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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. This course is open now – enrol until 23 September.

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

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.

How can you enrol on the course?

Register for a free TeachingEnglish account or log in to your account.

Enrol on this free course

What does the course include?

  • Self-study modules that you can access at any time before the course closes
  • A certificate of achievement on successful completion of the self-study modules
  • 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

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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How to teach speaking workbook 20251.09 MB
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Comments

Submitted by Mr manjale on Mon, 09/02/2024 - 07:49

please let me known the course will start.

Submitted by Anne Lennon on Mon, 09/02/2024 - 12:27

Hi,

We don't have a date currently for this course, but you can download the workbook related to the course from the registration page. The workbooks have a lot of resources you can follow if the course isn't active..

We do have two speaking related courses over the next four months if you are interested. You can register for 'How to teach pronunciation' and 'Communication skills' on the training page. the first one starts in October.

I hope you find other courses you are interested in,

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training

Best regards,

Anne

Submitted by Fedousg on Fri, 07/05/2024 - 08:33

Hi Cath,
I have completed the self study module but not sure how to submit. Would you please guide me through that?
Thank you.

Hello Fedousg

Thanks for your message. You do not need to submit the self-study module - you can complete the exercises yourself for you own professional development.

Hope you have found the activities useful,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by marwa99 on Sat, 04/06/2024 - 20:42

I learned how to teach speaking in very easy ways

Hi Martinaasare

Thanks for your comment.

This course is not currently available (all of our free courses are only available for a limited period). However, you can find out more about the course and about teaching speaking skills by downloading the course workbook here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf

You can also sign up to our newsletter to find out about our latest courses, events and resources, here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/subscribe-our-newsletter

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 05/09/2024 - 08:02

Hi Wasim,

Thanks for your comment. This course is not available at the moment. We are only able to offer our courses for a limited period, as most of our courses are moderated. There is a participant workbook for each course with relevant information and links which you can download at any time (see above). To stay up to date on which courses are opening, you can sign up to our free newsletter here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/subscribe-our-newsletter

You can also find out more about our courses and interact with other teachers in our Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/TeachingEnglish.BritishCouncil/

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi,

Thanks for your comment. This course is not available at the moment. We are only able to offer our courses for a limited period, as most of our courses are moderated. There is a participant workbook for each course with relevant information and links which you can download at any time (see above). To stay up to date on which courses are opening, you can sign up to our free newsletter here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/subscribe-our-newsletter

You can also find out more about our courses and interact with other teachers in our Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/TeachingEnglish.BritishCouncil/

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by farashka on Sat, 03/30/2024 - 01:37

Hello, I can see that many courses that cover important aspects of teaching are closed for registration. How can we follow the schedule of your courses, do you normally repeat the courses on basic matters such as "How to teach grammar/reading/writing etc." because these are the topics that are always relevant and fundamental? It would be useful if you keep offering them on a regular basis or just keep them open, so that those who missed the registration can get a chance to enroll again. Thank you.

Hi farashka

Thanks for your comment. We are only able to offer our courses for a limited period, as most of our courses are moderated. There is a participant workbook for each course with relevant information and links which you can download at any time. We do open courses again, and to stay up to date on which courses are opening, you can sign up to our free newsletter here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/subscribe-our-newsletter

You can also find out more about our courses and interact with other teachers in our Facebook group, here: https://www.facebook.com/TeachingEnglish.BritishCouncil/

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

 

Submitted by tegegnem on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 15:00

I read the objectives of courses, so I need to attend this course. please notify me via my email.

Submitted by oscar001 on Sat, 03/09/2024 - 18:24

what are the benefits of learning this course? will you employ me?

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Mon, 03/11/2024 - 07:38

Hi oscar001

This course is currently not available. All of our free courses are available for a specific period and are created to help language teachers with their own professional development. They are not formal qualifications, but designed help you develop your teaching skills and knowledge in specific areas.

You can check out our other courses here: www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training

Hope that helps,
 

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Placide,

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately this course is not currently available.  We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Sonngnn94 on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 20:25

Hello,
I don't know how to enroll to the course. Can you show me how?
Thank you for this course!
Thank you!

Hi Sonngnn94

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately this course is not currently available.  We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 02/08/2024 - 09:51

Hi Bùi

Thanks for your message- unfortunately this course is closed now.  We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running this month called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills -you can click on the link to find out more about the course and how to enrol.

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by EmreandTeachin… on Thu, 01/18/2024 - 14:36

Hello team! I am intetested in this course, let me know when will begin the course.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Fri, 01/19/2024 - 10:55

Hi Emreand

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Thanks,

Cath
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Bahriddinjon on Wed, 01/10/2024 - 02:36

Hello team! I am intetested in this course, let me know when will begin the course.

Hi Bahriddinjon,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Best wishes,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 08:49

Hi

Thanks for your interest in our courses. This course is not currently available - we haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Hope that helps,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Ledum,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Hi Ali

Thanks for your question! We are hoping to run this course again this year or early next year - we don't have a specific date yet, but please check back for updates. You can also subscribe to our newsletter where you will receive information on all our latest courses, events and resources. Sign up for free here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/subscribe-our-newsletter

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Aye Myat Phyu on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 03:16

May I request you to inform me via email when the new course is started again?

Submitted by Philippa on Fri, 12/29/2023 - 14:31

Dear Aye Myat Phyu,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Best wishes,

Philippa (TeachingEnglish team)

Submitted by nabihaeissa on Mon, 01/01/2024 - 20:42

When can I get this course?

Submitted by Philippa on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 12:43

Dear Nabihaeissa,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Best wishes,

Philippa

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by chichianene on Sun, 12/24/2023 - 13:04

I am interested in enrolling for speaking English for the 2024/2025 session. I would like the management to notify me via email. Thank you.

Submitted by Philippa on Fri, 12/29/2023 - 14:32

Dear Chichianene,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Best wishes,

Philippa (TeachingEnglish team)

Dear Lonief,

Thanks for your interest in our courses. We haven't confirmed when we will run How to teach speaking again yet, but in the meantime, you have access to the free workbook which has lots of free resources connected to the contents of the course: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2023-03/Workbook_for_How_to_teach_speaking.pdf. You can also join our Facebook group and access the learning content from the course in the Guides section: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursesforteachers.

If you're interested in teaching speaking, you might also be interested in the course we're running in February called Communication skills: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-communication-skills

Best wishes,

Philippa (TeachingEnglish team)

Submitted by MMurjani on Sat, 09/30/2023 - 04:11

Please assist in starting to attempt the modules of How to teach english through literature

Hi MMurjani

Thanks for your comment. Enrollment for TeachingEnglish through Literature is now closed, so if you haven't enrolled, then you will not be able to take the course this time. We hope to run the course again in the future.

Thanks,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Nga Doan on Thu, 09/28/2023 - 01:47

i have already enrolled the course but now I don't know how to access to the modules, I usually press " enroll the course" to study

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