MUMBAI: Teachers of English as a foreign language around the world will have a new online resource from 5 December.

The result of a joint initiative between BBC World Service and the British Council, the free site - www.teachingenglish.org.uk will provide a practical resource for materials, activities and tips for teaching. Downloadable audio files and photocopy compatible documents will provide a rich resource for English teachers, claims the BBC.

It will build a valuable archive of articles on teaching theory and techniques. Described as 'for teachers...by teachers', it also aims to act as a forum to help teachers of English exchange thoughts, ideas and materials.

The site has been specifically designed for non-native speaker teachers of English working in state schools around the world and will be particularly useful where classroom resources are scarce and class sizes are large. About 5,000 people have joined the mailing list and were the first to try out the new website.

The broadcaster claims that feedback has already arrived from places as diverse as Algeria, Russia and China and it has been an encouraging sign. Many teachers comment on the clarity of the layout and relevance of the content.

A discussion of the use of translation in the classroom has generated a lot of material from teachers, and the editors look forward to more tips, ideas and suggestions which can be shared.

Both the British Council and BBC World Service receive funding from the UK government for their work.