supporting members — providing information and CPD, as well as space for dialogue, professional reflection and the thoughtful exchange of ideas about the future of our subject.

Conversations, challenges, and the future of English: thoughts on the beginning of a period of change from NATE Director Anthony Cockerill.

https://mailchi.mp/4280743e3234/conversations-and-challenges-13467633

Conversations, challenges, and the future of English NATE's Director Anthony Cockerill considers the changes that lie ahead of us in the English classroom.

Talk is vital in the English classroom. Reading thrives on sharing ideas and opinions. Through discussion, we model how readers make meaning, tackle challenges, infer, decode vocabulary and think critically. The latest issue of Teaching English — with contributions from Barbara Bleiman, James Durran and Jeffrey Boakye among many others — highlights why talk matters.

Ten books about English Language you should read

In light of forthcoming curriculum changes that could place greater emphasis on English Language, Caroline Godfrey explores ten influential titles for teachers keen to deepen their understanding of linguistics, recommended by NATE’s Language Working Group

Ten books about English Language you should read - National Association for the Teaching of English In light of forthcoming curriculum changes that could place greater emphasis on English Language, Caroline Godfrey explores ten influential titles for teachers keen to deepen their understanding of linguistics, recommended...

NATE and UKLA publish joint statements of principle in response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review

NATE and UKLA publish joint statements of principle in response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review - National Association for the Teaching of English Subject associations outline a vision for English education, emphasising meaning-making, cultural participation and intellectual ambition The National Association for the Teaching of English and the United Kingdom Literacy Association have...

With a Philip Leverhulme Prize, Ian Cushing is leading a three-year project on linguistic justice in schools. The research aims to drive systemic change, challenge deficit views of language, and build more just educational futures. tinyurl.com/4r3cys76