Speech, Language & Communication Training
From evidence to everyday practice
Explore training topicsITS provides speech and language training for schools, academies and professionals. Our practical, evidence-informed CPD draws on the best available research, clinical expertise and the priorities of children, families and settings — helping teams turn learning into everyday support.
- Relevant research and professional guidance
- Clinical experience and judgement
- Individual and setting priorities
How we think about evidence
Not all approaches have the same kind or strength of evidence. Our training helps staff understand what an approach is, who it may suit and how to use it meaningfully in their setting.
Research-supported interventions
Approaches with published studies and measurable outcomes, considered in relation to specific learners, goals and settings.
Structured or accredited programmes
Defined training, manuals or resources. Accreditation or structure alone does not establish effectiveness.
Practice-based evidence and emerging approaches
Learning informed by documented outcomes, service evaluation, practitioner experience or developing research.
Clinical frameworks and enabling strategies
Ways of planning and supporting accessible communication, participation and implementation, rather than necessarily a discrete treatment.
Understanding different types of evidence: Some approaches fit more than one category. ITS considers the available research alongside clinical expertise, individual needs and the practical context of each setting.
Explore training topics
Browse eight areas of speech, language and communication learning. Select a topic to view examples below; these are themes for discussion, not a list of confirmed dated courses.
Twelve priority training topics
These topics reflect areas of interest for schools and education professionals. Enquire about content, delivery format and trainer availability; no booking dates are implied.
Colourful Semantics Introduction
An introduction to colour-coded support for sentence meaning, expressive language and classroom application.
Enquire about this topicColourful Semantics In Practice
Explore how to apply and review Colourful Semantics strategies across learning activities.
Enquire about this topicUnderstanding and Supporting DLD
Build understanding of developmental language disorder and inclusive classroom responses.
Enquire about this topicSupporting SLCN in the Classroom
Practical communication adjustments to strengthen access, interaction and participation.
Enquire about this topicVocabulary Development Across the Curriculum
Plan explicit word teaching, retrieval and meaningful opportunities to use new vocabulary.
Enquire about this topicDeveloping Narrative, Inference and Language for Learning
Support storytelling, reasoning, comprehension and language for curriculum learning.
Enquire about this topicIntroduction to AAC and Core Vocabulary
Explore AAC access, core vocabulary and everyday communication partner strategies.
Enquire about this topicIntensive Interaction and Early Communication
Explore responsive interaction strategies for engagement and early intentional communication.
Enquire about this topicUnderstanding Communication and Behaviour
Consider how communication needs and environments may affect participation and behaviour.
Enquire about this topicNeurodiversity-Affirming Communication Support
Promote autonomy, communication preferences, access and respectful support.
Enquire about this topicDeveloping a Whole-School SLCN Strategy
Plan a joined-up approach to communication support, staff skills and review.
Enquire about this topicEmbedding Universal, Targeted and Specialist Provision
Strengthen the graduated response and sustainable delivery of communication support.
Enquire about this topicProgramme-specific training: Official training or certification for licensed programmes is only offered where the necessary trainer qualifications, permissions and arrangements are in place. Otherwise, ITS can discuss suitable awareness or implementation support where appropriate.
What might each topic area include?
Open any category to see example themes and related ITS information. We can discuss how these relate to the needs of your team and setting.
Speech & Language Foundations
Understand SLCN and practical ways to support communication.
- Identifying speech, language and communication needsRecognise when pupils may need communication adjustments or further assessment.
- Supporting SLCN in the classroomAdapt instruction, routines and everyday interactions for communication access.
- Understanding and supporting DLDUnderstand developmental language disorder and translate guidance into classroom practice.
- Communication and behaviourExplore how communication needs can affect participation, distress and behaviour.
Language & Literacy
Vocabulary, storytelling, comprehension and writing.
- Colourful SemanticsExplore a structured, research-informed approach to sentence meaning and expressive language.
- Word AwareConsider explicit vocabulary teaching and repeated meaningful word use.
- Vocabulary across the curriculumPlan consistent approaches to teaching and revisiting key words.
- Narrative, inference and language for learningDevelop teaching strategies for storytelling, comprehension and explanations.
Autism & Neurodiversity
Respectful and accessible communication across settings.
- Neurodiversity-affirming communication supportSupport self-advocacy, communication preferences and meaningful participation.
- Communication-friendly environmentsIdentify barriers and make classroom interaction more accessible.
- Social communication and interactionBuild understanding of different communication styles and interaction needs.
AAC & Complex Needs
Signs, symbols and other communication access approaches.
- Introduction to AAC and core vocabularyExplore aided communication, core words and everyday communication opportunities.
- Aided language modellingPractise modelling language using a learner’s AAC system.
- Intensive Interaction and early communicationExplore responsive interaction and early shared engagement.
- Visual communication and symbolsConsider practical symbol-supported environments, including Boardmaker resources.
Speech & Fluency
Understanding speech sound needs and stammering.
- Speech sound needs and phonological awarenessUnderstand speech sound differences and their links with early literacy.
- Supporting pupils who stammerExplore person-centred communication support and environmental adjustments.
- Speech clarity and participationConsider practical ways to improve communication access and confidence.
Early Years
Communication-rich interactions, play and early language.
- Early language developmentBuild everyday opportunities for listening, vocabulary and expressive language.
- Talk BoostLearn about a structured targeted language intervention and appropriate implementation.
- Parent and educator interaction strategiesUse responsive communication strategies to support early development.
Specialist & Post-16
Communication support for specialist provision and older learners.
- Communication in specialist settingsAdapt communication access, resources and partner strategies.
- Functional communication and transitionsPlan for participation, independence and transitions to adulthood.
- Communication profiles and complex needsUnderstand individual communication preferences, environments and supports.
SEND Leadership & Inclusion
Whole-school planning, staff development and implementation.
- Developing a whole-school SLCN strategyAudit provision and plan sustainable communication support.
- Universal, targeted and specialist provisionClarify graduated support and referral pathways across a setting.
- INSET, coaching and implementationEmbed training through practice, reflection and outcome monitoring.
From a training session to everyday practice
- Identify the communication needs and priorities of pupils and staff.
- Choose realistic classroom or whole-setting strategies.
- Support implementation through coaching and practical resources.
- Review meaningful outcomes and adapt provision when needed.
Training to suit your setting
Choose the route that fits your team. Confirmed dates, where available, are listed through the ITS Eventbrite organiser; other topics can be discussed through an enquiry.
Central & live online courses
See any currently published course dates and booking arrangements through ITS Eventbrite.
View Eventbrite courses ↗In-house CPD & INSET
Discuss training shaped around your team, pupils, setting priorities and preferred delivery format.
Enquire about in-house CPD →Bespoke coaching & consultancy
Explore follow-up coaching, implementation support or a wider programme of communication-focused development.
Discuss bespoke support →Discuss your training requirements
Tell us the topic you’re interested in, your setting, who would attend and what you’d like staff to achieve. Use the existing Training Contact Form directly below this section, or contact ITS.
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Evidence note: Inclusion of a topic or approach does not mean that all interventions have the same level of research evidence or that ITS offers official accredited programme training. Evidence and delivery options should be considered for the intervention, population, intended outcome, setting and available staff expertise.
