The British Council has launched an initiative to support English teachers in local schools. The English Language Teachers (ELT) Network aims to provide local teachers with a wide range of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and access to a dedicated Web site. The site gives teachers access to various resources, the latest developments in English language teaching, useful links and tips for candidates sitting benchmark tests. Additional benefits include complimentary membership of the Council's Multi Media Study Centre and the opportunity to apply for funding to attend regional workshops and events. 'We asked 600 teachers what they needed and this is what they want,' said Andy Millburn, deputy director of the British Council. 'And 300 teachers have already signed up.' Members will be invited to at least six workshops, the first of which is scheduled to be held in January on Multiple Intelligence. Anson Chan Fang On-sang, who is also a member of the British Council's International Advisory Board, urged the audience of dozens of teachers to play their part. 'English is now even more important if Hong Kong is to maintain its competitive strength,' she said. She was concerned that standards were perceived to be deteriorating and stressed the need to reverse this to maintain Hong Kong's position as an international and cosmopolitan city. 'Teachers must provide the tools for this,' she said. The network, which is free to join, will also help teachers follow the advice of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education andQualifications that they pursue 150 hours of CPD over a three-year period. Annie Hughes of the University of York welcomed the collaborative model. 'Teaching can be a lonely profession,' she said. 'Sharing ideas on how to improve teaching really helps.' For details visit www.britishcouncil.org.hk/eltnetwork