Shakespeare Lives is an innovative showcase of the UK's rich cultural heritage and contemporary UK creativity in China.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shakespeare is seen as a master of the English language. His 37 plays and 154 sonnets have added over 3,000 words and hundreds of idioms to the English language. Shakespeare Lives supports English language learning in China through a new, free massive open online course (MOOC), Exploring English: Shakespeare, as well as through the Learn English mobile apps for kids.

Shakespeare Lives is also developing educational links between the UK and China, sharing the best of UK education and inspiring Chinese students to study in the UK, particularly in subjects such as English literature, theater, performing arts and film. A free Shakespeare schools pack will be available online for teachers and pupils to explore some of the key issues, themes and ideas in Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespeare Smart Talks will give young people in China an insight into UK education, with high-profile creative professionals discussing the impact of Shakespeare in society, arts and culture worldwide.