NILE | Technologies and Approaches to Blended, Hybrid and Online Teaching

NEW COURSE: Technologies & Techniques for Online and Blended Language Education (TOBLE) is a highly practical, six-week program designed to explore how technology and artificial intelligence directly impact language learning. The curriculum is structured around mastering essential technologies which influence critical areas such as assessment, student feedback, collaboration, interaction, speaking skill development, vocabulary acquisition and learner autonomy.

The course distinguishes itself through an innovative, experiential methodology where educators do not merely observe, but actively engage with a diverse array of tools to construct comprehensive e-portfolios. This approach allows participants to experience a deeply integrated online learning environment exactly as their students would. This practical journey relies on utilizing an e-portfolio for assessment, ensuring that every theoretical concept is immediately grounded in real-world application.

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Is this course for you?

Location: Online

Experience: For teachers who use technology but would like to do so in a more systematic way and build their understanding of the core principles underpinning its use.

Language Level: B2 or higher

Course dates:
13 September - 25 October 2026
17 January - 28 February 2027
12 September - 24 October 2027

Certification:
NILE Certificate

Course Length: 6 weeks

Course fees:
Course fee: £445

Minimum age: 18

Max class size: 18

Tutor-led and highly interactive

Live and asynchronous eLearning platforms

Specialist ELT eLibrary

Accredited by AQUEDUTO

Course content

Establishing a comprehensive understanding of the foundational principles underpinning technology integration in teaching and learning

Acquiring the expertise to confidently utilize established technologies that demonstrably enhance pedagogical practices

Investigating the AI technologies directly influencing language learning to construct more engaging, connected and student-centric courses

Exploring how to use AI technologies to optimise teacher efficiency in generating materials such as podcasts, instructional videos and infographics

Discovering alternative and highly effective methods for evaluating students both formatively and summatively

Systematically addressing practical obstacles educators face when implementing technology both in and beyond the classroom

Examining the critical role that independent learning occupies within online and blended contexts

Exploring how to use AI and other technologies that foster autonomous learning to maximize independent study time and increase student agency

Download course description

Course Delivery and Assessment

The six-week program is delivered and evaluated through the following structure:

A weekly live webinar held on Sundays at 19.00 UK time, which will be recorded for participants unable to attend synchronously.

Weekly course modules containing practical activities and collaborative exercises for participants to complete.

Ongoing development of a personal e-portfolio, which involves compiling coursework and articulating weekly reflections.

Formal assessment is conducted entirely through the e-portfolio, requiring participants to successfully complete all assigned tasks and thoroughly address the weekly reflective inquiries.

Participants need a computer, a headset (with microphone), an internet connection and a Gmail account. Please note that a tablet or smartphone will not be enough to do the course.

Further Information

NILE Online courses are highly interactive and learning takes place through varied and engaging multimedia content and the collaboration between participants from different contexts. All participants work on the same unit in the same week but there is a high level of flexibility within that time period to help you fit studying around your life and work. The interaction, via forums and other collaborative tools built into the platform, helps and encourages you to share ideas, ask questions, explore concepts and build up a community.

You need a computer, a headset (with microphone) and an Internet connection. Much of the course can be done on a mobile device, but a computer is needed for certain activities and tasks.

Participants have access to NILE's extensive ELT e-library and an innovative social and cultural programme. All NILE Online courses include an element of professional language development, i.e. language related to course content and/or the classroom.

Meet a Course Tutor: Russell Stannard

Russell Stannard - NILE

Russell spent 11 years in Spain as Director of Studies of International House Seville and a teacher trainer for the Spanish government. He had previously worked as an English teacher in Greece for 2 years.

He holds the CELTA, DELTA and an MSc in Multimedia Computing from the University of Westminster. He worked as a Principal Teaching Fellow in Educational Technology at the University of Westminster before moving to Warwick University.

In 2007 he founded the website TeacherTrainingVideos.com and was awarded the British Council 'Technology' ELTons award, the The Times Higher Education 'Outstanding Technology' award and the University of Westminster 'Excellence in Teaching and Learning' award.

Russell is now a freelance consultant. His YouTube channel where he creates videos to help language teachers incorporate technology in their teaching and learning has over 80,000 subscribers. His consultancy roles include work with King's College, University of London, the Kwazulu University in South Africa, Brugg University in Switzerland and Stirling University in Scotland. He is a Techsmith Camtasia recommended trainer and a Movavi educational ambassador.

Available dates:

Course dates	Location	Course length
13 September - 25 October 2026	Online	6 weeks
17 January - 28 February 2027	Online	6 weeks
12 September - 24 October 2027	Online	6 weeks