Speech and Language Support for 11-16s
Speech and Language Support for 11-16s
Speech and Language Support for 11-16s
Empowering educators to unlock communication, learning and confidence in every secondary student.
As students enter secondary education, communication demands increase dramatically. They must process complex language, express abstract ideas, debate opinions, understand sarcasm, and engage socially, often with less visual support than in primary school.
Yet one in ten young people experience persistent speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and many go unrecognised. These students are:
- Six times more likely to fall behind in English
- Eleven times more likely to fall behind in Maths
- Twice as likely to be unemployed as adults
Elklan’s Speech and Language Support for 11–16s equips teachers and support staff with practical, evidence-based strategies to make secondary classrooms more communication-friendly and inclusive for all learners.
Training Formats
Online Training
£420 plus VAT per person.
Face-to-Face Training
£460 plus VAT per person.
Online Non-Accredited e-learning
£295 for 12 weeks' access.
Feedback From Participants
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Who is the course for?
This course is designed for:
- Teachers and TAs/LSAs in secondary settings
- SENCOs and inclusion leads developing whole-school communication strategies
- Learning mentors and pastoral staff supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing
What you will learn
Over ten sessions, the course explores key areas of speech, language and communication development:
Explore the Communication Chain, how receptive and expressive language skills work together, and how difficulties in one area can affect learning and social interaction.
Learn how to build neuro-affirming, inclusive classrooms that value communication diversity and support listening, concentration and confidence.
Understand how working memory impacts learning, and use practical strategies, such as visual tools and task plans, to improve recall and focus.
Discover techniques to help students process instructions, manage complex spoken information, and use the ‘Chunk, Chill, Check!’ method to aid understanding.
Learn how to support comprehension of idioms, metaphors, and figurative language through the Blank Language Scheme.
Teach new and subject-specific words effectively using mind maps, vocabulary maps, and semantic links that enhance long-term retention.
Develop students’ ability to explain ideas, write essays, and structure narratives, key skills for GCSE success.
Explore how oral language underpins reading, writing and spelling, and how to strengthen these foundations through oracy-based learning.
Address the social side of communication, from pragmatic skills and turn-taking to online communication and self-advocacy.
Bring all your learning together by reviewing key strategies and planning how to embed communication-friendly approaches across your classroom and school.
Why Choose Elklan Training?
Elklan are the UK leaders in speech and language training for education. Over 90,000 practitioners have been accredited through our evidence-based courses.
This course stands out because it:
- is developed by specialist Speech and Language Therapists;
- aligns with SEND and inclusion frameworks;
- provides practical classroom strategies ready to use immediately; and
- includes Language Builders for 11–16s, a comprehensive handbook of visuals, checklists, and adaptable tools.
Learning Outcomes
Delivered through practical sessions and supported by Elklan’s Language Builders for 11–16s book, the course helps practitioners to:
- Understand how speech, language and communication skills develop during adolescence
- Identify and support students with communication and learning differences
- Embed inclusive teaching strategies to improve listening, understanding, and expressive language
- Strengthen the link between language, literacy, attainment and behaviour
- Support students to become confident, self-advocating communicators
Course Structure and Accreditation
- 10 weekly sessions
- Delivered face-to-face or online by trained Elklan tutors
- Includes the Language Builders for 11-16s coursebook
- Leads to Level 2 or Level 3 Award in Speech and Language Support for 11-16s (accredited by OCN London).
Why Schools Choose Elklan
Nationwide Tutor Network of over 4,500 specialists
Evidence-based, practical and classroom-focused
Builds staff confidence and consistency in supporting SLCN
Improves attainment, wellbeing and inclusion outcomes
Forms part of the Elklan Communication Friendly Settings (CFS) pathway
Available courses
Accredited Online Training
Face-to-Face Training
Find upcoming coursesCompare the options
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Online Training |
Face-to-Face |
e-learning sessions |
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| Targeted strategies for specific age range |
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| Language Builders for 11-16s |
e-book |
paperback |
e-book |
| Anytime access to the e-learning sessions |
Twelve weeks |
Catch-up sessions available for purchase |
Twelve weeks |
| Teaching from an Elklan Tutor | |||
| Discuss and share with other learners |
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| External accreditation with a 9 credit Award on successful completion |
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| Learning log to complete online |
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| Time commitment per course for all aspects | 4-4½ hours total per week* | 4-4½ hours per week** | 1-1½ hours per week |
| £420 plus VAT |
£460 plus
VAT
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£295 |
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| Find upcoming courses | Find upcoming courses | Purchase now | |
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*This is an accredited course and so you will need to actively engage with the training and complete a learning log. To do this you should expect to set aside around 4½ hours weekly. This will include:
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**This is an accredited course and so you will need to actively engage with the training and complete a learning log. To do this you should expect to set aside around 4½ hours weekly. |
Further training opportunities
Let's Talk courses for parents and carers
If you achieve a level 3 qualification in Speech and Language Support for 11-16s, you can train to deliver Let's Talk with 10-14s to parents and carers of children with speech and language needs in your school. Following a one-day course, you'll be qualified as a Let's Talk Tutor, able to cascade the Let's Talk course under licence.
Communication Friendly Settings (CFS)
Speech and Language Support for 11-16s is an essential first step for your school to achieve Communication Friendly Setting status. If you are a TA, you need to complete the level 3 qualification; if you are a teacher, then you can access the non-accredited e-learning sessions, which will prepare you to complete a level 4 learning log at the next stage.
Specialist Courses
These courses are ideally suited for you if you have completed an eight- or ten-session core course and wish to take your learning further.
