🌍 What makes us more connected? The power of education, the magic of the arts, or a shared language?
🌟 For 90 years, we have shaped brighter futures. Join us in celebrating our mission to build a more peaceful and prosperous world:
#BritishCouncil90
Racism and prejudice are unacceptable. We support and stand with those who experience hatred and those who work to end it. We strive to bring communities together. We are listening to how we can do better. Together, we must fight these challenges for a more inclusive tomorrow.
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to His Majesty The King and all of the Royal Family at this time of grief.
We are deeply saddened by today’s announcement of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts are with our Patron Her Majesty The Queen, our Vice Patron His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and all of the Royal Family.
Two-thirds of secondary state schools in England teach just one
#ModernForeignLanguage
according to our latest Language Trends report.
We went to a school in Leeds, where pupils learn a range of languages, to ask why they're beneficial. And we did it
#WesAnderson
style.
#MFL
We are pleased to confirm that British Council employee Aras Amiri has been acquitted in Iran of all charges following a successful appeal lodged by her lawyer. She has returned to the UK.
Read the full statement on our website:
The Prince met four 'Green Scholars' from Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey and India who have received scholarships to study climate-related subjects at UK universities, delivered by the British Council as part of Study UK’s GREAT Scholarships for a sustainable future.
#BuildingConnections
The Prince also took part in a virtual
#EnglishOnline
lesson with a class of international students from four countries, and connected with pupils in Scotland and Nepal as part of our
#ConnectingClassrooms
initiative to hear their ideas on combating climate change.
@ClarenceHouse
We're delighted to have welcomed our Vice-Patron HRH The Prince of Wales to our new headquarters in Stratford, London, to meet our Chairman Stevie Spring, CEO Scott McDonald, and colleagues & people from around the world who are part of our global programmes
#BuildingConnections
It's the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on 6 June and we've produced a brilliant education pack, ‘D-Day 80: Remembering the Normandy Landings’, commissioned by
@Britishmemorial
, to help young people learn about this historic event.
Download here:
#DDAY80
‘Roald Dahl’s writing can instil a love of language and wordplay that will stay with children through their lives.’
Celebrate
#RoaldDahlDay
with us by reading about how he uses creative language in his ‘delumptious’ stories.
On 12 March this year it will have been 30 years since the World Wide Web was invented. To mark the anniversary, we are launching Anyone//Anywhere, a season that explores the impact of the web on our lives.
#AnyoneAnywhere
We can now confirm the reports today that the British Council in Russia has been told to cease operations. We are profoundly disappointed at this development. Read more:
We asked people in London to have a go at reading some tongue twisters in European languages to celebrate
#EuropeanDayOfLanguages
.
Which of the tongue twisters are you best at?
It is devastating to see the situation unfolding in Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned, not only for our colleagues and those we have worked with over the last twenty years, but for all the people of Afghanistan. 1/8
🌟 We’re very pleased to announce that His Majesty King Charles III is our new Patron.
Previously, His Majesty served as our Vice Patron from 1984 until his Accession.
One in four people in the UK regret never learning another language, according to our recent survey.
We went out and about in Manchester, asking people what languages do they speak and why is it important to learn a new language?
Watch! 👇
Calling all student journalists! We’re looking for 100 of the world's most talented, motivated and passionate student journalists to attend an intensive media training programme in 2020.
Applications are now open for Future News Worldwide 2020.
#FNW20
Today is World Teachers' Day! We'd like to say 'thank you' to teachers around the world for the important work you do. Which teachers would you like to say thanks to?
#WorldTeachersDay
#WorldOfThanks
Today is
#InternationalTranslationDay
! What do you think makes a good literary translator? We asked two experienced translators in this article from our archive:
We're keeping our distance - two meters at least - but we're staying connected with you online. Look out for helpful
#homeclassroom
tips,
#virtuallearning
resources and engaging arts content from around the world.
#CultureConnectsUs
Today we can announce that British Council will sell our IELTS business in India to IDP. This means that all IELTS tests in India will be delivered by IDP.
UK universities are preparing to welcome new students in autumn
2020. Almost all universities are preparing to deliver some in-person teaching. Some will blend face-to-face teaching with online technology to support student education.
#StudyUK
We’re very pleased to welcome Dr Paul Thompson
@pwthompson_RCA
as our new Chair who will be taking on the role in January 2024.
Dr Thompson's extensive experience in leading educational & cultural institutions will be a huge asset to the work we do, in the UK & across the world.
'Lack of language skills is costing the UK 3.5 per cent of GDP'. Read the interview with Professor Mike Kelly about the
@APPGMFL
report published yesterday: –
#LearnALanguage
Warmest congratulations to Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort on this momentous occasion.
We extend our gratitude to His Majesty for supporting our work in the UK and across the globe as our Vice Patron since 1984.
#Coronation
We’re delighted to announce that Scott McDonald will join the British Council as Chief Executive Officer on 1 September. Scott is currently Chief Executive and President of Oliver Wyman Group and Vice-Chairman of Marsh McLennan.
Are you the future of journalism?
Applications for Future News Worldwide 2020 are now open.
We’re looking for 100 of the world's most talented, motivated and passionate student journalists to attend an intensive media training programme.
#FNW20
More than half the students at Reay Primary School in South London speak two languages. We asked them for their thoughts on language learning. Watch the full video here:
Our English Language Assistants programme is open for applications, offering paid placements teaching English in 14 destinations. Develop your language skills, boost your CV and have the adventure of a lifetime! Eligibility criteria apply:
12-16 November is International Education Week! To celebrate we’ll be highlighting a range of opportunities throughout the week to help you
#BeInternational
.
