Professional development for teachers
Here you’ll find a wide range of free, self-access training and resources designed to help you build the skills and knowledge you need as an English teacher.
All TeachingEnglish professional development resources are aligned with the British Council Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework for teachers, to help you plan your learning and develop the areas most relevant to your professional growth.
You can explore resources in a way that suits your goals:
- by professional practices – to focus on specific areas of teaching where you want to deepen your skills and expertise
- by professional development levels – to find resources matched to your training and experience and see how they can help you progress within each area.
Each resource includes a timer icon to show how much time you’ll need, helping you plan your learning effectively.
Managing the lesson
Setting up in the young learner classroom
This article looks at the techniques involved in setting up tasks in the young learner classroom with suggestions of how to implement them.
Article
Managing the lesson
An introduction to reluctant talkers
Being faced with a class which won't speak can be very disappointing after all your planning. When there are rows of blank faces or questions that nobody will answer it can demotivating.
Article
Managing the lesson
Establishing the ground rules
Good classroom management skills are essential to the smooth and efficient running of any classroom.
Article
Managing the lesson
Managing reluctant talkers to get them speaking
This article explores how you can get the best out of your learners by managing what you do in the classroom.
Planning lessons and courses
Lesson planning
Planning lessons on your own for the first time can seem like a daunting task. This article offers practical advice on how to stage the lesson and choose topics, and what to do if you run out of time or material.
Planning lessons and courses
Course planning
Being able to plan an individual lesson, a scheme of work, or a course well, is one of the key skills that a teacher needs to have.
Planning lessons and courses
Managing the lesson
Lesson plans
Why should I write a plan? The best option is always to be prepared. Once you have prepared your lesson you will feel much more confident walking into the classroom and you will soon be able to relax.
Planning lessons and courses
The basics of lesson planning
Planning is one of those essential skills of the competent teacher, that develops over time. This article highlights why planning is important and what to consider when planning lessons.
Planning lessons and courses
The elements of a lesson plan
Part one of this article The basics of lesson planning outlined the rationale behind lesson planning. This article looks at some of the elements to consider when planning an actual lesson.
Planning lessons and courses
Managing the lesson
Using authentic materials
Read about using authentic materials with learners of all levels.