What's happening in April, May and June 2026?
This page gives you an overview of all the activity happening across our TeachingEnglish channels in April, May and June.
For teachers, we'll be focusing on the theme of Understanding my context. For teacher educators, the focus is Planning teacher learning. On this page, you'll find free online training courses, live webinars and other online events, podcast episodes and research – all related to the three-month themes. You'll also find training and resources related to our evergreen themes throughout the year. Learn more about our themes for 2026 by downloading our 2026 theme calendar.
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 April, May and June.
Teacher pathways
Choose from three learning pathways designed to help you take charge of your professional development and advance your career as an English teacher.
- Getting started with understanding your context
Get started with this ready-made pathway of free tools and resources to help you:
- understand and reflect on your context at different levels, from your classroom within your school and community to the education system within your country, and the impact it has on teaching and learning
- understand why people learn English, their attitudes towards it and how this impacts your teaching, and consider the differences between using English for instruction and learning it as a subject
- identify and describe the possibilities and limitations for teaching and learning in your context (e.g. being creative and innovative with the available resources; identifying possibilities to exercise your own agency and decision making; identifying opportunities to work with other subject teachers and/or English language teachers).
Teacher pathways: Getting started with understanding your context
- Going further with understanding your context
If you want to go further with your professional development, this workbook will help you take your skills to the next level. It's designed to help you create a regular learning habit and apply what you've learned in the classroom. You'll find an overview of the theme and recommended learning materials. You'll also find support to reflect on and personalise your learning. You can use the workbook in different ways – do what works for you! We hope you find it beneficial.
Teacher pathways: Going further with understanding your context- Working on understanding your context with others
This group study guide for teachers and teacher educators looks at understanding educational policies and practice. It forms part of a series of group learning 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 with others.
Understanding educational policies and practice group study guide
Online training courses
We have a range of courses running connected to the theme of Understanding my context and our evergreen themes. Live events and discussions related to these courses are hosted in our Courses for teachers community on Facebook and on YouTube. Learn more about our courses for 2026 by downloading our courses calendar. Find answers to our most frequently asked questions about training courses.
Courses connected to Understanding my context
- How to adapt resources – enrol before 23 June (new course)
Learn how to evaluate resources, select and adapt relevant lesson plans for your context and explore how your learners can be powerful resources in the classroom.
- Communication skills – enrol before 23 June
Enhance your learners' communication skills with engaging, practical classroom activities that build a clear understanding of effective dialogue.
- Creative resources for primary – enrol before 23 June
Inspire your primary learners by learning how to make high-quality resources out of creative and sustainable teaching materials. Develop your learners' language and oral skills through effective use of resources such as flashcards, big books and puppets.
Courses connected to evergreen themes
- Integrating digital technologies – enrol before 23 September
Learn how to use digital tools, including AI, to find, evaluate and create digital content and resources that foster inclusion and support learners' collaboration, information literacy and problem-solving skills.
Find out more and enrol on Integrating digital technologies
Download the free Integrating digital technologies workbook- Inclusive classrooms – enrol before 23 September
Make your classes inclusive learning spaces by identifying barriers that can affect learning and practical strategies to overcome them.
Find out more and enrol on Inclusive classrooms
Download the free Inclusive classrooms workbook- Gender in language education (updated) – enrol before 23 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. This course has been updated for 2026–27.
Find out more and enrol on Gender in language education
Download the free Gender in language education workbook- How to teach pronunciation – enrol before 23 September
Increase your understanding of phonology and your ability to support learners with effective pronunciation activities in the classroom.
Find out more and enrol on How to teach pronunciation
Download the free How to teach pronunciation workbook- How to teach listening – enrol before 23 September
Improve your understanding of how people listen and learn to plan effective, engaging listening activities. Explore key listening skills, solve common teaching challenges and develop strategies to support both your learners' and your own active listening.
Find out more and enrol on How to teach listening
Download the free How to teach listening workbook- Assessing learning – enrol before 23 September
Help all your learners benefit from and get actively involved in assessment in the language classroom.
Find out more and enrol on Assessing learning
Download the free Assessing learning workbook- Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners – enrol before 24 March 2027
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.
Find out more and enrol on Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners
Download the free Teaching English to refugees and displaced learners workbook
Courses for teacher educators
- Helping teachers to learn – enrol before 24 March 2027
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.
Find out more and enrol on Helping teachers to learn
Download the free Helping teachers to learn workbook
Online events and webinars
See our free online events and webinars for teachers and teacher educators below.
