It is the first course to be delivered by one of the “cultural partners” of the Open University-owned Mooc provider, rather than by a university. Other such partners include the British Library and the British Museum.
The course, which will begin this autumn, is aimed at non-native speakers with intermediate levels of English language proficiency, and will include learning about British culture and traditions to enable learners to gain a better understanding of life in the UK.
It is not designed to link directly with any UK government-recognised Secure English Language Test, however the British Council said it hoped that participants on the course would “feel confident to then explore options towards taking a SELT”.
Simon Nelson, chief executive of FutureLearn, said “With its long history of teaching the English language to non-native speakers, the British Council is a natural choice to deliver this course.
“People will be able to access the learning for free, and what’s more, they will be able to learn English and about British culture by interacting with other learners from all over the world.”
The announcement was made at Going Global, the British Council’s annual conference for leaders of international education, held in Miami this week.
