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      Seminars

      These seminars encourage debate on areas of contemporary interest in the field of English language teaching and learning. The series combines informal networking events with more formal workshops and presentations.

      You can find out about upcoming events on this page or by following us on Twitter

      Watch the seminars

      See video Touchable Dreams 2

      This is the second time Jeremy Harmer and Steve Bingham have performed at BC Seminars, with the distinctive mix of poetry, music and language learning. 

      See video EAP: how is it different from other forms of ELT?

      Trained and experienced ELT teachers sometimes report feeling deskilled when they first teach EAP. They may be unaware that the criteria they normally apply to identify needs or evaluate lessons...

      See video Videotelling

      In this seminar, Jamie Keddie shares a classroom technique for bringing storytelling to the YouTube generation.

      You can read a report of the seminar...

      See video Using cinema to engage young people with citizenship

      This presentation, with James Clarke, explores ways of applying cinema, and potentially filmmaking, to the classroom as a means of enhancing student engagement with issues of citizenship and self...

      See video What matters in grammar teaching

      The full title of this seminar is 'Some things that matter in grammar teaching, and some that don't'. Michael Swan looks at the theory and practice of grammar, and its role in the classroom.

      ...
      See video How technology can revolutionise the way we give feedback

      Russell Stannard outlines some changes that technology is driving in English language teaching, particularly in EAP.

      See video Motivating the unmotivated

      What makes your students want to come to your class? This seminar, with Ken Wilson, outlines ten ways to create an atmosphere that makes them want to do just that.

      You can read a report of...

      See video Language and literacy as social practice

      Pauline Moon, with over 25 years experience in EFL and ESOL, uses activities and discussion to consider how this idea might help us to support learners to use the culturally situated language and...

      See video Live lesson: dogme

      British Council Seminars' first live lesson was taught by Luke Meddings in November 2011. You can watch footage of the 'dogme' lesson in the first video below, in which Luke demonstrates the...

      See video Surviving as a teacher

      Liam Brown reflects on how you might 'survive' as an English language teacher and work on your own professional development, in this seminar filmed in London.

      You can read a report on the...

      Check our 2012-13 schedule

      Every seminar is free of charge; however places are limited.
       

      2013

      Tuesday 5 March 1830 - 2030 | The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AG London

      Demand High for Teachers and Learners

      Practical ideas for making learning visible and engaging your students' full learning potential.

      Jim Scrivener and Adrian Underhill

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      Tuesday 12 March 1800 - 2030 | British Council | London

      DOUBLE EVENT: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

      A | Psychosocial adjustment of international students in the UK

      How to help students achieve linguistic fluency through positive acculturative experiences - drawing on a survey of international students in London.

      Lee Hawkes

      B | Cultures of learning:What can we learn from international students?

      Developing intercultural awareness of learning and teaching - drawing on a survey of international experiences.

      Lixian Jin and Martin Cortazzi

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      Tuesday 30 April 1800 - 2030 | British Council | London

      DOUBLE EVENT

      A | Spelling myths and enchantments

      Exploring some of the common myths about our spelling and ways we can really help learners improve, including a demonstration of multi-sensory activities for learners of all ages, across contexts.

      Johanna Stirling

      B | A socio-cultural approach to teacher development and education

      Focussing on principles and practices that have at their heart the socio-cultural aspects of learning how to teach.

      Willy Cardoso

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      Tuesday 14 May 1800 - 2030 | Venue TBC | Leeds

      DOUBLE EVENT: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

      A | Changing Englishes and teachers' conceptions of English

      Reflections on teachers' conceptions of global English forms and functions: a debate on new ways of considering the social and cognitive nature of language.

      Christopher J. Hall

      B | Inspiring teachers: State school teachers of English in China and Indonesia who generate long term motivation

      Drawing on an international survey that looks at how teachers inspire their learners and how they learned to be inspiring in challenging circumstances.

      Martin Lamb and Martin Wedell

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