British Council to launch new courses

CHENNAI: British Council, which operates as a division of the British High Commission in India, is launching two new courses in teaching TKT and IELTS ­in Chennai and Hyderabad. Addressing the media Paul Sellers, director, South India, said, “TheTKT course can be used as preparation for the Cambridge TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) exams or as a standalone teacher training course. It will help those who teach, or would like to teach, English to all age ranges and levels, improve their classroom practice.”The first course will cover a module on language and background to language learning and teaching for 28 hours over seven weeks. While the second course will cover lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching and selection and use of resources and materials. The course is a package offer along with the Cambridge TKT exam also administered by the British Council and TKT trainees are given a discounted exam fee. There will be a special launch offer discount on course fee for trainees registering in the first term. The courses start from May 30 in Chennai and Hyderabad. The timing is 5.15 pm to 7.15 pm.‘’We are very proud to offer our expertise as a global leader in English language teacher training by introducing our TKT and IELTS train the trainer courses,” said Beth Caldwell, academic manager of the teaching centre at the British Council, Chennai.British Council’s 18-hour Train the Trainer course for IELTS trainers, delivered over three days, will help trainers better prepare their candidates for success in the IELTS exam. The course is delivered by experienced IELTS trainers and explores the latest methodology and classroom techniques to make training courses interactive and effective. They will also be provided with professionally developed materials which cater to their needs. The course will launch in June in Chennai and in August in Hyderabad. The first term starts from June 11.Both courses require the trainees to have a strong B1 (Intermediate) level or higher to join the course. The BC Chennai Teaching Centre is also launching Regular Young Achievers courses for eight to 12 year olds. Chris Brandwood, First Secretary English Language Education ,British Council Division Delhi said, “BC is committed to creating opportunities for more widespread and better quality teaching and learning of English in India. These courses provide an excellent chance for teachers and learners to enhance their skills through the most up to date materials and methodologies.”