TeachingEnglish: How to teach speaking

Develop your understanding of speaking skills and explore teaching techniques and activities that promote oral communication in the classroom for a range of ages and levels. Enrolment for How to teach speaking is closed. Find resources connected to the course contents on this page, and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open.

A Black teacher and a learner in a wheelchair smiling at each other. There are other learners of different genders and ethnic backgrounds sitting at the same table.
TeachingEnglish
Understanding
9–12 hours
Start: 03/04/25
End: 30/09/25
Certificate
Workbook
Online community

Enrolment for How to teach speaking is closed. Sign up for our newsletter, and we'll keep you updated when enrolment will open next. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about How to teach speaking, you can view helpful resources here.


How will the course help you?

By the end of How to teach speaking, you'll be able to:

  • evaluate and adapt activities to promote meaningful communication
  • adapt tasks to maximise learner interaction
  • identify and justify appropriate speaking activities that effectively support specific lesson objectives.

What resources can you access any time?

  • A free workbook with extra learning content and resources connected to the course contents
  • A dedicated Facebook community of course participants with up-to-date insight, resources and innovative teaching ideas for you to try out (Facebook account required)
  • Learning content related to our courses on Facebook and YouTube
  • Live events and recordings with course tutors and language teaching experts on Facebook and YouTube
  • Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open

What are the self-study modules?

Module 1 Understanding speaking – key terms and issues

The aim of this module is to explore key terms and issues in the teaching of speaking. You'll look at how to evaluate and modify activities in terms of communicative quality, and consider how to get your learners using 'real speaking', not just completing grammar tasks.

Module 2 Understanding speaking – maximising interaction

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of techniques and activities which promote speaking in your classroom. You'll look at the benefits of pair and group work and adapt tasks to maximise learner interaction.

Module 3 Understanding language practice activities

The aim of this module is to explore and evaluate a range of practice activities. The module also looks at flexible activities that can be adapted for different ages and levels. You have the opportunity to select appropriate activities which match with lesson aims, and justify your choices.


Course reviews

What have other teachers said about how How to teach speaking helped them?

"Today, I taught a beginner class how to participate in a role-play activity for the first time. Instead of giving them instructions and then moving on straight to the speaking activity, I extended the speaking practice by eliciting what a role-play is, and brainstorming possible situations and roles reducing teacher speaking time. Also, after the role-play I extended the activity by asking them how they felt during the role-play encouraging them to express their personality and inout on the activity."

Course participant, Argentina

"After learning about the importance of fluency-focused activities, I started including short speaking tasks earlier in my lessons instead of leaving them until the end. For example, I now use pair discussions or role-plays in the middle of class to give students more time to practise speaking freely. This has helped boost their confidence and made lessons more interactive."

Course participant, Malaysia

"The British Council, TeachingEnglish course on how to teach speaking was very insightful.  For example, I learned the importance of using communicative activities like role-plays in speaking lessons. I now regularly incorporate role-plays into my daily classes, allowing students to practice real-life conversations in a supportive environment to boost their confidence and helps improve their speaking skills more effectively."

Course participant, Nigeria


Do you have more questions?

Please see our FAQs or access further support through our Help button.


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Comments

Submitted by Malak Omar on Wed, 07/20/2022 - 11:23

Hello everyone, Just I need to ask you about the course items, where I can find Today's course topics sorry for that, this is the first time here for me
Thank you alot

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:43

In reply to by Malak Omar

Hi Malak, and welcome!

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. Any course that is currently available will show up on your account, on and after the day it starts. 

The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers which started on the 19th of July if you are interested in those skills. 

Best regards,

Anne 

Submitted by mrlooksat on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 15:02

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I wish to join the skill acquisition lecture to help argument my knowledge on certain skills. I like to join .
Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 21:00

In reply to by mrlooksat

Hi mrlooksal,

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. Any course that is currently available will show up on your account, on and after the day it starts. 

