The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales and Scotland.
On this online English course, you will learn about British life and culture, and improve your English language skills and knowledge.Through short videos, you will learn about different popular culture topics as well as ways of life in the UK, including English as a global language, the countryside, music, and literature. Filmed in Great Britain, these videos will help you to develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English. You will also examine some of the language used in the videos and analyse its use and learn how to use it again in practice.This English language course draws on the British Council’s expertise in online learning. On this British Council courses page you can find out more about the other courses they offer for people who are learning and teaching English.You can find out more about this course in Chris Cavey’s post for the FutureLearn blog: 3 tips for getting the most out of Exploring English.This course is for non-native English speakers who have studied English to around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR).
Find out how to help students dealing with traumaOn this course, you’ll hear from experienced teachers on the challenges of refugee education.They’ll share experiences of what they’ve learned and strategies they’ve used when teaching migrant learners both in countries affected by conflict and in host countries.Whether you’re a language teacher, a teacher of another subject, or a volunteer working in migrant and refugee education, you’ll find ideas and strategies that you can use to better understand your learners.You’ll also learn how to build inclusive classrooms and develop your learners’ confidence, taking into account the languages they know and their cultures.The course will be useful for anyone working with migrants and refugees in an educational context.This can range from those teaching English to refugees to teachers in schools looking to promote inclusive education.
Learn how to create an enabling environment to nurture children’s wellbeing.This two-week course will explore why happy children learn better and the practical things you can do to encourage this. You’ll learn how to provide the best conditions for learning and how to give the right amount of support.The course has been produced by the British Council, providers of high-quality English language courses in over 100 countries.Creating enabling environments and positive relationshipsYou’ll explore ways to build positive relationships with young children, and their families and how this can help with their language development.You’ll also understand how to create the right environment to encourage learning and development.Learn how to nurture a child’s wellbeingOnce you have understood what an enabling environment is, you’ll understand how this leads to a better learning experience.You’ll explore how watching and observing children helps us to get to know them, and what they need in order to help them with their development, as well as how to build trust to support them through their learning experience.Observe children’s progressLearn what to expect from young children learning English as an additional language, and how to measure progress in a meaningful way.Understand how observation of children helps gain an understanding of what the next steps in each child’s learning and development might be, and how to help move learning forward.This course is for parents of young children, English teachers of young children and early years practitioners who want to understand and assist young children in learning English as an additional language. It will suit you if you have an interest in early childhood development.
Prepare for success in your IELTS Reading testThe four courses in the British Council’sUnderstanding IELTS ExpertTrack will give you a complete guide to everything you need to know as you prepare for the IELTS test.This course focuses on the reading test. You’ll explore the format of the test and the kinds of text you need to read, and develop learning strategies to help you tackle the different task types, from multiple choice to true, false, and not given.You’ll also look at general reading strategies that will help you cope with the kind of complex texts on unfamiliar topics that you’ll meet in your IELTS studies.This IELTS preparation course is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their English reading skills in preparation for the IELTS Reading test. It might also be useful for IELTS teachers.There are no formal entry requirements.
Develop your workplace English skillsThis course is for people who are learning English and are interested in developing English language skills for employability and workplace contexts. It will help job seekers and young professionals with the English they need.Each week, we’ll focus on key aspects of English for the workplace. You’ll watch videos and listen to audio recordings of people in various situations. This includes those searching and applying for jobs, preparing for and taking interviews, and those starting their new jobs and working with new colleagues.Our experienced tutor will examine some of the language used and draw your attention to useful points to improve your English in workplace contexts.Learn some key business English vocabularyThe course does not follow a language syllabus but takes workplace English as its starting point. It offers functional language phrases and real, authentic workplace scenarios. Short quizzes and discussions will help you measure your understanding and practise your English.As you progress through the various topics, you’ll learn plenty of business English vocabulary and workplace English expressions that you can use at work and when applying for jobs.Improve your skills in English at workAs well as practising workplace English and learning some workplace English expressions, you’ll examine what makes a successful job application and interview.Throughout the course, you’ll be asked to share your opinions, ideas and questions with other learners. The best way to get the most out of the course is to be prepared to join in and share your experiences.This course is aimed at non-native English speakers who have studied English to at least pre-intermediate level (approximately A2 on the CEFR). Those interested in improving their business English for the workplace will find new vocabulary and phrases to use at work.
