The British Council ELTons Awards is the only international award for innovation in English language teaching.

Each year, the British Council’s ELTons Awards for Innovation in English language education celebrate the most original courses, publications, projects, apps, as well as platforms that are finding new ways to help English language learners and teachers around the world achieve their goals.

Eligibility

British Council wants to hear from you if:

• you’re an educator in a low-resource context
• a member of an international team or organization – large or small; or
• an author or entrepreneur flying solo

Awards categories

Excellence in Course Innovation

Courses using a fresh variety of content, formats, or media, to help learners achieve stretching levels of English language proficiency.

Innovation in Teacher Resources

Resources supporting English language teaching professionals, whether through teacher training, education, or Continuing Professional Development.

Innovation in Learner Resources

Services, activities, materials, or works using innovative means to improve English language learners’ proficiency in vocabulary, grammar, fluency, receptive as well as productive skills, or vital language skills for study or for work.

Digital Innovation

Use of digital technology or media – cutting edge technologies, or original use of existing technology – to benefit high-quality English language learning

Local Innovation

Resources or project innovating to meet specific, local needs, within local, national or regional contexts around the world

ELTons Judges’ Commendations

Applicants could also choose to put their entry forward for two special commendations; the ELTons Judges’ Commendations for:

• Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)*

The two commendations are not separate award categories but are additional commendations for only finalists of the awards.

It is recommended that applicants who wish to enter their product for the commendation first read the guidance on the British Council’s approach to EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion).

How to apply for an ELTons Award

To enter your innovation into the ELTons 2022, please submit your application, complete with a sample of your product via the ELTons’ submission portal.

Confirmation of finalists will be in June and then the finalists along with winners will get an announcement at the ELTons awards ceremony in October.

Key dates for the ELTons 2022

• 17 March: Application deadline
• March to late April: Judging – round one
• Late April to late June: Judging – round two as well as Selection of ELTons 2022 finalists
• Mid to late June:  Announcement of the ELTons 2022 finalists
• Summer 2022: Judging – round three as well as Selection of ELTons 2022 winners.
• Finally, October 2022: ELTons 2022 awards ceremony

The ELTons Awards ceremony

All finalists get an invitation to the annual ELTons Awards Ceremony, a prestigious event on the English teaching calendar attended by leading figures in the sector.

ELTons finalists, as well as winners, report that the awards raise the profile of their work and allow them to reach new networks and audiences.

The ELTons inspire and encourage English language teaching professionals to explore high-quality, practical as well as innovative educational products, publications, apps, and projects for English language teaching and learning, supporting English language learners and teachers achieve their teaching and learning goals.