The next active course starts on the 30th August : Teaching pathways: How to teach grammar. The details are here if you are interested in that course.. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-how-teach-grammar

Anne

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Faisal Mirza on Thu, 07/07/2022 - 02:32

I want to enroll myself in this course. As I am a teacher and speaking is considered the most important skill so I would like to learn new technics to teach this skill. Thank you!

Hi Faisal,

Thank you for your interest in the course, and yes, I agree that speaking is very important for language learning!   Unfortunately we don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. Any course that is currently available will show up on your account, on and after the day it starts. 

The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers starting on 19th of July if you are interested in those skills. 

Best regards,

Anne 

TeachingEnglish Team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 16:53

I am interested in this course.

Submitted by Haji Nawab on Mon, 07/04/2022 - 15:37

I am new and registered recently. I want to enroll in the above training. Can you please guide me.
Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 18:55

In reply to by Haji Nawab

Welcome to the site!  Unfortunately we don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. Any course that is currently available will show up on your account, on and after the day it starts. 

The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers starting on 19th of July if you are interested in those skills. 

Best regards,

Anne 

TeachingEnglish Team

Submitted by msanh on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 02:40

How can I enroll in this class? I created my account couple days ago but I still cannot see the link to sign up the class

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/02/2022 - 19:44

In reply to by msanh

Hi

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. Any course that is currently available will show up on your account, on and after the day it starts.  The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers starting on 19th of July if you are interested in those skills.

Anne 

TeachingEnglish Team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2022 - 03:49

Dear Sir/ Madam,
Kindly advise me how to enroll for this course. Thanks!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/02/2022 - 19:42

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers starting on 19th of July if you are interested in those skills.

Anne 

TeachingEnglish Team

Hi Enas,

 

If you look under 'Teaching resources' on our main site, the resources are grouped under age group so you can choose whoch age group you are interested in then search for speaking guidance and activities,

Anne

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2022 - 21:33

Hi We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers.

Anne 

TeachingEnglish Team

Hi sbrooke,

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. If you are interested in it, the next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers

Anne

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by mrtanedu on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 09:22

Hello, teachers!
I recently completed a Tesol course and would like to participate in this training course to improve my teaching abilities. Please keep me informed about the start of this course. Thank you very much!

Hi mrtanedu,

We don't have a confirmed start date for a new run of Teaching pathways: How to teach Speaking. New dates will be published on the main page when they are programmed. The next course we are running is Teaching Pathways: online skills for 21st century teachers https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-pathways-online-skills-21st-century-teachers

Anne

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/27/2022 - 14:07

Hi! I´ll be so happy to learn how to teach my students speaking. I want to register, how can I do it?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/27/2022 - 22:13

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

 

Hi La Paloma,

The courses are timetabled at different times across the year and we don't have a new date for 'How to teach speaking' at the moment. Keep your eye on the main training page on our site for any new dates.. If you are interested, the next MOOC, starting June 7th,  is https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/language-resilience-teaching-english-refugees-and-displaced-learners. Also,  here is the link to a 'live session' on facebook about 'how to teach speaking', hope you find it interesting. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=251370933775521

Anne

TeachingEnglish team 

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/18/2022 - 22:31

Hi Neftali,
The course isn't running at the moment. Keep your eyes on the teaching English courses page, if there is a new run of it dates will be published there.
Anne
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Neyerdy on Tue, 05/03/2022 - 08:45

I've completed 2 modules (80%) and only 1 module is not finished, but I cannot open the links of this page. What do I do wrong?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/03/2022 - 22:29

In reply to by Neyerdy

Hi Neyerdy,
Sorry to hear you couldn't access the other module. Usually that's a temporary problem, try logging out and back in again, clearing your cache etc. Hope you can get back to it.
Anne
TEnglish team

Hi Nilufar,
I am sorry to hear you had technical problems, I hope that they reappeared for you so you could complete.
best regards,
Anne
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Bunmi Adesanya on Sat, 03/26/2022 - 09:34

I can't access any course, I can't find "My Portfolio" on the menu bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 08:46

In reply to by Bunmi Adesanya

Hi,
I hope you have found this now - it may have been linked to some technical problems caused by an upgrade to the site. It should be fine now.
Anne
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 18:51

Dear all, I have tied, but seems not have a button to click on and access the course whereas the ones one pays it works.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Tue, 03/08/2022 - 12:08

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hello

This course has now finished and is no longer available for registration. It will be offered again later in 2022.