Discover British culture while improving your English language skillsImprove your English language skills while discovering key aspects of British culture, from Shakespeare to live music, and more.
##This teachers’ CPD course is dedicated to exploring tech and soft skills for the 21st century and how to incorporate them into your English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom.Focusing on professional practices outlined in the British Council’s teacher development framework, it will build your knowledge and confidence in:Integrating ICT into the classroomPromoting 21st century skillsUsing multilingual approachesUnderstanding educational policies and practicePromote tech and soft skills in your English classroomBuilding the right skills to succeed in the 21st century is one of the biggest challenges facing educators. While ICT skills are important, so are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. This course covers all of these skills and looks at how you can help your students build them while improving their English language.Integrate new technology into your teaching practiceHow can we use mobile phones to aid learning? And what is the best way to analyse teaching technology that will help your students develop English skills outside the classroom? This course covers a range of technology options and gives you the tools you need to find your own favourites.Learn from experienced English teachers and grow your teaching resourcesYour learning will be supported by video interviews with experienced teachers and downloadable teaching resources at every stage. You will also see classroom videos demonstrating how other teachers have put these techniques into action.This course is aimed at English language teachers at all levels. You will need an intermediate level English (around B1 on the CEFR) in order to engage with the course materials.
Learn with English language teachers worldwideThis continued professional development course is for EFL teachers around the world who are interested in improving their understanding of their students and creating genuinely inclusive teaching practices.The course specifically builds four professional practices that will improve your skills and knowledge based on the British Council’s teacher development framework. It is focused on improving:Understanding of learnersKnowledge of the subject Use of inclusive practicesLearning assessmentFoster student engagement through better understandingFor the best learning outcomes, it’s important to understand what motivates your students and build rapport based on that understanding. This course allows you to watch experienced teachers interact with their students and see how they build rapport, offer praise, and encourage them to speak up in class.Create a genuinely inclusive EFL classroomSuccessful teaching offers students a way to achieve their learning outcomes using a range of processes. This shows you how you can differentiate texts, tasks, and media to support all of your students. You’ll also consider different ways to produce evidence of understanding and evaluate your own inclusive teaching practices.Learn with EFL teachers around the worldYou’ll spend a week focusing on each of these different practices. The course material is supported by video interviews with experienced teachers and classroom films from around the world. You’ll also receive downloadable teaching resources at every stage to give you the best chance of turning your learning into practice.This course is aimed at English language teachers at all levels. You will need an intermediate level English (around B1 on the CEFR) in order to engage with the course materials.
Learn how to identify your strengths and use them in your careerIn the last ten years there have been more than 12 million international graduates of UK education.This two-week course will equip international graduates with the skills and understanding that they need in order to navigate and enter their local employment market. It will support them to identify their skills, and how to communicate these effectively to potential employers, as well building an understanding of organisational and workplace culture.The course is for international graduates of UK Higher Education entering into, or returning to, the employment market, globally. They can have studied either in the UK, or for a UK HE qualification overseas via TNE.The course is for all international graduates (undergraduates and postgraduates). To give a sense of scale of the potential audience, there are 12 million international students who have graduated from a UK HEI in the last ten years.
Learn to plan and deliver thoughtful and engaging English lessons Understand and plan your professional development as an EFL teacher, with this flexible teaching ExpertTrack.
Understand how to make the most of life and university study in the UK.The prestige of a UK university education attracts students from all over the world. However, research shows that transition to UK study is not always easy. Many feel challenged by an unfamiliar educational system, cultural differences, and working in a different language.This course will give you all the help you need to study and thrive in the UK. You’ll become familiar with studying in English and how higher education courses are structured, gaining a clear understanding of what to expect. You’ll also develop self-study skills, whilst getting a taste of life in the UK.This course would be of immense benefit to international students who have been accepted to study at a UK university.
