Free Online CPD Course for International Schools: Language Development (With Certificate)

Language is the foundation of learning.

From early reading and writing to subject-specific vocabulary in later years, strong language development underpins success across the entire curriculum — particularly in international schools, where many students are multilingual learners.

That’s why we’re excited to offer a free online CPD course: Language Development, written by Tom Hollins.

Why Language Development Matters in International Schools

In international school settings, teachers often support:

Students learning in an additional language (EAL, ESL)
Diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
High academic expectations and inspection standards
Content-heavy curricula delivered in English (iGCSE, IB, British curriculum and equivalents)

A strong understanding of how children develop language enables teachers to:

Improve reading comprehension
Strengthen vocabulary instruction
Support writing development
Close attainment gaps
Build confident communicators

Language development is not just the responsibility of English teachers — it impacts every subject.

About the Course

Written by experienced educator Tom Hollins, this course explores how children acquire and develop language — and how teachers can actively support that development in the classroom.

Throughout the course, you will:

Understand the stages of language acquisition
- Explore the link between language and cognitive development
- Identify barriers to language growth
Reflect on how classroom practice can better support multilingual learners
Learn practical strategies to strengthen speaking, listening, reading and vocabulary

The course combines research-informed insights with practical classroom applications, making it highly relevant to both primary and lower secondary teachers.

Flexible, Free and Certificate-Accredited

Our CPD courses are built for busy educators. Each course:

Takes around 1 hour to complete
Is fully online (learn anytime, anywhere)
Is completely free
Comes with a certificate of completion

Whether you’re looking to refresh your practice, develop new skills, or strengthen your CPD portfolio, you can complete these courses.

Who Is This Course For?

International school teachers
Secondary and primary educators
Heads of Department
Heads of Year or pastoral leads
Senior leadership team
Early career teachers
iGCSE teachers
Teachers interested in cognitive science

This course is for you, if you’re searching for:

Free language development CPD for teachers
Online professional development for international schools
EAL training for teachers
Language acquisition course with certificate

Strong language skills unlock success across every subject.

Perfect for international school contexts

International schools are diverse by nature. Teachers often work across cultures, languages, and educational systems, and professional development needs to be both high-quality and adaptable.

Seneca’s CPD courses help you build confidence in areas that matter most in international settings, supporting students effectively, strengthening teaching practice, and developing your professional toolkit.