Teaching Development Centre

Teaching Development Centre

Professional development for educators teaching through English

A leading centre supporting educators to confidently teach academic subjects in English, the Teaching Development Centre at Adelaide University provides practical professional development short courses in EMI, CLIL, TESOL and teaching methodology, helping educators and institutions strengthen teaching practice across all English-medium learning environments.

Short courses can be delivered in Adelaide, online or at partner institutions and tailored to the needs of individual educators, teaching teams and institutions.

Trusted expertise in English language education

For over 30 years, the English Language Centre has supported educators from around the world to strengthen their teaching practice. Our interactive, learning centred approach gives educators practical outcomes they can apply in multilingual classrooms, all backed by one of Australia's leading universities.

30+ years of teacher training

30+ years of teacher training

Member of the Group of Eight

Member of the Group of Eight

Ranked #79 in the world

Ranked #79 in the world

Our offerings

The English Language Centre offers four specialised short courses, each designed to meet a different teaching context and a different professional goal. Use the guide below to find the offering that fits.

EMI Development Hub

If you are a university lecturer teaching, or preparing to teach, academic content in English, this is the right fit for you. Through practical short courses, resources and professional learning, the EMI Development Hub helps educators develop the language, strategies and confidence needed to create effective and engaging learning experiences in English.

Teaching development short courses

Alongside EMI, we offer three specialised short courses for educators developing their language teaching practice. Select a course below to learn more.

If you are an English language educator in a school or higher education setting, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is for you. TESOL equips teachers with practical, research-informed strategies to support language development, encourage interaction and create effective English learning environments. Every short course is shaped around your teachers, learners and context.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. The recommended IELTS level varies by course and is confirmed as part of the tailored design process.

Focus areas

TESOL short courses can be tailored to focus on the areas your teachers need most, such as:

  • TESOL teaching methodologies
  • Language enhancement for teaching
  • Scaffolding language and learning
  • Effective questioning and student engagement
  • Advanced teaching coaching and train the trainer

Delivery

Delivered online or in country, each short course is built around your teaching context in higher education, with certificates of completion provided.

Tell us about your team and teaching context, and we will design a TESOL course tailored to your needs.

If you are a school teacher delivering curriculum subjects through an additional language, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is for you. CLIL helps teachers integrate language and content so students build subject knowledge and language skills together. Every short course is shaped around your teachers, learners and context.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. The recommended IELTS level varies by course and is confirmed as part of the tailored design process.

Focus areas

CLIL short courses can concentrate on the areas your teachers need most, such as:

  • Scaffolding language, texts and tasks
  • Effective questioning and checking understanding
  • Differentiation in the bilingual classroom
  • Active learning and student motivation
  • Curriculum design and assessment

Delivery

Delivered online or in country and available as a train the trainer option, each course is tailored to your context, with certificates of completion provided.

Let’s design your short course! Tell us about your teachers and teaching context, and we’ll create a course tailored to your needs.

If you’re an educator looking to create more engaging, learner-centred classrooms and explore the potential of AI in education, this short course is for you.

Teaching Methodology develops practical classroom strategies that support active learning and student engagement, with the option to integrate AI tools into lesson planning, teaching practice and reflection.

Every course is tailored to your teachers, your context and your goals.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this short course. However, participants should have an overall IELTS score of 5.0 or higher, or an equivalent CET score, to support effective learning.

Focus areas

Teaching Methodology short courses can be tailored to focus on the areas your teachers need most, such as:

  • Active, learning centred teaching strategies
  • Interactive presentation and engagement techniques
  • Scaffolding materials and resources
  • Reflective practice and individualised feedback
  • Integrating AI tools to support teaching and learning

Delivery 

Available in intensive or part time formats and tailored to your educators, each short course includes hands-on teaching practice with individualised feedback, and certificates of completion are provided.

Let's design your short course! Tell us about your teachers and context, and we will build a course that fits.

Our team

Meet some of the award-winning team behind our short courses.

  • Paula Dimmell
    • Senior Manager, Learning and Teaching
    • 2025 English Australia Academic Leadership Award
  • Gabriel Azpilcueta
    • English Teacher / Academic Integrity and Assessment Officer
    • 2025 Anne Burns Action Research Grant
    • 2025 English Australia Contribution to Professional Practice
  • Heather Sparrow
    • English Language Teacher
    • 2025 Anne Burns Action Research Grant
  • Natasha Sarooshi
    • English Language Teacher
    • 2025 English Australia Action Research in ELICOS Award

Not sure where to start?

Tell us your goals and context, and our team will guide you to the right short course.  

Contact us

English Language Centre

Location

Locations
Level 11/115 Grenfell St,
Adelaide City Campus East
Adelaide SA 5005

Level 3 Catherine Helen Spence Building,
Adelaide City Campus West
Adelaide SA 5000

Email

Email: elc@adelaide.edu.au