Professional Development Needs

I would like to share essential points about professional development needs (see Farrell, 2006, p. 138-140) specifically for English language teachers.

What does teacher development mean?

• Improve language skills
• Improve teaching skills
• Become a better teacher
• Keep up-to-date with what is happening in English language teaching
• Develop more methods and techniques about teaching
• Become more aware about theory behind practice

What is the best way to keep informed about development in English language teaching?

• Read English language teaching magazines
• Read academic journals in the field
• Talk to colleagues
• Attend conferences
• Attend workshops
• Take short courses or in-service courses 
• Read books in the field

Where can you get ideas about teaching methods and techniques?

• Attend talks or demonstrations by other teachers (brown bag lunches)
• Attend workshops
• Attend short courses
• Attend in-services courses at your institution
• Read textbooks and teachers' manuals
• Attend conferences
• Read teacher resource books on teaching theory
• Read academic journals
• Read teaching magazines

Where can you learn more about teaching?

• From observing your own experiences in the next years
• From other teachers
• Get more training

How can you improve your teaching skills?

• By observing other teachers (peers)
• By being observed by other teachers (peers)
• By writing a journal about teaching
• By taping (video and/or audio) your classes
• By observation by more experienced colleagues
• Group discussions with other teachers (informal)
• Group discussions with other teachers (formal)
• Get student feedback
• Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences

Which areas do you think you need to develop in your teaching?

• Obtain new ideas for classroom activities
• Get more experience teaching different courses
• Develop your communication skills
• Improve your English language abilities
• Become more aware of what is happening in your classroom
• Learn more about theory behind language teaching and learning

I do hope that these ideas help to enhance your teaching and learning practices.

Reference
Farrell, T. S. C. (2006). Succeeding with English language learners: A guide for beginning teachers. California: Corwin Press.

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