The British Council has revealed the winners of the ELTons 2014, it was announced today (23 May).
Now in their twelfth year, the annual awards, run by the British Council and sponsored by Cambridge English Language Assessment, are a celebration of innovation and excellence in English language teaching (ELT) from around the world.
This year sees a diverse range of products winning a prestigious ELTon award. These include; a student integration scheme set up by an English language school in Devon, a web-based resource for non-native English speaking doctors, a professional development course for teachers of dyslexic students and ELT resources on raising awareness about mobility disability.
The awards have been organised into seven categories: Excellence in Course Innovation, Innovation in Learner Resources, Innovation in Teacher Resources, Digital Innovation, and Local Innovation, The Macmillan Education Award for New Talent in Writing and the British Council Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners are:
The Macmillan Education Award for New Talent in Writing
Compass (Upper Intermediate) by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pinard
A six-task module designed to stimulate and support learners who are studying in an English-speaking environment. It incorporates task-based learning theory and aims to foster the intercultural awareness and communication skills necessary for success in a globalised world.
The judges described the winner as “very innovative and thorough. It includes current and controversial themes that will evoke real discussion, and is fun and engaging to use.”
Excellence in Course Innovation
Dyslexia for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (Dystefl) by Dystefl Project
An innovative professional development programme that aims to raise teachers’ awareness of the foreign language learning needs of dyslexic students. The training booklets are freely downloadable from the project website and the course is available in an online self-study format.
The judges described the winner as “a much-needed course for teachers and one that addresses a gap in the market.”
Innovation in Learner Resources
Academic Skills Series by Collins
A six-book series for students who are studying, or preparing to study, at an English-speaking institution. Essential study skills and English language practice are combined to help students step up their performance from their IELTS or TOEFL score to achieve academic success on their course.
The judges described the winner as “even native speakers could benefit from the kind of structured, systematic thinking taught in this entry.”
Innovation in Teacher Resources
The Disabled Access Friendly campaign by Katie Quartano and Paul Shaw
Provides ELT teachers with a large bank of free, downloadable, stand-alone lessons covering all learner levels and age ranges in a variety of forms. These resources are unique because besides focusing on linguistic aims thematically, they focus exclusively on raising awareness about mobility disability.
The judges described the winner as “a great initiative to embed useful social content into mainstream ELT lessons.”
Digital Innovation
Doctors Speak Up: Communication and Language Skills for International Medical Graduates by R. Woodward-Kron, C. Bow, C. Fraser, J. Pill, E. Flynn
An interactive English for Medical Purposes (EMP) web-based resource for non-native English speaking doctors. It includes doctor-patient consultations that can present challenges for clinical communication.
The judges described the winner as “a fascinating insight into the world of doctors, patients and the English they need”.
Local Innovation
P.A.L.S Scheme, (Promoting Acceptance of Language Students) - Country Cousins Ltd
A scheme set up by Country Cousins alongside Devon Youth Service that aims to recruit teenagers from the Ilfracombe area to integrate international language students into the community.
The judges described the winner as “a worthy project that is very effective”.
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Swan
Described at the ceremony as a name synonymous with “must-have texts” and “an influence on a generation of students”, influential writer and award-winning poet, Michael Swan was announced as the winner of the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to English language teaching.
Speaking from the ceremony, Anna Searle, Director English Language, British Council said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the winners of our ELTons Awards 2014 and to be supporting and showcasing innovation in the ELT sector. The diverse range of winning projects and products being recognised here today certainly highlights the continued and exciting growth of the sector as a whole, as well as the important achievements and advancements happening within it.
”Now an important fixture in the ELT calendar, the ELTons Awards Ceremony provides a unique opportunity for ELT authors, publishers, and practitioners from around the world to find out more about and celebrate the new ideas that will shape English language teaching in the years to come.
“The awards also support the significant growth in global demand for English language teaching, with teachers and learners adopting innovative approaches to language learning in order to respond to the changing needs of learners.
“We would like to thank all of the nominees for being part of this year’s ELTons, as well as our headline sponsor, Cambridge English, and the New Talent in Writing Award sponsor, Macmillan Education for their continued support.”
The British Council is the UK’s cultural relations organisation, and builds relationships for the UK through English, education and the arts. It teaches English in more than 80 countries through face-to-face contact and innovative methods including radio, the internet and mobile technology.
To find out more about the winners and to see footage and photos from the awards ceremony, visit http://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/eltons