- Understanding your context – two webinars (17 April)
In the first event in our series of webinars on practical approaches for your teaching context, two of our course tutors will introduce strategies for making your teaching relevant to your learners, your classroom and your wider context. The second session focuses on designing projects that celebrate local culture and cultural exchange while building communication, teamwork and creativity. These activities strengthen learner confidence and place an understanding of culture and context at the heart of your classroom.
Find out more about and register for Understanding your context
You can also join the events on Facebook. No registration is necessary to watch on Facebook.- How schools retain talented and capable teachers – teacher educator webinar (28 April)
Teacher retention remains a pressing challenge in many education systems worldwide. Drawing on research-informed knowledge about teachers' work and lives over the last two decades, this webinar will share fresh insights into the significance of school organisation in retaining teachers. Join us to find out how and why so many teachers are able to remain committed and passionate about making a difference in their classrooms despite working with similar policy, structural and practical challenges that face many schools globally.
Tuesday 28 April 2026, 12.00–13.15 (UK time).
Please note that the content of this webinar is tailored for teacher educators and teachers who are engaged in facilitating the professional development of others.
- How to adapt ELT resources – three webinars (15 May)
More information about this event coming soon.
You can also join the events on Facebook. No registration is necessary to watch on Facebook.- Teacher educator webinar (21 May)
More information about this event coming soon.
- Creative teaching in large, multilevel classes – webinars (12 June)
More information about this event coming soon.
You can also join the events on Facebook. No registration is necessary to watch on Facebook.- Teacher educator webinar (16 June)
More information about this event coming soon.
- Facebook, Instagram and YouTube live events in April, May and June 2026
Join our online community of more than four million teachers worldwide. We will be hosting weekly events throughout April, May and June via our Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 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
See what's happening in our community on YouTube
For the classroom
See a selection of lesson plans below that you can use to focus on United Nations special days in April, May and June in your language teaching classrooms.
- Sports Day for Peace (6 April)
A generation of couch potatoes
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson encourages teenage learners to think about their lifestyle, how often they exercise and whether they are more or less active than their grandparents' generation.Sports in (climate) crisis
Age group: Secondary
Level: C1 and above
Explore links between sport and the climate crisis in this lesson for teenage learners.Sports and hobbies
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
Explore the topic of sports and hobbies, using mini questionnaires, charts and group-work activities with your learners.- World Creativity and Innovation Day (21 April)
Innovation is Great
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson is about innovation and its place in society. It develops reading and speaking skills and the use of context-specific vocabulary. The learners' own experiences and opinions form the basis of all discussion and extension work.Creativity is Great
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson is all about creativity and innovation. Learners start with a discussion about creativity, then read texts about three British inventions of the 20th century. They practise using the past simple and present perfect tenses in the context of their own experiences and achievements.Creativity and innovation
Age group: Secondary
Level: B2 and above
Use this lesson about creativity and innovation with secondary learners at CEFR level B2. Access face-to-face classroom and online teaching versions of the materials.- World English Day (23 April)
Spill the tea: Explaining idioms
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
In this lesson, learners understand how idioms work and learn how to use several popular English idioms.From Ancient Greece to TikTok: The evolution of idioms
Age group: Secondary
Level: B2 and above
In this lesson, learners will find out what some popular English phrases mean and read a text about how idioms change over time and across generations.Stories and poems
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
Here you can find a wide range of ideas for using stories and poems in your primary classroom. All of the materials are based on authentic texts or stories written especially for primary learners. They are designed to engage and motivate children as well as develop their understanding of important themes, and encourage personal, social and emotional development.Stories and poems
Age group: Secondary
Level: A2 and above
Here you can find a wide range of ideas for using stories and poems in your secondary classroom. All of the materials are based on authentic texts or stories written especially for secondary learners. They are designed to engage and motivate teenagers as well as develop their understanding of important themes, and encourage personal, social and emotional development.Shakespeare
Age group: Secondary
Level: A2 and above
Find articles and lesson plans related to the life and work of Shakespeare for you to use in your teenage English language classroom.UK history and literature
Age group: Secondary
Level: A2 and above
Here you can find a wide range of lesson plans dedicated to areas of UK history, literature and culture to use in your secondary classroom.- International Day of Living Together in Peace (16 May)
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 Bee Day (20 May)
World Bee Day
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
Use this lesson plan with your primary learners to help make them aware of the importance of bees as pollinators.- World Environment Day (5 June)
The Climate Connection – Making our school green
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
Use this lesson with your learners to highlight environmental initiatives that can be implemented in your school.The Climate Connection – Power to change
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
Use this lesson with your learners to highlight environmental initiatives that can be implemented in your school.Buy. Use. Toss.
