If you want to deepen your understanding of your learners, this is the perfect place to get started.
The free tools and resources below have been carefully chosen to help you:
- develop an awareness of the diversity within your group of learners in terms of their cultural, social and educational background, their learning goals and any special educational needs
- identify the existing knowledge, skills and abilities of your learners as well as their common interests, learning preferences and levels of autonomy
- use your learner awareness and understanding to make informed decisions about your teaching practice and set realistic goals to fulfil your learners' potential.
There is no set order for the resources below. Choose what to do according to the time you have and the topics that are most interesting for you.
- Video: English Teaching Talks: Inclusion (4 minutes)
Susan Douglas introduces this series of six short videos explaining how teachers can make their own contribution to the United Nations 'Sustainable Development Goal 4' about inclusion. She highlights that inclusive behaviours come from inclusive values, which teachers can model and encourage in class, and she gives practical examples to help teachers on this journey.
- Article: Counselling learners (10 minutes)
This article looks at why counselling learners is important and suggests ways it can be incorporated into a course as well as effective techniques you can use to get the most out of your counselling sessions.
- Article: How can I support learners with SEND in my classroom? (10 minutes)
This article gives an overview of some of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) that your learners may have and provides some practical suggestions and techniques for supporting them in the classroom.
Click here to read the article on supporting learners with SEND.
- Publication: Innovations in English language teaching for migrants and refugees (120 minutes)
Edited by David Mallows, this collection of 14 chapters brings a wealth of ideas and ELT practices for children, teenagers and adults in this diverse group of learners. It provides accounts of innovative experiences from a range of national and international contexts, written from the perspective of those who work with and teach migrants and refugees.
- Podcast: How can I motivate my students? (30 minutes)
In this podcast (series 3: episode 8), Liam Printer, an expert in motivation in language teaching, explains the different types of motivation and how we can help learners to really enjoy learning, while Azadeh Moladoost, a PhD researcher on teacher motivation, gives tips on how teachers can stay motivated, even when faced with restrictions within the classroom.
- Podcast: How can I support my own and my students' well-being? (25 minutes)
This podcast (series 1: episode 9) provides teachers with a set of well-being activities, created as part of the British Council's Connecting Classrooms programme, and Sarah Mercer, teacher trainer, author and researcher, discusses how classrooms can become places where mental well-being is not only maintained but even improved.
- Webinar: Accessibility in the multi-level classroom (60 minutes)
In this webinar, Emily Bryson talks about specific learning differences and ways to overcome barriers to learning, such as developing literacy and digital skills. She also shares simple teaching activities and tips that have made her own lessons more accessible.
As you watch the webinar, make notes: which of these ideas could you use with your classes, and why?
After watching the webinar, share your answer to the discussion question in the comments section below.
If you watch the recording and comment on it, we'll be happy to send you the link to an attendance certificate for the session.
- Webinar: Social and emotional learning in classroom management (60 minutes)
In this webinar, Anna Hasper talks about how the integration of social and emotional strategies for all ages can help create a structured, emotionally managed learning environment. She also shares a range of social-emotional infused activities for effective classroom management that not only facilitate the learning process but help to make life easier for teachers too!
- Lesson plans (45–90 minutes)
My family (A1 level – primary)
This lesson focuses on typical family-related vocabulary, but provides learners with images of different family structures that might better reflect their own, allowing them to feel more comfortable describing their own family situation.
Challenges at school (B1 level – secondary)
This lesson encourages learners to reflect on challenges some of them might face at school and provides them with language to share common problems, empathise with others and suggest possible solutions.
Challenges at school teaching materials
Identity (C1 level – adults)
This lesson focuses on the criteria people use to define themselves and others. The video looks at common stereotypes and leads to a general discussion about identity and social norms in the past, present and future.
- Workbook: Understanding your learners
If you want to develop further in Understanding your learners, this workbook will help you take your skills to the next level. It's designed to help you create a regular learning habit and apply what you've learned in the classroom. You'll find an overview of the theme and recommended learning materials. You'll also find support to reflect on and personalise your learning. You can use the workbook in different ways – do what works for you! We hope you find it beneficial.