National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE)

NCLE’s work is structured around three mutually reinforcing strands:

• Language Educators Online (LEO), the new free online professional learning platform for languages teachers.
• National Priority Projects (NPPs), designed to drive change by addressing regional needs through research-informed action on the ground.
• Language Networks, Strategic Learning Networks connecting schools in communities of practice. 

The NCLE is re-energising language education, developing teacher agency, and strengthening system leadership. By equipping teachers and school leaders at every stage of their career, NCLE supports schools in breaking down barriers and placing languages at the heart of opportunity for all pupils.

The NCLE is funded by the Department for Education and led by UCL Institute of Education in partnership with the British Council and the Goethe-Institut. 

Team

Chair of Board of Directors

• Professor Li Wei – IOE Director and Dean, Professor of Applied Linguistics

NCLE Director

• Bernardette Holmes MBE – Honorary Professor

Chair of NCLE Governance Board

• Professor Norbert Pachler – Professor of Education and Vice-Dean: Enterprise at UCL Institute of Education

Strategic Learning Networks & National Priority Projects

SLN/NPP Co-ordinator

• Lucy Wicks

Project Advisors

• Maud Waret
• Karen Hanrahan
• Clare Allison (Home, heritage and community languages officer)
• Dr Ann-Marie Hunter

CPD

CPD Co-ordinator

• Jérôme Nogues 

Language Educators Online Platform Consultant

• Ellis Parkman

Research and Innovation

Director of Research and Innovation

• Professor Zhu Hua – Professor of Language Learning and Intercultural Communication

Senior Research Fellow

• Dr Yunpeng Du

Operations and Professional Services

Performance Manager

• Mike Crook

Programme Administrator

• Zahra Dhalla-Bhimji
• Hannah O’Rourke

Communications

Communications Lead

• Philip Harding-Esch

British Council

Schools Adviser

• Vicky Gough

Senior Marketing Manager

• Emily Pelter

Marketing Manager

• Matt Butcher

Goethe-Institut London

Deputy Director and Head of Language Department Northwest Europe

• Andrea Pfeil