Enrich Your English, a service that teaches customers a new word in the language every day through their mobile phone, has been shortlisted for the prestigious ELTon Awards (British Council Innovation Awards), in the International category.

Enrich Your English is developed by Avon Mobility Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (India) based in Chennai.

Among the other innovative nominees this year are resources that allow pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate in plain English, teach the language through the tasty delights of cooking, and aid schoolchildren in Mongolia.

The ELTons, now in their seventh year, are a celebration of excellence in ELT, recognising significant and innovative advances in the theory of ELT learning, teaching and research.

The International category was introduced last year and continues to thrive with an increase in research submissions and entries from Poland, Spain, Bahrain, Cyprus, India and Mongolia.

There are twelve entries short listed for an award in the UK category and six in the International category by a panel of expert judges, based on innovation, effectiveness and practicality. From these, three winners will be announced in the UK category and one winner in the International category at a prestigious ceremony in London on 4 March 2009.

Each of the winners will receive £1,000 cash prize along with the much sought after ELTon statuette.

Michael Carrier, Head English Language Innovation within the English and Exams department at the British Council says: “The ELTons exist to celebrate and reward the innovative and effective ELT resources from around the world. It is exciting and encouraging that year on year the entries not only get stronger, but continue to stem from all corners of the world. Our professional panel of judges is busy meticulously assessing each of the shortlisted products. I’m looking forward to finding out who the winners will be!”

The winners of the 7th ELTon awards will be presented by Lord Kinnock, Chair of the British Council, at a ceremony at the Delfina Gallery, 50 Bermondsey Street SE1 3UD, on 4 March 2009. The award is sponsored by University of Cambridge ESOL.