7 Free Online Courses in October

Hello autumn, my favourite time of the year! The evenings are longer, the colours are just beautiful and I’m enjoying every moment – especially since I’m beginning my three months off work! Time to breathe in, breathe out and try something new. Will that mean changes on That is Evil? Oh, definitely, but let’s not talk about my ideas now – let’s focus on some new online courses that I’ve spotted… and now it seems I might finally have some time to complete more than one. OK, let’s start!

1 Focus on Professional Development by the British Council

Start: 03/10/2023
Duration: self-paced
Recommended for: teachers who want to explore a range of developmental activities available to teachers
You will learn:

• how to take advantage of developmental activities through collaboration and reflective practice
• how to identify immediate developmental goals and begin to make a professional development plan to help achieve them
• how to increase understanding of reflective practice; the process of thinking about, evaluating, analysing and reviewing

2 Creative Resources for Primary by the British Council

Start: 02/10/2023
Duration: self-paced
Recommended for: teachers interested in learning how to make high-quality resources out of creative and sustainable teaching materials

You will learn:

• how to make and use flashcards effectively to review and practise language
• how to identify a variety of storytelling techniques to introduce and practise language
• how to make masks and puppets using recyclable household materials

3 How to Teach Vocabulary by the British Council

Start: 09/10/2023
Duration: self-paced
Recommended for: teachers who want to develop their vocabulary teaching skills

You will learn:

• about major aspects of vocabulary, including form, meaning and use, and relate these to the teaching and learning of vocabulary
• how to plan the stages of a recycling activity taking into account a range of factors which promote learning
• methods and techniques for presenting vocabulary that take into account an inclusive multi-sensory approach

4 How to Teach Listening by the British Council

Start: 10/10/2023
Duration: self-paced
Recommended for: teachers who want to develop their listening teaching skills

You will learn:

• how to design and plan classroom listening activities
• how to apply strategies to improve active listening skills
• how to analyse and plan classroom activities that promote strategies to increase effective listening skills

5 Planning Lessons by the British Council

I recommended this course already, but in case you missed it, give it a go, it’s really good!
Start: 02/10/2023
Duration: 4 weeks
Recommended for: teachers who want to improve their lesson planning skills
You will learn:

• how to plan engaging language and topic-based lessons by identifying and applying commonly used lesson models
• about techniques for introducing new language, writing achievable learning outcomes
• how to plan warmers and lead-ins

6 Introduction to the Finnish Education System by the University of Jyväskylä

Start: available now
Duration: if you choose the free option you will have limited time to complete the course
Recommended for: teachers interested in education and educational systems

You will learn:

• about the fundamental elements of Finnish education
• how students’ learning processes, well-being and transitions are supported
• key theoretical principles and pedagogical practices

7 Introduction to Teaching Creative Writing by Manchester Met University

Start: available now
Duration: if you choose the free option you will have limited time to complete the course
Recommended for: teachers looking to use creative writing within their practice

You will learn:

• how to identify the various contexts and ways in which Creative Writing is used in developing confidence and empathy
• about the ethical considerations and an awareness of safeguarding issues involved in teaching Creative Writing
• how to develop practical teaching skills and ideas that can be implemented in a variety of situations

As you can see, there’s plenty to choose from! I’ll definitely try the course on the Finnish edusystem – I’ve heard about it a lot, it’s time to learn about it first-hand!