Multiple regions | British Council

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Language testing as cultural relations

Explore how the British Council’s work in testing and assessment has contributed to the organisation’s cultural relations agenda.

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Scoring second language spoken and written performance: issues, options and directions

Speaking and writing are key skills in language learning, but scoring these performances is complex and has attracted a lot of attention in both first and second language learning contexts.

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Soft power and cultural relations in a time of crisis

How do leading countries soft power approaches differ and what seems to work best? This report examines the institutional landscape and global presence of different international bodies.

Cities and everyday ‘endotic’ cultural relations

Essay discussing cultural relations as a fluid experience within cities.

The shape of global higher education research series

This research series was developed to serve policy makers and professionals working in international HE.

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Validity: Theoretical development and integrated arguments

A deep dive into what makes a test valid, from theory to real-world practice, highlighting the evidence needed to prove test quality.

A close up image of a pair of hands, which are now a deep dark blue from working with natural dyes as part of the weaving process.

The Missing Pillar – Culture's Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

A tool to deepen understanding of the link between arts, culture and social and economic development. Learn more about culture's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Arts, Culture and Development – The Tricky Balancing Act

A new thought piece written by The Change Collective to explore the links between UK arts and international development from a practitioner’s point of view.

Two people admiring the street artwork of a young female in a wheelchair in bright colours- commissioned as part of the Accessibility Film Festival in Turkey

Nurturing a Creative Economy

Alongside dynamic ODA funding eligible countries, the UK can co-develop new approaches to the creative economy to ensure significant economic, social and cultural value is made and shared.

United Nations COVID-19 Response cartoon of people from different countries all wearing face masks bearing national flags – representing how COVID-19 is a global problem

COVID-19 and soft power

Amidst an international public health crisis made more complicated by escalating great power rivalries we consider the implications of COVID-19 for the soft power of China, the USA and UK.