The awards, to be held in Central London May 23, will recognise published ELT products and services developed either in the UK or overseas. The Council said the inclusion of international ELT professionals reflected the increased mobility and globalisation in the sector.

“The ELTons are a wonderful opportunity to showcase innovative ELT products and creative ELT authors from around the world, and we are very proud to be able to bring the ELT community together to celebrate innovation in our profession,” said Michael Carrier, head of English Language Innovation at the British Council.

A shortlist of 38 providers (see below) was released this week, featuring big names such as Pearson ELT,  EF and Bell, as well as niche providers such as Yellow House Ltd, Terakki Foundation Schools and Stealth Education. All will be judged on educational resources they have created, such as English learning apps, books, websites and other learning tools.

The Council said there would be five new award categories this year: Excellence in Course Innovation, Innovation in Learner Resources, Innovation in Teacher Resources, Digital Innovation and Local Innovation.

The event also features the Macmillan Education Award for Innovative Writing, which gives previously unpublished ELT writers the opportunity to have their work published, and the British Council Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises seminal figures in the sector.

On the latter Carrier said: “This is an important award as it enables all of us in the ELT profession to highlight and celebrate the achievements of those who came before us – the experts, writers, academics and professionals who helped to build ELT into the powerhouse that it is today.”

There will be one winner in each category, with each receiving a £1,000 cash prize along with an ELTon statuette.

See the ELTons 2012 shortlist [more>>]