ELTon Award — British Council prize for innovation in English language teaching

What it recognises

The award highlights creative contributions across a range of areas related to ELT. Typical examples include new course materials, digital platforms and apps, teacher training programmes, resources tailored to local contexts, and initiatives that improve access, assessment or learner engagement. Awards are given to efforts that demonstrate pedagogical soundness, originality, and potential for wider use.

Process and categories

Submissions are judged by panels of experienced practitioners, academics and industry specialists who assess entries against criteria such as innovation, impact and quality. The scheme usually shortlists a number of candidates and announces winners at a public ceremony. Categories have evolved over time to reflect changing technology and classroom priorities, often including distinctions for digital innovation, classroom materials and local or regional projects.

Importance and impact

Winning or being shortlisted for an ELTon Award can increase visibility for a project or product, encourage adoption by institutions and teachers, and validate new approaches for funders or partners. The awards are regarded as a mark of professional recognition within the global ELT community and help disseminate promising practices.

Notable features and distinctions

• The ELTons focus on practical innovation rather than purely academic research.
• They attract a mix of commercial publishers, non‑profit initiatives and teacher-led projects.
• By spotlighting diverse contexts, the awards promote solutions suited to different learner needs and settings.

For recent calls for entries, past shortlists and information about judging criteria, consult the organiser’s pages via the link above.