#IEW2018
It is devastating to see the situation unfolding in Afghanistan. We remain deeply concerned not only for our colleagues and those we have worked with over the last twenty years, but for all the people of Afghanistan.
‘I started out working for one of the well-known English learning centres. I gained valuable skills, experience and confidence, which later enabled me to go it alone.’ From our archive:
Teachers of English, How do you use voice recordings for learning? Louise Spratt shares her favourite activities that use audio made for, and created in, the classroom.
Parents, help your children learn their first words in English with this new YouTube channel! It features stories and activities that will engage your children in learning English. Watch the first episode now:
@aardman
🌍 Why should countries invest in language education?
It can boost job prospects and benefit the economy. Yet, 60% of schools in England struggle to recruit language teachers, according to the latest
#LanguageTrends
England report.
Read the full report:
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was our Patron from 1952 – 2022.
We received tremendous support & encouragement from her for the work we do around the world. Her commitment could be seen in her frequent visits to see our work & meet our colleagues in every region we work in.
Join our Future Leaders Connect members, former UN representatives and the Elders for an evening of debate on human rights issues. We’ll be broadcasting the event via Facebook Live. Click 'going' on the event page to receive reminders:
#HumanRightsLeaders
Today is International Literacy day! To celebrate, here are some tips to help English language learners improve their reading skills. What are your tips for improving reading skills?
#InternationalLiteracyDay
#InternationalLiteracyDay2018
We’re very proud to announce that Stephen Bailey (aka Stephen Stenning), our Director Culture in Action, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list for his work in UK heritage protection efforts overseas. Congratulations! ✨✨✨
#BirthdayHonours
#KingsHonours
What qualities make a good teacher?
#WorldTeachersDay
Find out why Professor Dumbledore was voted the UK's favourite fictional teacher in 2016 and what makes him a great mentor to Harry Potter (from our archive).
Teachers in England are concerned that difficult language exams are deterring students from opting for languages, according to this new survey.
#LanguageTrends
We’re very proud to announce that two of our colleagues have received honorary MBEs from His Majesty The King for their exceptional service to the UK! ✨✨✨
#KingsHonours
We are excited to launch
#GoingGlobal2020
: Social Distancing Edition. This June, we are hosting virtual events with sector experts and sharing content to explore this year's theme: global learners, global innovation.
See our programme:
#CultureConnectsUs
Are you learning English and hoping to develop your language skills for work? Our 'English for the Workplace' online course with
@FutureLearn
starts on Monday, 7 January 2019, and is free to join. Register now:
#FLWorkplaceEnglish
Do you want to join a global network of policy leaders? Applications are now open for
#FutureLeadersConnect
.
We’re accepting applications from people aged 18-35 in Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, UK and USA:
Here are some resources for educators in every context: craft activities, project ideas and stories from around the world. You can use this collection to connect with other countries whilst staying at home.
#CultureConenctsUs
We are proud to present
#TheClimateConnection
at
#COP26
till 12 November!
Check out our various global offers on learning and teaching recourse on climate, climate research and essays, climate solutions via digital arts, and much more!
#COP26Glasgow
Do you want to encourage your English language learners to practise outside the classroom? Try these digital flashcards, quizzes and video platforms.
@TeachingEnglish
📣 Open call! Artists/cultural practitioners - does your work explore marginalised histories or challenge contemporary narratives?
Apply now for Moving Narratives: a multi-disciplinary mentorship programme:
Closes: 16 July 2024
Our free online course starts 25 May 2020 with special guest speakers from the United Nations, UK House of Lords and
@theelders
. Register now to learn more about policy and leadership
#FLPolicyLeaders
Are you passionate about French, German or Spanish? If so, you could receive a scholarship of £28,000 to train as a secondary-school language teacher in England.
Learning Time with Timmy is now on Netflix! It's perfect for children aged 2 to 6 and is inspired by the curriculum designed by British Council early years experts.
Watch this fun and educational series helping children learn their first words in English:
Happy teacher appreciation week! We're saying a huge thank you to all the teachers out there.
Do you have an inspiring teacher that you would like to say 'thank you' to?
#ThankATeacher
'While the Covid-19 pandemic is causing enormous hardship, we have always believed as the British Council that culture connects us. In the face of a truly global challenge, this is more important than ever.' – Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive:
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and we're sharing resources to help embed disability arts, disabled artists and disabled audiences into the mainstream cultural sectors.
#disabilityartsinternational
#idpwd
Today marks 100 years since Nelson Mandela was born. Celebrate with us by visiting the Mandela and Me exhibition in our London office and discover Mandela’s influence on young people in South Africa.
#MandelaDay
#Mandela100
#MandelaAndMe
Future News Worldwide 2020 will take place on 14 and 15 July at Sky's global headquarters in London. Successful applicants will attend the conference with their travel and accommodation costs covered.
Find out more and apply today!
#FNW20
Do you want your English language learners to work toward a common goal? Here's an article from Teacher David Petrie, as he shares his tried-and-tested methods.
How might some of these be adapted for remote teaching?
On this day 100 years ago, the parties involved in the First World War signed an armistice to end four years of conflict.
#Armistice100
#WorkingTowardsPeace
Preparing for university study in the UK? Familiarise yourself with British culture and higher education by taking part in our free online course, starting 7 January 2019.
Looking for
#NewYearsResolutions
? Make 2018 your year to
#LearnALanguage
! Find out which languages will be the most important for the UK in this article from our archive:
What languages do people in the UK want to learn in 2023?
We surveyed 3,000 UK adults on their language learning ability, interests and habits.
Find out which languages are making it to the top of everyone’s
#NewYearResolutions
list in the UK this year!
#LearnEnglish