A diverse group of young adult learners working together on a laptop at a large desk

Knowing the subject

In this section you can find useful articles, webinars, publications and tips to help you develop in the professional practice of 'Knowing the subject'.

With Knowing the subject, teacher educators need:

proficiency in the subject, such as communicating effectively in English
explicit knowledge about language systems, such as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
subject–specific theoretical knowledge regarding teaching methods, student learning and assessment
knowledge of a wide range of current teaching and learning resources (print and digital) that are available in the subject area
awareness of key themes and findings in current research and professional debates in the subject area

Find useful resources

Climate change and girls' education: School resource pack

This resource pack offers English language teachers practical materials to help learners discover why climate change and girls' education are closely connected.

Climate change and girls' education: School resource pack

Publication

two diverse woman and girl activists working together to plant a tree

World Teachers' Day 2025 Saturday 11 October

Watch the recordings from the final day of our World Teachers' Day conference. Christopher Graham inspires you to teach for a world that cares for the environment and society, and expert teachers from around the world focus on two themes: climate action and how to improve your learners' speaking and vocabulary skills. The live event took place on Saturday 11 October 2025.

World Teachers' Day 2025 Saturday 11 October

Webinar

Mexican teacher looking at the camera whilst standing in front of his classroom of young learners

TeachingEnglish: How to teach writing

Improve your learners' writing skills by exploring the subskills that make good writers, and ways of developing them in the classroom. This course is open now – enrol until 24 March.

TeachingEnglish: How to teach writing

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 03/10/25
End: 31/03/26

TeachingEnglish: How to teach vocabulary

Help your learners notice, record, recycle and use new vocabulary more confidently with engaging classroom activities. This course is open now – enrol until 24 March.

TeachingEnglish: How to teach vocabulary

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 03/10/25
End: 31/03/26

A White primary-aged learner with Down’s Syndrome has his hand up in a classroom.

TeachingEnglish: Communication skills

Enhance your learners' communication skills with engaging, practical classroom activities that build a clear understanding of effective dialogue. Communication skills will open on 1 April 2026 and will be open for enrolment soon.

TeachingEnglish: Communication skills

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 01/01/25
End: 31/03/25

Four young learners sitting in a group, talking

TeachingEnglish: How to teach pronunciation

Increase your understanding of phonology and your ability to support learners with effective pronunciation activities in the classroom. How to teach pronunciation will open on 8 April 2026, and will open for enrolment soon.

TeachingEnglish: How to teach pronunciation

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 02/10/24
End: 30/11/24

Teacher demonstrating pronunciation of a sound.

TeachingEnglish: How to teach listening

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. How to teach listening will open on 8 April 2026, and will open for enrolment soon.

TeachingEnglish: How to teach listening

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 10/10/23
End: 30/11/23

Primary-aged learners in a classroom, listening to a teacher and copying their actions.

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 will open on 1 July 2026, and will open for enrolment soon.

TeachingEnglish: Understanding language systems

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 01/07/26
End: 30/09/26

boy and girl laughing and writing on a blackboard

TeachingEnglish: Communicative tasks

Create meaningful, communicative tasks that promote learner autonomy and purposeful language use. This new course will open on 1 July 2026, and will open for enrolment soon.

TeachingEnglish: Communicative tasks

Certificate

Online community

Workbook

Start: 01/07/26
End: 30/09/26

9-12 hours

Group of secondary-aged learners working together to complete a task. The group has learners of different genders and ethnic backgrounds.

Call for speakers 2026–2027

We're looking for talented classroom practitioners from all over the world to give live webinars in 2026–27! If you're a great speaker with innovative ideas for teaching English or supporting teacher educators, find out how to apply here.

Call for speakers 2026–2027

An Asian teachers leans over to help some learners in his classroom whilst the other students work in a group

Managing the lesson – webinars

Join us on 16 January to learn practical strategies to manage classroom learning effectively. You can watch the event live on Facebook or YouTube or register to join us on Zoom.

Managing the lesson – webinars

Webinar

A diverse group of learners from different countries take part in an animated discussion in a classroom

Teaching for equality – webinars

Join us on 20 February to get practical ideas and tips about how to teach for equality. You can watch the event live on Facebook or YouTube or register to join us on Zoom.

Teaching for equality – webinars

Webinar

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight