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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using authentic materials
Read about using authentic materials with learners of all levels.
Pathways: Understanding your context
Explore free tools and resources carefully chosen to help you understand your context and make your teaching relevant and appropriate for your classroom, your learners and your education system.
Pathways: Using 21C skills or core skills
Explore this ready-made pathway of free tools and resources to help you in using 21C skills/core skills.
Assessing learning – webinars
Watch a recording of two practical webinars focusing on meaningful assessment and effective feedback in language learning.
Pathways: Using inclusive practices
Explore this ready-made pathway of free tools and resources to help you use inclusive practices in your teaching.