Home › Research and publications ›
Image

Research papers

The British Council works closely with universities and other research institutions to fund and publish ELT research. The Research Papers series gathers together the outputs of these partnerships and collaborations.

Most recent

Image

Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh

Elizabeth J. Erling, Philip Seargeant, Mike Solly, Qumrul Hasan Chowdhury and Sayeedur Rahman
There is only limited evidence showing a relationship between the English language and development. This ethnographic survey conducted in 2 rural communities in Bangladesh investigates the needs and aspirations of the local community in order to better understand how English language education could contribute to development.
Image

A global study of primary English teachers’ qualifications, training and career development

Helen Emery
This research paper reports on a global study of primary English teachers’ qualifications, training, teaching experience and career development. Nearly 2,500 teachers completed an electronic survey. In-depth face-to-face interviews were also conducted. The study raises issues which it is felt should be taken up by ELT providers but teachers were overwhelmingly positive in their attitudes towards the profession.
Image

Early EFL learning in context – Evidence from a country case study

Jelena Mihaljević Djigunović
Children are starting to learn English at increasingly younger ages.  This paper researches the phenomenon from a contextualised perspective.  Data were collected from 173 Croatian YLs of EFL whose progress was followed for three years.  The work formed part of the ELLIE project. The contextualised approach can offer broader and deeper insights into EFL learning. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research.
Image

Pulling the threads together: current theories and current practice affecting UK primary school children who have English as an Additional Language

Clare Wardman
This research paper reports on a study conducted in the north of England into the provision of support for children who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). She places her work into the international context and develops five recommendations for action. These include training new teachers on EAL issues and enhancing the dialogue between schools who have similar requirements in order to limit wasting time and money.
Image

Using e-learning to develop intercultural awareness in ELT: a critical evaluation in a Thai higher education setting

Will Baker
This research paper, by Will Baker, reports on a study conducted in Thailand into the development  of an online course in intercultural awareness and communication. The findings of this study demonstrate generally positive responses both to the course contents and the online delivery.  Both e-learning and the cultural dimension of ELT have grown in prominence.

About Research papers

The British Council works closely with universities and other research institutions to fund and publish ELT research.  The Research Papers series gathers together the outputs of these partnerships and collaborations.  The series includes reports written by partners working with the British Council as part of  the ELT Research Partnerships scheme. Research commissioned by the British Council can also be found in this series. The British Council is committed to making the results of innovative and inspiring research available to ELT practitioners worldwide.

Produced in partnership with UK and overseas specialists, the series presents the latest findings in key areas of ELT – teaching Young Learners, learning technologies, teacher education and more – and provides practical recommendations to teachers and teacher educators working in a range of contexts and conditions.
 
 

A - Z of content

A global study of primary English teachers’ qualifications, training and career development

Attitudes to English as a language for international development in rural Bangladesh

British Council ELT Research Papers: Volume 1

Computers and learner autonomy: trends and issues

Confucius, constructivism and the impact of continuing professional development on teachers of English in China

Early EFL learning in context – Evidence from a country case study

Global Practices in Teaching English to Young Learners

How to make yourself understood by international students: The role of metaphor in academic tutorials

Identity in foreign language learning and teaching: why listening to our students’ and teachers’ voices really matters

Learner Autonomy: English Language Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices

Own-language use in ELT: exploring global practices and attitudes

Perceptions and Strategies of Learning in English by Singapore Primary School Children with Dyslexia

Pulling the threads together: current theories and current practice affecting UK primary school children who have English as an Additional Language

Using e-learning to develop intercultural awareness in ELT: a critical evaluation in a Thai higher education setting

‘Tanggap, tiklop, tago’ (receive, fold, keep): Perceptions of best practice in ELT INSET