A teacher grading tests in a classroom

Professional development

Professional development is vital for all. TeachingEnglish supports your growth in English language teaching, whether you are a teacher, teacher educator, academic manager, researcher or materials writer.

Here you will find free, self-access, online training and resources designed to develop the skills and knowledge you need as an English language professional.

Our professional development resources are organised by audience (teachers or teacher educators), professional practices and professional development level. The professional practices and professional development levels align with the British Council’s Continuing Professional Development Frameworks for teachers and teacher educators. These two unique frameworks, and the professional practices within them, address the skills and knowledge English language professionals need in their day-to-day working lives and throughout their careers.

young Asian woman in a wheelchair typing on a laptop in a bright room
Article
Understanding my professional identity

How to be a great online learner

Do you have the habits of a great online learner? This printable checklist is based on five key principles to help you learn effectively online.

Group of young teenagers working together on a project
Webinar
Knowing the subject

Knowing the subject – webinars

Join us on 17 July 2026 for three webinars packed with ideas for helping learners turn language knowledge into real communication.

Group of secondary-aged learners working together to complete a task. The group has learners of different genders and ethnic backgrounds.
Enrol now
Course
CEFR level Engagement
Course duration 9–12 hours
Knowing the subject
Planning lessons and courses

TeachingEnglish: Communicative tasks

Create meaningful, communicative tasks that promote learner autonomy and purposeful language use. This new course is open now – enrol until 23 September 2026.

boy and girl laughing and writing on a blackboard
Enrol now
Course
CEFR level Understanding
Course duration 9–12 hours
Knowing the subject

TeachingEnglish: Understanding language systems

Develop your understanding of functional language and grammar and learn how to apply this knowledge to your teaching through reflection, analysis and effective presentation of use and form. Understanding language systems is open now – enrol until 23 September 2026.

A group of primary-aged learners in a classroom sitting at desks. A White teacher is giving a Black learner a high-five.
Enrol now
Course
CEFR level Understanding
Course duration 9–12 hours
Understanding my learners
Assessing learning

Teaching English in primary

Discover how primary children learn and apply this understanding to your classroom practice. Explore the role of assessment in the primary classroom and learn engaging, age-appropriate strategies for learner evaluation. Teaching English in primary is open now – enrol until 23 September 2026.

Female teacher working at table with teenage learners.
Webinar
Understanding my professional identity
Using inclusive practices
Using multilingual practices

South Asia TeachingEnglish Online Conference 2026

Join us on 23, 24 and 25 July for the South Asia TeachingEnglish Online Conference 2026. The conference theme is Creative teaching, creative learning: Embedding creativity in teaching, inclusive practice and digital integration.