29/03/2012
A new professional development site for English language teachers has been launched by Cambridge University Press and Cambridge ESOL.
Cambridge English Teacher is an online environment that offers teachers the opportunity to become part of a community of peers across the world, undertaking flexible professional development courses and building an online presence that showcases their careers to date.
The community also allows members to interact with fellow teachers, the authors who produce the materials they use in the classroom, and other leading names in the world of global English language teaching.
Teachers can check out what the site offers by registering as guests, and can immediately enrol on online self-study courses which include downloadable certificates of completion. Registering as a member opens up even more benefits, including an extensive library of Cambridge professional development resources, a digital subscription to English Teaching Professional magazine, and full access to topical articles and webinars.
Andrew Nye, Stakeholder Relations Manager at Cambridge ESOL, said:
“Cambridge English Teacher will build a unique online teaching community which will help boost the careers of English teachers around the globe. Members can connect with like-minded teachers around the world and get access to unique resources from Cambridge. Teachers can also showcase their qualifications and professional achievements on their profile which will help them steer their career paths in the right direction.”
Eric Baber from Cambridge University Press predicts the site will become an important ‘virtual space’ for English language teachers, allowing them to connect with each other and helping them to develop themselves and their careers:
“Along with Cambridge ESOL, we felt there was a gap in the online support, development, and networking opportunities offered to both native and non-native English language teachers. Such teachers are, by the very nature of what they do, scattered across the globe and don’t often have chances to meet in a central place. Cambridge English Teacher offers exactly this: a virtual space where teachers can compare ideas and experiences, support each other, interact with the authors whose materials they use, and improve their skills with online, self-study courses. We are confident it will transform the lives of hard-working teachers of English everywhere.”
To mark the launch of the site, new members are for a limited period being offered a 10-hour professional development course of their choice and special rates on further courses.