If you’re wondering what next for your career, a Master’s degree could well be the answer

The headline news in this issue is two pronged.

First, we present our Master’s listing, where we’ve tried to provide the most important information for each UK university that offers this degree for teachers of English.

As our editor-in-chief, Melanie Butler, explains on page 16, it’s up to you to decide which area most interests you, but beyond that, it’s worth taking a look to find out how the universities that offer what you want to study have fared against various measurements. Do they warrant a gold star as far as the Teaching Excellence Framework is concerned? Are they a British Council accredited Centre of Excellence? And is their research of a world class standard? Turn to our special supplement on furthering your English teaching career prospects on page 15 to find out the answers to these and other questions you may have before embarking on the next step of your educational journey.

“To have engaged people to spread English values and the English language..."

The other tine in our metaphorical prong is the British Council-employed teachers who are still in Afghanistan, fearing for their lives under Taliban rule. Their plight is both heart-wrenching and terrifying, as well as surely a great big untick for the British Council. To have engaged people to spread English values and the English language, and then abandon these same people to a regime that abhors both of these is a terrible abdication of responsibility. Joe Seaton, a former teacher, and English manager and deputy director at the British Council in Afghanistan, presents their case and campaigns on their behalf. Read his account on page 12.

You’ll find a number of other engaging reads in this issue. For instance, have you considered Ireland as your next teaching port of call? There are plenty of reasons to go there, from good workers’ rights, including seriously reasonable rates of pay, to a welcoming population and plenty of craic (fun), whether that’s exploring the beautiful countryside or getting down in a Dublin pub on a Saturday night. Find out more on page 30.

“...and then abandon these same people to a regime that abhors both of these 
is a terrible abdication of responsibility"

There’s also the inside info on a book that will show you how to engage your students by turning your classroom into an escape room – yes, really; the row over native-speakerism rumbling on, how things went down at the ELTons and plenty more from the world of English language teaching.

As ever, if you’re involved in research, a project or news that you think would be of interest or use to other EL Gazette readers, we want to hear from you. Send your idea(s) to editor@elgazette.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy reading!