The annual British Council ELTons took place in London last week, recognising and awarding innovation and excellence in the English Language Teaching sector internationally.
Top winners included Keynote, a programme that brings TED talks to classrooms, and a lifetime achievement recognition to ELT author, Catherine Walter.
Run in collaboration with Cambridge English Language Assessment, guests gathered at a swanky central London venue to celebrate the awards, which are now in their 14th year.
The prizes were presented across six categories including digital innovation and excellence in learner resources, with Alan Maley, a previous ELTon lifetime achievement award winner, hosting the evening.
“The English language teaching sector is finding ever more innovative ways to improve English language teaching and learning for today’s global economy”
“This year’s awards reflect that the English language teaching sector is finding ever more innovative ways to improve English language teaching and learning for today’s global economy,” said Anna Searle, director English language at the British Council.
“We’ve seen resources addressing the needs of learners and teachers across contexts, from international students in their first year of study to those in low-resource classrooms across Africa, as well as using feature films, TED talks and video in the classroom.”
Bringing TED talks in to the classroom is the feature of Keynote, winner of the Excellence in Course Innovation award. Students using this programme can explore the stories presented in the online videos and subsequently learn to express themselves more confidently and effectively.
“A theme emerging is the use of life-changing and personal human stories and authentic voices to enrich students’ skills for work, study and life,” said Searle.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Catherine Walter, most recognised in ELT for publishing a number of resources, including The Cambridge English Course, and The Good Grammar Book. She was also appointed the first female chair of IATEFL.
The Winners
Excellence in Course Innovation Award
Keynote by Paul Dummett, Lewis Lansford and Helen Stephenson – National Geographic Learning with Cengage Learning
Innovation in Learner Resources Award
Literacy for Active Citizenship by Rose Ades, Tinhinane Cheloul, Ilham Sadi, Nazma Shaheen, Lee Yoon Teng, Valona Renner-Thomas and other contributors – Learning Unlimited Ltd
Innovation in Teacher Resources Award
Digital Video – A manual for language teachers by Nik Peachey – Peachey Publications
Digital Innovation Award
Movies – Enjoy Languages by the ‘Movies team’ of Archimedes Inspiration, a.s. – Archimedes Inspiration a.s.
Local Innovation Award
Teaching English in Africa by Jason Anderson, Kiarie Kamau, Benson Misco Shiholo, Dr Lillian Kaviti, Serah Muchai – East African Educational Publishers Ltd.
The MacMillan Education Award for New Talent in Writing
Academic English for the 21st Century Learner by Aylin Graves
The ELTons Lifetime Achievement Award
Catherine Walter
