Category Archives: British Council

Criticism of outsourcing to British Council in Punjab and Malaysia

Posted on 23/10/2013 by alexcase

I’m not sure how seriously the criticism can be taken, seeing as it comes from a local teaching union and an opposition party, probably the two kinds of people who are most likely to protest all changes. Still, that of … Continue reading →

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How would Scottish independence affect the British Council?

Posted on 23/09/2013 by alexcase

The only thing I could think of is that the rump British Council might start skipping that Headway unit about Hamish McSporran the man with twelve jobs. Sure there must be more serious possible consequences though, and the BC page … Continue reading →

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Heated debate on the role of the British Council

Posted on 03/11/2012 by alexcase

I’m a bit behind on noticing this one, but as it follows on from what I’ve written about the BC here: Is the British Council competing its way to oblivion? and here: Launch of the British Council Aptis test today … Continue reading →

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Launch of British Council Aptis test today

Posted on 14/09/2012 by alexcase

… making it, I imagine, the biggest example of the British Council both supporting and competing with other British-owned ELT organisations, for better or worse, but not much info online in English yet: A very short announcement on The Times … Continue reading →

Posted in British Council, EFL exams | 3 Comments

Is the British Council competing its way to oblivion?

Posted on 17/08/2012 by alexcase

I’ve been worried for a while that by doing more and more things that commercial organisations do more and more in the way that commercial organisations do them (as well as competing with – often British-owned – commercial organisations), the … Continue reading →

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British Council to fund 50% of 100 TEFL course places

Posted on 19/06/2012 by alexcase

Restricted to unemployed people (in the last three years, whatever that means) and UK-based CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL courses: English teaching graduate scheme My first reactions are: – Why? – If you are so skint you can’t afford a TEFL … Continue reading →

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Should International House and the British Council get out of Syria?

Posted on 20/04/2012 by alexcase

Quite apart from whatever risk there might be of teachers being trapped there if things really blow up (as very nearly happened in Libya), there must be some point at which the positive impact organisations can make by leaving as a protest … Continue reading →

Posted in British Council, International House | 3 Comments

Is a TEFL diploma worth more than a relevant MA?

Posted on 04/01/2012 by alexcase

EF in China and most British Council branches think so (though they are both involved in running diploma courses), whereas I don’t know of a single university which would agree (though they are all involved in peddling MAs). I have … Continue reading →

Posted in British Council, Cambridge Delta, Diploma in TESOL, EF, MA TESOL | 32 Comments

Reading between the lines of the British Council corporate plan

Posted on 29/09/2011 by alexcase

I don’t envy the British Council management, what with having to cope with a 26% percent cut (in real terms) in government funding and no government guidance on what they are supposed to be for. However, given their influence on the … Continue reading →

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No staff injured in British Council Kabul attack

Posted on 21/08/2011 by alexcase

My newspaper said there were doubts on the matter, but according to the British Council’s statement only security forces were affected.

Posted in British Council | Tagged | 7 Comments