What's happening in August and September 2024?
This page gives you an overview of all the activity happening across our TeachingEnglish channels in August and September 2024.
For teachers, we'll be focusing on the theme of Integrating ICT. For teacher educators, the focus is Supporting remote learning. Below you'll find free online training courses, live webinars and other online events, podcast episodes and research – all related to the bimonthly themes. You'll also find training and resources related to our evergreen themes of Gender, Inclusion, Climate and Assessment throughout the year.
Our theme workbook for teachers is designed to help you develop your understanding of our main theme through reflection and extra resources.
In addition to our themed events and content, we also have hundreds of lesson plans and classroom resources. Below we've selected some lesson plans to help you engage learners with topical issues and special United Nations days in August and September.
Online training courses
We have a range of courses running connected to the theme of Integrating ICT and our evergreen themes. Live events and discussions related to these courses are hosted in our Courses for teachers community on Facebook. Find out more about all courses running in August and September below.
- Key digital skills – enrol before 23 September
Develop beginner digital skills and learn how to use documents, worksheets, search, presentations and videoconferencing to enhance your teaching.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- Using word processors
- Using slideshows
- Using spreadsheets and search
- Videoconferencing.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the free Key digital skills workbook- How to teach writing – enrol before 23 September
Improve your learners' writing skills by exploring the sub-skills that make good writers and ways of developing them in the classroom.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- Understanding writing
- Engaging with writing – process writing
- Engaging with writing – activities.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the free How to teach writing workbook- Helping teachers to learn – enrol before 23 November
This free course is for teacher educators and teachers considering becoming a teacher educator. Discover how to support teachers in their professional development by planning and delivering effective training. Find out how to set up and support communities of practice to facilitate collaboration, and learn how to encourage all types of self-directed learning.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- Understanding teacher learning and training
- Facilitating collaborative learning
- Supporting teacher autonomy and self-directed learning.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the Helping teachers to learn workbook- Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners – enrol before 23 September
Make your classroom a trauma-sensitive learning environment. Help your learners to shine by working creatively with limited resources and by managing challenging behaviour positively.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- An introduction to trauma and its effects on the classroom
- Teaching with minimal resources
- Dealing with very challenging behaviour.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners workbook- TeachingEnglish: Inclusive classrooms – enrol before 21 September
Make your classes inclusive learning spaces by identifying barriers that can affect learning and practical strategies to overcome them.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- Introduction to inclusion
- Creating an inclusive classroom environment
- Making your school culture more inclusive.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the Inclusive classrooms workbook- Gender in language education – enrol before 21 September
Learn to recognise different kinds of gender bias and stereotypes, some of the barriers learners face in gender equality and equity, and how to help overcome them in your context.
In this free online course, you will learn about the following:
- Gender representation in teaching materials
- Understanding gender equality in teaching practice
- Working with gender equality in education.
Find out more and enrol on this free course
Download the Gender in language education workbook
Online events and webinars
See our free online events and webinars for teachers and teacher educators below.
- Multimodal classrooms – mini event (1 August)
This event on 1 August 2024 will feature two webinars and a panel discussion that look at practical classroom activities that use a multimodal approach to increase learner engagement. Our speakers will explore multimodal assessments and how they can be used effectively with your learners. You will also learn how to use different media and technology to create more engaging classroom activities.
Schedule and speakers
10.00–13.30 (UK time)
10.00–11.00: How can we design multimodal assessment tasks? (Judit Kormos and Tineke Brunfaut, UK)
11.15–12.15: How can we make engaging listening activities with technology? (Chiara Bruzzano, Italy)
12.30–13.30: Panel discussion: How do we integrate digital tools? (Nour Al-Huda, Saudi Arabia; Agnieszka Burzyńska, Poland; Mary Rose Banaag Soriano, Philippines)
Find out more and register for this online event.- AI for learning – mini event (11 September)
This event focuses on how to use AI to personalise learning and get students involved in designing their own learning experiences. You will also learn practical ways to use AI tools to enhance your learners' language skills and boost their creativity.