Explore online language teaching with young learnersHave you recently had to adapt to online teaching in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?This 3-week course from the British Council will help you explore the practice and theory of online teaching.While this course is mostly aimed at English language teachers, all teachers can benefit from learning about accessibility, online safety, and how to engage young learners online.Create the best conditions for online learningThe course will begin with an exploration of how to ensure learners interact together meaningfully. You’ll learn about the principles of language learning and teaching, and gain insight into how to connect with learners and their parents.Building a community and developing rapport with your students will help them have a positive online learning experience, so you’ll plan and share a meaningful activity that’ll help you get to know your learners.Develop inclusive teaching methodsIt’s important to tailor your online teaching to your learners’ needs so that each class is inclusive and fun, so you’ll learn how to provide extra support for those who need it.You’ll help expose your learners to language through reading and listening activities, and develop strategies to engage learners in different online learning environments.Learn strategies for teaching English onlineIn the final week, you’ll be helping your learners to develop their speaking and writing skills. We’ll discuss assessments for learning, including how to set expectations and motivate your students.This course is for English language teachers, teaching young learners (5-17) in an online environment. Experience of teaching in online contexts is not essential and both experienced and novice online teachers will benefit.While most of the context is based around English language learning, teachers of other subjects will also find the course valuable, as the principles of English language lesson planning apply to online teaching in general.
Teaching English to children while they’re still learning their mother tongue is a challenging but rewarding prospect. In this online course, you’ll learn how and why children learn best through play. What can parents and practitioners do to enable children to get the most out of a learning experience?This course for parents and practitioners will explore how young children learn English and investigate many more aspects of early childhood learning and development.British Council educators will share their insights and experiences, so that you can learn how to best talk to young children; how to create the best environment for them to learn English as an additional language; and how to monitor their progress.Through articles, videos and live events you will hear from early childhood experts and parents, and see for yourself how young children learn inside the early years classroom. At every stage, you will be offered tips, advice and downloadable resources that will help you with teaching English as a foreign language to children.This course will be of interest to you if you are: a parent of young children who wishes to support their child learning an additional language; an English teacher or an early childhood practitioner; or someone who is interested in the area of child development and language acquisition.If English is not your first language please be reassured that this course is suitable for those who have learnt English to around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR).The principles of learning an additional language during early childhood apply to all languages, so if you are a parent, teacher or practitioner interested in teaching languages other than English, you will find plenty of relevant methods in the course.
Improve your language assessment skills and discover new types of assessmentsOver the last 15 years, assessment has had an increasingly significant impact on education policy globally. Consequently, there is a growing need among teachers to understand how language assessment works.On this course from the British Council, you will learn about the principles of sound language assessment. You’ll develop an understanding of the different types of assessment in education and how they can be applied.With guidance from experienced test developers and international assessment experts, you’ll explore practical ways of assessing language and skills to use in your classroom.This course is aimed at language teachers in secondary or high schools around the world, and anyone interested in understanding how language assessment works.To get the most from this course, you will need to have English language proficiency at a minimum CEFR B1 level.The course does not require any previous knowledge of assessment issues.
Developing Effective Policies for the Impact EconomyIn the face of the climate crisis and inequality, there also comes the possibility of great change, a moment where we can envision a greener, more inclusive, connected and harmonious future. ‘Business as usual’ has the planet at breaking point and new ways of doing business are needed.This course explores the role social enterprise and inclusive business plays in building a new future, delivering the SDGs and addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. It also explores the role of government policy as an enabler to harness the power of business for good.This course is intended for emerging and senior policy makers as well as groups that are aiming to influence policies and strategies in countries around the world. Participants are likely to include social entrepreneurs, intermediaries, civic leaders, civilians and policy makers.Smartphone or laptop.