The Broken Pencil Innovation Awards for English language teaching products and services, or Eltons, are the Oscars of the ELT world. They are offered to outstanding new language learning resources which use innovative ideas to help learners of English to achieve their goals.

2005 Awards

Only one Elton was awarded this year, as all the other nominees were described by the panel as “far too pretentious and boring”. The Elton was handed out at a ceremony and swanky dinner at the Delfina Gallery (pictured above).

englishdroid.com, website—Glotagog-X513
This website is aimed at English language teachers. Unlike other sites, it paints an authentic picture of the profession. It provides a constant source of comfort to teachers in crap jobs throughout the world.

Judges’ quotes

• “At last, none of that smartypants bollocks we normally get.”
• “I haven’t laughed so much since Mario fell off that podium.”
• “Just leave the envelope on the table, lad.”

Speech

In a gracious acceptance speech, Glotagog-X513 paid tribute to the assembled ELT Bores (who were seething at not having won anything), “because without them my little website would not be possible”.