Schedule and speakers
10.00–13.30 (UK time)
10.00–11.00: How can AI enhance learning experiences? (Joe Dale, UK)
11.15–12.15: How can we co-design learning experiences with our students? (Josh Underwood, Spain)
12.30–13.30: Panel discussion: How are teachers using AI tools? (Pilar Capaul, Argentina; Iman Hassan Zain, Egypt)
Find out more and register for this online event.- Supporting teacher development through the effective use of social media groups (8 August)
Please note, the content of this webinar is not aimed at teachers and is specifically for teacher educators who have a role in supporting the professional development of teachers.
Social media is a source of and a space for teacher and teacher educator learning and exchange. How do teachers and teacher educators view the value of social media? How as teacher educators can we encourage sustained and meaningful engagement with virtual networks and communities of practice for teacher professional development purposes?- Artificial intelligence in teacher education: Lessons and practices from a community of practice for teacher educators (17 September)
Please note, the content of this webinar is not aimed at teachers and is specifically for teacher educators who have a role in supporting the professional development of teachers.
More details about this event coming soon.
12.00–13.15 (UK time)
Find out more and register for this online event- Facebook and Instagram Live events in August and September 2024
Join our online community of more than four million teachers worldwide. We will be hosting weekly events throughout August and September via our Facebook and Instagram channels.
These 30-minute 'live' sessions are a great opportunity for you to join teachers from around the world.
Engage with English language teaching experts and community members on a range of topics and themes to help you develop your teaching skills, and share ideas and questions with a vibrant global online community.
See what's happening in our community on Facebook
See what's happening in our community on Instagram
For the classroom
See a selection of lesson plans below that you can use to focus on our technology theme or United Nations special days in August and September in your language teaching classrooms.
- My AI teacher
Title of lesson plan: My AI teacher
Age group: Secondary and adults
Level: A1 and above
This lesson looks at how AI can be used by learners to help develop the level of their English.- What is AI?
Title of lesson plan: What is AI?
Age group: Secondary and adults
Level: B1 and above
In this lesson, learners will find out more about different types of AI and discuss how it might change their lives in the future.- The risks and benefits of AI
Title of lesson plan: The risks and benefits of AI
Age group: Secondary and adults
Level: B1 and above
In this lesson, learners discuss the benefits and risks of AI for society in general, as well as for learning English.- AI and ethics in education
Title of lesson plan: AI and ethics in education
Age group: Secondary and adults
Level: B2 and C1 level
In this lesson, learners will discuss the use of AI in education and some of the ethical issues involved.- World's Indigenous Peoples Day (09 August)
Title of lesson plan: Star stories
Age group: Primary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson can be used to celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August or at any time of the year. August 9 is the day we celebrate the people of the world who live in traditional ways and who speak their own languages.- International Youth Day (12 August)
Title of lesson plan: Young market traders
Age group: Secondary
Level: A2 and above
Young market traders is a complete set of teaching resources designed around interesting and unusual photographs, with activities to activate your learners' higher-level critical-thinking skills.- World Humanitarian Day (19 August)
Title of lesson plan: Kindness calendar
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
This lesson looks at the theme of kindness and involves creating a 'kindness calendar'.- International Day of Charity (5 September)
Title of lesson plan: Charities
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
In this lesson learners imagine the class has a sum of money to donate to a charity. They work in groups to decide which of four charities they should give the money to.- International Literacy Day (8 September)
Title of lesson plan: International Literacy Day
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson plan, which looks at ideas related to International Literacy Day on 8 September, is written by Daniel Xerri and comes from chapter five of the book Integrating global issues in the creative English language classroom: With reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by Alan Maley and Nik Peachey.- International Day of Democracy (15 September)
Title of lesson plan: Politics and youth
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson gives learners the opportunity to find out about the political system in the UK and to discuss the attitude of many young people towards politics.- International Day of Peace (21 September)
Title of lesson plan: Peacemakers and peace-breakers
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
Use this lesson in face-to-face or online teaching to promote the values of peace, respect and tolerance in your primary classroom.- World Tourism Day (27 September)
Title of lesson plan: Staycations
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
Learners are introduced to the idea of ‘staycations’. There is a speaking task where they discuss the benefits of this type of holiday and a mingling activity where they can find out about their classmates' experiences. Learners will also practise reading, writing and giving opinions in this integrated lesson plan, as well as designing their ideal staycation.
Podcast episodes
See all our podcast episodes connected to August and September's themes below.
- TeachingEnglish podcast: What is the impact of artificial intelligence on English language teaching?
In this episode, we discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on English language teaching. We start by discussing what AI is and its potential to make our lives as teachers easier. We talk to Svetlana Kandybovich, an AI educator and expert from Montenegro, about the pros and cons of AI. Svetlana emphasises the importance of human reasoning and the role of the teacher in the learning process. We then talk to EdTech expert Raquel Ribeiro, who shares her experience and practical tips to help teachers integrate AI and develop AI literacy in their students.
Listen to the episode and download the show notes- TeachingEnglish podcast: How can we use virtual reality to teach English?
In recent times, the influence of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the metaverse in our daily lives has increased. This influence has also been very noticeable in English language teaching in many parts of the world. In this episode, we talk to Nergiz Kern, a leading expert in this field, who talks to us about the past, present and future of these educational technologies. She shares with us advice about how we can get the most out of VR in the classroom with whatever resources we have, wherever in the world we may be. You can find out more about Nergiz's work and research into VR here: https://nergizkern.com/virtual-reality/
Listen to the episode and download the show notes
Publications, research and insight
See publications related to August and September's themes below.
- Integrating ICT self-study booklet
This self-study guide for teachers and teacher educators looks at Integrating ICT. It forms part of a series of self-study booklets, in which teachers and teacher educators will find useful theory and practice for teaching English effectively, including short case studies and professional development activities to do individually and with colleagues.
Integrating ICT self-study booklet- Innovations in learning technologies for English language teaching
Innovations in learning technologies for English language teaching starts by considering the following contexts of language learning: primary, secondary and adult learners, then different specialist areas: Business English, English for Specific Purposes and English for Academic Purposes, and finally the assessment of language using technology. Each chapter embeds a number of real-life case studies into a framework of research. The chapters show some of the development of the field, and a wide range of technologies is covered.
Innovations in learning technologies for English language teaching- Guide for teacher educators: How to support teachers online
What insight does recent academic and professional literature provide into the competences that English language teacher educators need to work effectively online?
According to a sample of English language teacher educators, what competences do they utilise and wish to develop further in supporting teachers online?
Guide for teacher educators: How to support teachers online- Artificial intelligence and English language teaching: Preparing for the future
How is artificial intelligence (AI) being used for English language teaching and learning (ELT/L) worldwide? What are the opportunities, issues and challenges? Educational technology experts working with the British Council looked at the current literature and consulted a range of people to understand their views on this subject.
Artificial intelligence and English language teaching: Preparing for the future- Resilience and language teacher development in challenging contexts: Supporting teachers through social media
This case study focused on the role of WhatsApp use and developing teacher resilience by forming teacher communities of practice. This work built on prior activity taking place in teacher associations in three sub-Saharan countries – Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Rwanda – and sought to both develop good practices in using WhatsApp for distance teacher development as well as engage in collaborative research.
Resilience and language teacher development in challenging contexts: supporting teachers through social media- Creating and running successful online groups for teacher development
Whether you aim to support local educators or connect with peers globally, this is a comprehensive guide on how to start up and manage successful online teacher development groups. Designed for educators worldwide, this toolkit offers the resources to help you create engaged and sustainable online communities for continuous professional growth.
Creating and running successful online groups for teacher development- Improving teacher development through the effective use of social media groups
The trend for using social media for teacher development started before the Covid-19 pandemic but has now become a far more common and established practice. This report explains why the use of social media is an important tool for teacher development and looks at how online learning theories may be applied to this kind of teacher education.
Improving teacher development through the effective use of social media groups
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