Explore Shakespeare’s life, discover famous Shakespeare plays, and improve your English language skills with the British Council. Explore the English language through Shakespeare’s plays. This course will look at the life and works of William Shakespeare and take you from his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon to the Globe Theatre in London, from where he secured his central place in English literature.

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We will look at five of Shakespeare’s plays with the help of actors and experts from around the world. They will explain and explore the universal themes Shakespeare addressed in his work.

What topics will you cover?

- Romeo and Juliet

- Hamlet

- Much Ado About Nothing

- The Tempest

- Macbeth

Our video tutor will guide you through the course and look at some of the words and expressions that Shakespeare introduced to the English language.

Short quizzes will check your understanding and you’ll be asked to share your ideas and opinions on the topics Shakespeare raises.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Explore the life and works of William Shakespeare.

- Investigate five of Shakespeare’s plays and look at the universal themes Shakespeare addressed in his work.

- Reflect on words and expressions that Shakespeare introduced to the English language.
Who is the course for?

This course is for people who are learning English and interested in the language and legacy of William Shakespeare.

The material is designed for non-native English speakers who have studied English to around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR).