“Much Ado About Twelfth Night”, a teachers’ course at The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon, April 30-May 1, will focus on Shakespeare’s Comedies with particular reference to Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. Participants will also see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Twelfth Night. Also planned is a sixth-form conference at Birkbeck College, University of London WC1, March 17, where lectures and seminars will include Professor Kiernan Ryan, Royal Holloway, University of London, on King Lear.

Tel: English Association, 0116 252 3982 www.le.ac.ukengassoc

The National Association for the Teaching of English’s (NATE) conference will be held at Weston Conference Centre, Manchester, February 4-6.

Speakers include Professor David Crystal, a world authority on language, and Tim Bowler, author of River Boy and Apocalypse. Workshops include exploring Shakespeare’s language (key stage 3-5); using short films in GCSE English; creative approaches to A-level; planning and teaching the novel (KS3); approaches to teaching GCSE poetry. There is also a Primary Matters conference at the Education Show, NEC Birmingham, March 19, for all education professionals concerned with KS12 literacy.

Tel: 0114 255 5419 www.nate.org.uk

Teachers’ workshops being held at NATE Sheffield include: “Developing cultural, linguistic and literary awareness in A-level English literature”, February 15; “Analysing written texts at A-level”, March 4; and “Real grammar”, March 14. Other courses include “Tracks in the Sand” at Whirlow Grange Conference Centre, March 11, which will introduce the new NATE drama packs and build on work with the KS3 strategy. It will show how study of thought-provoking films, novels and screenplays can develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and analysis. Workshop leaders include Paul Bunyan, NATE drama committee chair and curriculum adviser for Northamptonshire. Participants receive a copy of The Rabbit Proof Fence unit.

Tel: 0114 255 5419 Email: info@nate.org.uk

www.nate.org.uk

The London Association for the Teaching of English is holding a KS23 conference, January 29; a conference on the 14-19 curriculum, March 5; and a residential conference at Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham, July 15-17.

John Wilks, 20 Vanbrugh Hill, London SE3 7UF.

www.late.org.uk