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
Use this lesson with secondary learners at CEFR level B1 to look at the issue of plastic waste.Family footprint
Age group: Secondary
Level: B2 and above
Use this lesson with secondary learners to consider the environmental impacts of our families and homes.- World Refugee Day (20 June)
Home: Welcoming refugees
Age group: Primary
Level: A2 and above
This lesson uses the heartwarming short animation Home by Aardman Animations to explore the experiences of refugee children. It celebrates fun, empathy and friendship in welcoming new classmates from different cultures.What would you ask a refugee?
Age group: Secondary
Level: B2 and above
In this lesson, learners will reflect on what a refugee is and watch a video where different refugees answer questions about their lives and experiences.Refugee poster project
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
Use this lesson to raise your learners' awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.The Windrush generation
Age group: Secondary
Level: B1 and above
This lesson uses a very simple poem to convey the feelings of the Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Britain in the 1940s and 50s.
Podcast episodes
See podcasts connected to the themes below.
- TeachingEnglish podcast: How can I teach refugees, migrants and IDPs effectively?
There are in excess of 85 million displaced people in the world, with children under the age of 18 constituting around half this total. Whether a refugee, migrant or internally displaced person, developing language skills can play a huge role for these individuals – and the host communities in which they live – to withstand challenges, recover from crisis and overcome barriers. The podcast explores the British Council work on Language for Resilience to understand this further. Following on from this, Chris speaks to teacher and trainer Brian Lally about his work and research in Lebanon with Syrian refugees, and identifies some core principles that teachers working in these challenging situations can use.
Listen to How can I teach refugees, migrants and IDPs effectively? and download the show notes- TeachingEnglish podcast: How can I teach effectively in challenging contexts?
In this podcast interview (series 1: episode 6), Mohammed Wais, a coordinator of the NGO 'Wave of Hope' at the Nea Kavala refugee camp in northern Greece, shares his experience of teaching English in this challenging context, providing ideas, initiatives and insights into how teachers can be as effective as possible.
Listen to How can I teach effectively in challenging contexts? and download the show notes
- How can the ELT sector become fairer for all teachers?
This podcast (series 2: episode 9) looks at some areas within the ELT sector in which significant improvements could be made in terms of fairness in working conditions, inclusion in the workplace and gender balance. Rachel Tsateri, a prominent advocate for the rights of non-native-speaking English teachers, draws on her own experience of being discriminated against.
Click here to listen to How can the ELT sector become fairer for all teachers?
Publications, research and insight
See publications related to the themes below.
- Maximising learning in large classes
This 'teacher-friendly' book was written by the tutors of a workshop that focused on teaching large classes in Ethiopia. Part 1 introduces some of the issues involved when teaching large classes, and Part 2 looks at specific activities that are useful in this type of learning environment.
- On language teachers as agents of cultural relations
This essay, commissioned by the British Council, recognises the important role that English teachers across the world play in their communities and education systems and the contribution they make to cultural relations. Pages 9–13 focus on 'agency' and give examples of language teachers' agency in official development assistance (ODA) contexts.
- Evaluating gender equity and equality in the English language teacher curriculum, ICT policies and learning materials
Read about a study of gender equity and equality in English language teacher education across four African countries: Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.
- TeachingEnglish for Indonesia: Supporting local English language teaching
Discover how Indonesian English teachers can adapt global TeachingEnglish resources to align with the national curriculum and local needs.
TeachingEnglish for Indonesia: Supporting local English language teaching
Comments
Thanks
Thanks for sharing your thoughts DK - it sounds like you have thought about your teaching context a lot. We hope you find the resources here useful and that you can join our webinar event this Friday on Understanding your context
Thanks
Cath
TeachingEnglish team
As a teacher, understanding my context is essential for delivering effective and meaningful lessons. My teaching environment includes diverse learners with different backgrounds, language levels, and learning needs. Some students may have limited access to resources or technology, which requires me to adapt my teaching strategies accordingly.
I always try to create a supportive and inclusive classroom where students feel safe and motivated to participate. By understanding their challenges and strengths, I can choose appropriate methods, materials, and activities that suit their context.
Moreover, being aware of cultural and social factors helps me connect better with my students and make learning more relevant to their daily lives. Therefore, understanding my context is the foundation of successful teaching and continuous improvement as an educator.