YL SIG – Young Learners Special Interest Group

IP&SEN - Inclusive Practices and Special Education Needs Special Interest Group

Empowering educators to embrace inclusive practices and support learners with special education needs through collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise.

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Young Learners SIG - About Us

About Inclusive IP&SEN SIG

The Inclusive Practices & SEN (IP&SEN) SIG is dedicated to supporting English language teachers in creating inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all students, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

What We Focus On

  • Understanding diverse special education needs

    Including learning difficulties, behavioral challenges, and physical disabilities

  • Inclusive teaching strategies

    Adapting lessons and methods to support all types of learners

  • Promoting equity and inclusion

    Fostering a respectful, accessible, and welcoming classroom environment

  • Differentiated instruction & assessment

    Using flexible approaches to meet individual learning needs

  • Collaboration with families & specialists

    Working together to provide holistic support for SEN learners

  • Awareness of neurodiversity and mental health

    Encouraging empathy and understanding of diverse learner profiles

Children in English learning classroom

Who Can Join Our SIG?

Mainstream Classroom Teachers

Educators working in general education settings who want to better support diverse learner needs

Special Education Teachers

Professionals supporting students with disabilities or learning differences across educational levels

ESL / EFL Teachers

Teachers of English as a second or foreign language seeking inclusive, adaptive practices

Pre-service Teachers

Education students preparing to teach English to young learners in inclusive environments

Inclusive Teaching Advocates

Anyone passionate about equitable education, inclusion, and supporting all learners with care

Young Learners SIG Mission Statement

Inclusive Practices & SEN SIG

Empowering teachers to create inclusive classrooms

The mission of the Inclusive Practices & SEN (IP&SEN) SIG is to promote inclusive education by empowering English language teachers with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to support learners with diverse needs. The SIG fosters an environment of collaboration, learning, and empathy, encouraging teachers to reflect on their practices and advocate for equitable and accessible education for every student.

How it Supports Members

Professional Development

Hosts workshops and webinars on inclusive strategies, behavior management, and working with specific needs (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD, autism).

Resource Sharing

Offers practical tools, adapted lesson plans, and case studies to support inclusive teaching.

Networking and Collaboration

Builds a community where teachers can share experiences, get advice, and collaborate with others who are passionate about inclusive education.

Ongoing Support

Provides a safe space for ongoing dialogue, peer mentoring, and guidance from experienced educators and inclusion specialists.

YL SIG Coordinator

Coordinator

YL SIG Coordinator Photo

Alexandra Korotneva

IP&SEN Coordinator

Alexandra Korotneva is the IP&SEN SIG Coordinator at KazAELT and also serves as the KazAELT Coordinator in Aqtau. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master's degree in Philosophy, along with a CELTA qualification.

Passionate about inclusive education, she strives to raise awareness and support teachers in meeting the diverse needs of all learners.

KazAELT Resource Library

Watch the First Webinar for Free

Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Practical Techniques

47:01
Young Learners SIG Resources

IP&SEN SIG Resources

Explore tools, readings, and websites that support inclusive teaching practices and help you meet the needs of learners with diverse profiles.

Recommended Reading Resources

Books and guides to help educators design inclusive, effective, and equitable learning environments.

Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the Classroom

A practical guide to inclusive teaching across disciplines and age groups.

By Kelly Hogan & Viji Sathy

The Differentiated Classroom

A foundational book on using differentiation to reach all learners.

By Carol Ann Tomlinson

Understanding and Supporting Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties

Practical insights for helping students with emotional and behavioral challenges.

By Paul Cooper

Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs

Real-life strategies and interventions for inclusive classrooms.

By Marian Halliwell

Tools & Materials

Digital platforms and resources to support accessibility and differentiation.

Twinkl SEND Resources

Printable and digital resources tailored for learners with SEND.

Visit Website

Widgit Online

Create symbol-supported content for learners with communication needs.

Visit Website

Bookshare

A free online library of accessible books for people with reading barriers.

Visit Website

CAST UDL Guidelines

Framework for designing inclusive learning based on how people learn.

Visit Website

Useful Websites

Explore resources for accessible education, teacher development, and inclusive strategies.

National Center on AEM

Supports educators in delivering accessible content for students with disabilities.

Visit Website

British Council – Inclusive Practices

Training modules and resources for inclusive English teaching.

Visit Website

Understood.org

Resources for teachers and parents supporting neurodiverse learners.

Visit Website
IP&SEN SIGs KAZAELT
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Upcoming SIG Events

  • View upcoming workshops and meetups
  • Register to attend
  • Browse event archives with photos and recordings
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Get Involved Today!
You first SIG is FREE as a KazAELT member. Each additional SIG membership is 11,000 KZT per year.
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Volunteer Opportunities - YL SIG

Become a volunteer at IP&SEN SIG

Do you want to contribute to the community of primary school teachers? Join as a volunteer!

Co-hosting workshops and webinars

Share your expertise by co-hosting engaging workshops and webinars for primary school teachers. Collaborate with our team to develop valuable content, facilitate discussions, and help teachers enhance their classroom practices with innovative teaching methods.

Writing articles and blogs

Contribute your thoughts, research, and experiences through articles and blog posts for our community. Share best practices, classroom strategies, and educational insights that can inspire and support primary school teachers in their professional journey.

Speaking at events

Take the stage at our conferences, seminars, and special events to share your knowledge and experiences with our teacher community. Inspire others with your unique perspectives, research findings, or successful classroom strategies as a featured speaker.

Creation of educational resources

Help develop valuable educational materials for primary school teachers including lesson plans, worksheets, guides, and digital tools. Put your creativity to work by designing resources that address specific educational needs and enhance classroom learning experiences.

Organization of events

Join our event planning team to organize impactful conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities for the teacher community. Help with logistics, programming, speaker coordination, and creating meaningful experiences that bring teachers together for professional growth.

Are you interested?

Contact the coordinator to join or ask questions.

Suggest Your Idea - IP&SEN SIG

Do you have an idea? Share it with us!

We are always open to new initiatives from SIG members. Your idea may become the next big project.

Suggest a topic for a workshop or training

Propose valuable topics that address current teaching challenges.

Arrange a meeting or networking

Connect with fellow educators through specialized meetups.

Launch a joint project

Collaborate on innovative educational initiatives.

Share ideas

Fill out the form or contact the coordinator directly.

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