The language teaching profession is currently undergoing a period of profound transformation, driven by the combined effects of digital change, evolving learner profiles, and growing concerns about the attractiveness of the profession.
In this context, one key question emerges: how can we support the continuing professional development of language teachers throughout their careers? This question is not only pedagogical; it is also institutional, political and cultural, as the answers vary according to national contexts, levels of education, and educational traditions.
On 13 and 14 January 2027, British Council and France Éducation international will host an international workshop designed to bring together perspectives, experiences and practices from a wide range of contexts. The aim is to build a shared reflection on the skills required to be a language teacher today and over the next decade, and on the mechanisms that can support and foster their professional development.
The discussion will be structured around four key themes:
- The professional knoweldge, skills, behaviours and attributes language teachers need today and over the next decade;
- Practical and innovative approaches to continuing professional development for language teachers;
- A comparison of continuing professional development provision across different countries;
- Future directions for the continuing professional development of language teachers.
This event will honour multilingualism, without favouring one language over another, and will draw its strength from the diversity of its participants, including policymakers, teachers of foreign and regional languages, researchers, and teacher educators.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage through interactive sessions, practical workshops, poster presentations, and discussion panels showcasing international practices.
The provisional programme is available below.