Friday 01 June 2018

The British Council and Academy Award® winning studio Aardman, famous for producing films such as Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, are launching a new and distinctive educational online series for early years English language learners.

Learning Time with Timmy, featuring Timmy the lamb from the Shaun the Sheep Movie, is an animated series based on a curriculum developed by the British Council.

New episodes will be uploaded weekly to a dedicated YouTube channel. Each episode is based on tried-and-tested lesson plans used in immersive Timmy-themed venues around the world.

The 26 Learning Time with Timmy episodes will feature alongside fun and informative bonus content.

Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser at the British Council, said: “Parents can enjoy the Learning Time with Timmy online series with their children and be reassured that it draws on the British Council’s expertise in teaching English and has real educational value.

“What’s special about the series is that the episodes are adapted from our real-life lessons in the classroom, and we know the simple, interactive format means it’s beneficial to very young children whether they be native or non-native speakers learning English.”

Annoula Peppas, Head of Global Early Years & Primary Portfolio at the British Council, said: “We are delighted to continue our successful collaboration with Aardman with the launch of this fun and engaging online series. Learning Time with Timmy showcases the very best of the UK’s creative talent, while utilising the British Council’s language teaching expertise to reach young children around the world.”

Sean Clarke, Head of Rights & Brand Development at Aardman, said: “Aardman’s partnership with the British Council is unique; we are first to the market in combining world renowned characters and award-winning animation with the world’s premier supplier of English Language learning.  With the Learning Time with Timmy series, we wanted to create high quality, platform-led learning content that could be enjoyed by children and their parents all around the world.” 

The new online animated series is the latest addition to the innovative Learning Time with Timmy portfolio, delivering English language learning for two to six year olds around the world.

The portfolio includes courses taught in immersive Timmy-themed venues around the world and three apps designed to develop cognitive skills and English language development in young children.

Check out the Learning Time with Timmy YouTube channel.

Find out more about the Learning Time with Timmy portfolio

Notes to Editor

For further information, images and interview requests, please contact Andrew Willard, Press Officer, British Council on andrew.willard@britishcouncil.org or 0207 389 4518.

About Learning Time with Timmy

Aardman and the British Council joined forces in 2014 to create Learning Time with Timmy – a multi-dimensional learning experience to help children aged 2-6 around the world to learn the English language. The British Council developed a Learning Time with Timmy course which is taught in immersive Timmy-themed venues around the world. The portfolio also includes three apps designed to develop cognitive skills and English language development in young children, as well as an online course for parents and educators on how to support language learning in young children. The animated online series is the latest extension of the Learning Time with Timmy brand, launching on YouTube in June 2018.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org

About Aardman

Aardman, based in Bristol (UK) co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, series, advertising and digital entertainment for both the domestic and international market. Their multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio’s work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercial productions www.aardman.com