Thanks,

Cath

TE Team

Submitted by Su Sandy Htay on Fri, 03/04/2022 - 05:31

Hello. I tried the steps that you mentioned to enroll in the course. I went to "My course" and clicked the Explore all courses and nothing happened later. Would you please help me?

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 09:01

In reply to by Su Sandy Htay

Hello

This course is now finished and closed for registration. It will be offered again later in 2022, so please check back.

Thanks,

Cath
TE Team

Submitted by Siegfried on Fri, 02/18/2022 - 02:37

I'm trying to enroll in it but I can't find how.
I think it's because it's not schedule by the moment
I have just enrolled to "How to teach pronunciation" but I want to enroll in speaking too.
Could you help me please?

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 02/21/2022 - 09:05

In reply to by Siegfried

Hi Siegfried,

This course is no longer available for enrolment. The course will be offered again later in 2022.

Thanks,

Cath

TE Team

Submitted by Thammarat on Sun, 02/06/2022 - 10:13

Hello everyone

I am Tommy from Thailand. It is very invaluable and useful for me as a teacher to learn and also improve myself in language teaching.

Many effectively practical activities I have gotten out of the course.

keep going on !

thanks

 

Submitted by Aeschylus on Fri, 02/04/2022 - 15:11

Good day,

I enrolled and finished the online courses. is there anything else as a requirement for my certificate; I can't find it from "my award" tab

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 02/07/2022 - 09:51

In reply to by Aeschylus

Hello Aeschylus

If you have completed the course but can't access your certificate, you need to contact the technical team using the orange "Help" button on the courses homepage. They will be able to resolve this issue for you.

Cath

TE Team

Submitted by Lamiaa Aamer on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 19:29

I have finished the "How to Teach Speaking" course today but I couldn't download the certificate. I tried to log out and in again to find that my progress was erased from my profile along the "How to Teach Listening" and "How to Motivate Learners" courses that I finished last year.

Please help me get back on track as I need that certificate and I don't wanna go through the courses all over again.

Best Regards,
Lamiaa

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 02/07/2022 - 09:49

In reply to by Lamiaa Aamer

Hi Lamiaa

Sorry you are having problems with getting your certificate. To resolve this issue you need to contact the technical team using the orange "Help" button in the botttom-right-hand corner of the courses page.

Thanks

Cath

TE Team

Submitted by ridha217 on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 06:57

Hello,

I would like to inform you that I was notified about acheiving the course and receiving the "Teaching pathways, How to teach speaking" Certficate, but unfortunately I cannot see it on My awards list.

My appologies if this would disturb you.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 13:41

In reply to by ridha217

Hello ridha217

If you have completed the course but have not received your certificate, please can you use the orange "Help" button on the course page to contact the technical team? They will be able to help you resolve this issue.

Thanks,
Cath

TE Team

Submitted by Maryem on Tue, 02/01/2022 - 18:43

I tried to join this course but there is no green tab on the right. I've checked it many times and ended up with the same thing: no green tab to enroll.

Hi Maryem

This course is no longer available for enrolment. We expect to offer the course again later in the year.

Thanks,
Cath

TE Team

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 15:40

I have worked on all the modules and exercises but my name remains appeared unknown user on certificate of completion. I have checked all the stages and modules many times but the problem remains unsolved. Please, kindly request solution on this issue. Thank you.

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