“Literacy works: writing to think and learn” is the theme of the English Association’s 4-11 conference for primary teachers being held at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, June 19. Key speaker is David Almond, author of Skellig and The Fire-Eaters. Fee: pound;65; subscribers pound;50 (includes lunch).

Tel: 0116 252 3982 www.le.ac.ukengassocconfs411.html

Courses run by the National Association for the Teaching of English include: “Boys Can! Practical approaches to raise the achievement of boys in English”, Sheffield, June 30; and “Raising standards in English through drama KS3 and 4”, Birmingham, June 10. Key speaker: Jonothan Neelands, senior lecturer in drama and theatre education, on the human importance of story and drama. Fee per course: pound;135; members pound;110. Also available are half-day workshops on “Liberating language: ICT and English (KS2-4)”, in Halifax, July 13, and Basingstoke, July 15. Topics will include: using text-mapping to investigate literary texts; patterns and templates for poetry; the purposeful use of PowerPoint; desequencing and “immersing” as an investigative tool.

Fee: pound;85; members pound;65 .

Tel: 0114 255 5419 www.nate.org.ukevents.html

“Teaching contemporary British fiction: 1970 to the present” will be hosted by the department of English and linguistics at the University of Westminster on May 29, co-organised by the UK Network for Modern Fiction Studies for teachers, academics and writers. Fee: pound;15; students unwaged pound;6. Dr Philip Tew (email: tewp@ukf.net) or Dr Leigh Wilson (email: wilsonl@westminster.ac.uk) Tel: 020 7911 5000 www.le.ac.ukengassocTBCF.htm

“Literacy lives: learning literacy in and out of the classroom” is the theme of the UK Literacy Association’s annual conference being held at Manchester University, July 9-11. It will explore the literacy experiences of children, young people and adults in and out of school. Speakers include: James Paul Gee, University of Wisconsin; Henrietta Dombey, Brighton University; Jackie Kay, author and poet; and Geraldine McCaughrean, children’s author. It will be preceded on July 8 by a research day on the assessment of literacy. UKLA, Upton House, Baldock Street, Royston, Herts SG8 5AY Email: admin@ukla.org

An “Emagazine conference” will be held for teachers of A-level literature and language at the English and Media Centre, 18 Compton Terrace, London N1, May 22. Speakers include: John Mullan, University College London lecturer and Guardian columnist, on anonymity in literature; and Professor Ron Carter, Nottingham University, on language and everyday English.

Workshops include: Shakespeare’s tragedies; teaching the language of literature; using art, music and photography in A-level English; practical approaches to modern drama. Fee: pound;70; emagazine subscribers pound;40.

Tel: 020 7359 8080http:emagazine.org.ukEmail: guido@englishandmedia.co.uk