Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What are the dates of the conference?
16-19 April 2024, Pre-Conference Events 15 April 2024. Dates for future conferences can be found here.

How do I book for the conference?
You can book your place for the conference by going to www.iatefl.org and logging into your IATEFL dashboard. If you haven't done so already, you will need to create a free user account first before you can access this.

Do I have to pay the conference fee when booking or can I pay later?
No, you do not need to pay when submitting your online booking. You have the option to pay online or you can make note of the details to pay later (either by telephone or bank transfer). It is also possible to return to your booking at a later date to pay online or you can pay onsite when you arrive at the conference. Please note, in the event that delegate numbers need to be restricted priority will be given to bookings that are fully paid.

I need an invoice before I can pay, what should I do?
You can download an invoice by logging into your IATEFL dashboard and clicking "My payments" (on the right-hand side, in Account settings).

Will I get a refund if I have to cancel my booking?
We refund 50% of your payment if your cancellation is received by us before 1 March 2024. Cancellations after this date will not be refunded. There is no charge for cancellation of a booking if no payment has been made.

How do I make a change to my booking?
You must contact [email protected] to put your change request in writing. Depending on when you make the change, and what the change is, there may be an administrative fee. Details of administrative fees can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

I need an invitation to the conference, how can I get one?
Invitation letters are only for overseas delegates who require an invitation to assist with their travel visa application. When you make an online booking you can request an invitation letter. If you forgot to request one please contact us. Invitation letters will be sent from December 2023 onwards.

Will I get a certificate of attendance at conference?
All delegates and speakers will be able to download a certificate of attendance from their IATEFL Dashboard after the event. Please note, it may take up to a week after the Conference for your certificate to appear. This delay may be longer if you register onsite.

I’d like to apply for a scholarship to attend IATEFL’s conference, what should I do?
Visit www.iatefl.org/scholarships for full details of the awards given for Brighton 2024. The deadline for applications was 16.00 (UK time) Wednesday 21 June 2023.

I'd like to submit a speaker proposal for the IATEFL Conference, how do I do this?
The deadline for proposal submissions was 16.00 (UK time) Wednesday 13 September 2023. Information for speakers can be found at www.iatefl.org/conference/speaker-information.

Can I bring my child to the conference?
Further information about IATEFL's policy on children and young people can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

What childcare options are available to me whilst I am attending the conference?
IATEFL does not offer childcare facilities for delegates. This is based on a detailed study of the implications in terms of safeguarding, space requirements, staffing, level of demand and requests over previous years, and the implications on delegate fees that would be a result of offering such a service. 
Childcare options near to the conference venue can be found at Brighton & Hove - Family Service Directory 

Why do you hold the IATEFL Annual Conference in the UK?
Since IATEFL started in 1967 there have been a few IATEFL Annual Conferences held in European countries but, due to popular demand, normally this event is held in the UK. We have found that the majority of delegates attending from overseas enjoy coming to the UK to experience UK culture and to practice their English, and in many cases, have found it easier to secure a visa for the UK over other countries.
We do hold other events throughout the year online and around the world, and these are generally led by our Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Sometimes these are stand-alone events but they are often in conjunction with local Teacher Associations or organisations such as the British Council. These can be found on our Events page.

Why do I need to be a member of IATEFL to submit a proposal to speak at the IATEFL Conference?
Being able to submit a proposal to speak at the IATEFL conference is only possible for IATEFL members.
Some of the reasons for this are:

  • Submitting a speaker proposal is seen, and clearly promoted, as a clear benefit of being a member of the association. IATEFL is a self-funding, non-profit organisation run for the benefit of its members.
  • IATEFL sees the conference as a professional development opportunity which it offers as part of its member benefits along with, for example, having an article published in one of its publications or applying to present a webinar.
  • It is hoped that those who wish to present at the conference are not doing so purely for personal interest, but also as part of a professional community of which they wish to be a part.
  • IATEFL supports the wider EFL community with respect of the conference in significant ways, by: welcoming non-members to attend, having the Exhibition open (and free of charge) to all, by offering many scholarships to non-members to attend (and for many, to speak at) the conference, and also through live streaming and recording parts of the conference, including all plenaries, and making these available free online.
  • The cost of joining IATEFL and the subsequent member discount for the conference is purposely kept lower than the cost of attending as a non-member. One reason for this is to provide members with access to the many other year-round benefits of being a member of IATEFL.
  • IATEFL offers members of over 120 national ‘IATEFL Associate’ teaching associations, reduced cost membership enabling their members a cheaper route to joining IATEFL and consequently being able to apply to speak at the annual conference. Additional charitable initiatives of the Wider Membership Scheme (WMS) and the Wider Individual Membership Scheme (WMIS) make this membership route even more accessible for many.

This policy is regularly reviewed by the IATEFL Board of Trustees, who believe that it continues to be in line with IATEFL’s mission.