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'.

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

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.

Webinar

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.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 03/10/25
End: 31/03/26

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.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 03/10/25
End: 31/03/26

Discover learner insights into how bilingual education in Spain strengthens students' language skills, global mobility, employability, and intercultural awareness.

Publication

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. Enrolment for How to teach speaking is closed. Find resources connected to the course contents on this page, and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on when our courses open.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 03/04/25
End: 30/09/25

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