A standardised, data-driven approach to placement testing for English benefits teachers, parents and, most importantly, the students themselves.
From guesswork to guided growth: A placement testing success story
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IELTS for teachers
Intonation: Guidelines, not rules
We discovered the hard way that generally accepted ‘rules’ for intonation are often misleading. Clear Pronunciation 2 balances ‘rules’ and ‘guidelines’. Here’s how.
How to pass IELTS, OET, and TOEFL first time
Instead of relying on expensive retakes, IELTS, OET and TOEFL candidates need a gateway test that tells them if they are ready to achieve their target score – or not
Dynamic Placement Test and L1 Arabic teachers of English
In this post, we look at how British Council Libya deploys the Dynamic Placement test as a key component in their teacher training program.
Pronunciation in focus: Helping learners find their voice
This post looks at the issue of voices helping learners build confidence in their English pronunciation.
Can you trust the results of an AI speaking test?
Can you tell the difference between the results given by a human and AI marker? Martin Moore shares the big (and not so big) differences between the two.
AI speaking assessment: How we designed a valid test
The road to our AI speaking test wasn’t a smooth one. Martin Moore lays out the trials, tribulations and triumphs of developing the Dynamic Speaking Test.
HOPES LEB Online learning for refugees: An analysis of project outcomes
Atlas English shares their findings from their project with HOPES LEB, improving the prospects for vulnerable youth and refugees in Lebanon.
What do we mean by a ‘valid’ test?
Everyone wants a test to be valid. But what is validity and how do you tell if a test is valid or not?
Item analysis: How reliable is your test?
This post explains what item analysis is, how we use it, and what you’ll find in a robust and reliable test.
Spread the word: How to promote resources to your students
Help your students make the most of supplementary resources available. Try these 5 tips on how to introduce and sustain student engagement.
Starting from scratch: Welsh in two weeks?
This is the story and outcomes of a team determined to learn Welsh. How we did it, what we learnt along the way, and what you can do to better understand your pre-A1 learners.
Back to school: Five essential skills
There are two types of students – those who can study independently and those who can’t. Both need help when they arrive at university.
From concept to classroom: navigating Arrivals in English
Your thought-provoking Arrivals in English questions answered.
Arrivals in English: A community project
How we localised the program for Australian and Canadian English.
Expert tips for IELTS Listening
The tips, tricks and distractions you need to look out for for a high score.
Expert tips for IELTS Reading
The key facts you need to know to avoid pointlessly losing points.
IELTS: What the candidates say
Road to IELTS runs around five million sessions every year for candidates hoping to achieve the IELTS band score they need. Read one candidate’s experience of using Road to IELTS.
IELTS: Directed independent learning
This series uncovers ideas and activities from British Council teaching centres around the world. Read on for tips for directed independent learning from British Council Education India, Bangalore.
British Council HK: Students’ wants versus needs
This series uncovers ideas and activities from British Council IELTS teaching centres around the world. Read on for three ideas from British Council Hong Kong.