This free online course is for English language teachers around the world. It will help you develop the skills and practices you need for your continuing professional development (CPD).

This course is part of our Teaching for Success: Practices for English Language Teaching program. In the program we will look at the 12 professional practices for CPD on the British Council’s teacher development framework.

In this course you will look at four professional practices:

Planning lessons and courses
Managing resources
Managing the lesson
Taking responsibility for professional development.

Learn with English language teachers worldwide

Each week will focus on one of these practices. Short video interviews with experienced teachers will be combined with classroom films from around the world to illustrate the main points of each week.

Video tutors, Suzanne and Claire, will guide you through each week’s content, offering tips, advice and downloadable resources at every stage.

You will be asked to share your own experiences and opinions as you become part of a global community of English language teachers discussing what leads to success.

The course draws on the British Council’s many years of expertise in teacher training and development around the world. It will be useful for teachers of English at primary, secondary or higher levels.

What topics will you cover?

Planning lessons and courses

Why and how do teachers plan lessons and courses.
What are the key factors to consider?
Identifying aims and stages in your own and others’ lessons.

Managing resources

Making the most of the resources available to you.
The role of technology.
Using flashcards and realia.
Boardwork, Sharing resources with others.

Managing the lesson

Factors that influence learning.
Teacher language and the use of L1.
Pair and group work.
Engaging learners.

Taking responsibility for professional development

Peer observation.
Identifying professional development needs.
Personal learning networks.
Reflective practice.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Compare teaching approaches and experience with others from around the world.
Reflect on your approach to lesson planning and the factors that inform your planning decisions.
Interpret other teachers' approaches and decision making.
Identify appropriate teaching resources and assess their effectiveness.
Develop strategies to continue your professional development.

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at teachers of English as a foreign language at all levels. Intermediate level English (around B1 on the CEFR) is required.

Who will you learn with?

Claire Ross

I'm an English teacher and teacher trainer. I'm interested in online learning/teaching and pluralistic approaches to languages and cultures particularly in refugee/immigrant contexts

Suzanne Mordue

I work for the British Council as an E-Learning Consultant for the teacher development team. This work includes supporting the build of our online courses and teacher training.

Who developed the course?

British Council

The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.

We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million people overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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