scholarly journals Exploring Change in EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of Professional Development

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mohammadi ◽  
Khaled Moradi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Professional Development Programs

AbstractContinuous professional development (CPD) is important for teachers in attaining sustainable education. Accordingly, exploring teachers’ perceptions could be a significant endeavor as teachers’ beliefs impact their classroom practices, thereby, impacting student learning and, thus have educational implications. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate this fundamental issue via establishing professional development workshops to train teachers in order to promote sustainable professional growth. It examined 86 EFL teachers’ beliefs and attitudes toward CPD before and after attending workshops for professional development. The data were collected through a questionnaire and a follow-up interview. Paired-samples t-tests were run to measure differences between responses of pre and post surveys. Moreover, raw frequencies and percentages were calculated in order to prioritize the items the teachers selected in each variable. The findings demonstrate that beliefs about CPD can change. Survey data collected before and after professional development workshops revealed a statistical significant shift in EFL teachers’ beliefs. This finding was also supported by semi-structured interviews. In addition, the results also revealed that the participants perceived customized professional development programs with professional development framework as a beneficial tool to be included in the professional development programs. The study may have some pedagogical implications to be utilized in the educational process directed at sustainable professional development.

The Willingness of Jordanian EFL Teachers to Endure Taking Online Professional Development Programs Rather Than Face to Face: رغبة معلمي اللغة الإنجليزية في متابعة الانخراط بالتنمية المهنية عن بعد عوضا عن التعلم المباشر

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (48) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suha Abdulrazzaq Slim
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Online Professional Development ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
Face To Face Learning

This study attempts to investigate the willingness of Jordanian EFL teachers to endure taking Online Professional Development Programs (OPD) rather than face to face learning in both private and public schools. Therefore, a qualitative research methodology was carried out to examine the extent to which Jordanian EFL teachers are willing to endure taking Online Professional Development Programs (OPD) rather than face to face learning. Data were collected via online interviews with teachers through e-Learning forums as well as other means of interactive social Medias such as Zoom, Facetime and Microsoft teams during COVID-19 Pandemic in the second semester of the scholastic year 2019-2020. Ten EFL teachers were randomly chosen from forty public and private EFL school teachers to respond to the interviews. The sample consisted of ten teachers who were selected randomly for the interview. The interview content focused on two domains which are: the challenges faced teachers in online learning and the good learning practices experienced by EFL teachers during online learning regarding their experiences through the pandemic. The interviews were taking the form of semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of EFL teachers are unwilling to continue taking online professional development programs as they faced many troubles and obstacles through experiencing distant learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic as part of their first hands on experience. Two teachers showed a tendency to continue Online Professional Development Programs in parallel with face to face programs.

Developing effective professional development programs: a case study

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 542-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Guo
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Need Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Professional Development ◽  
Professional Development Programs

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the practices of a well-established professional development committee (PDC) at an academic library to reveal the development of effective professional development programs with various themes and the diversified delivering formats and the assessment of library employees’ training needs and the effectiveness of professional development programs with Needs Assessment Surveys and Program Follow-up Employee Opinion Surveys. Professional development programs are widely adopted in academic libraries to support the professional growth of library employees and improve the quality of library services. Developing, promoting and administering professional development programs are main responsibilities of the PDC. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based upon the PDC’s recent practices since 2011. The Needs Assessment Surveys (in 2012 and 2013) are conducted electronically, so are the Opinion Surveys since 2013 which are formerly conducted in paper. Findings – The well-planned professional development program themes with special designed delivery formats have demonstrated their effectiveness through high attendance of each professional development event. The positive results and high compliments from both Need Assessment Surveys and Opinion Surveys also endorse their values to employee’s professional growth. Originality/value – This paper classifies various professional development program ideas into six program themes and three special delivery formats, and each is presented with intention, planning and organization. This paper also provides details of using different Need Assessment Surveys and Opinion Surveys for evaluation, which is also lacked in published literature.

scholarly journals English Teachers’ Attitude towards Professional Development in Kuwait

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Maisoun Alzankawi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Pedagogical Tools ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Professional Development Programs

Teacher professional development is a life-long and continuous process in which teachers are expected to upgrade their knowledge, master new skills, and change their practices since advancement in their teaching career is finally for their students and education reform. Besides, teachers and their professional development must be seen as an investment. This study is designed to investigate the English teachers’ attitude towards professional development in Kuwait and the problems encountered by those teachers, and their need for professional development programs. It intends to devise innovative approaches for English teacher’s development in Kuwait based on teachers’ requirements to provide those teachers with all they need to overcome the obstacles they face in their professional lives. It will also assess teachers’ preferences of the pedagogical tools that enable them to convey the instructional material. The participants in this study were 20 experienced in-service English teachers who were chosen randomly from three different institutes at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) in Kuwait. Data were gathered from two main sources: Interviews with in-service teachers of English, and questionnaires. Specifically, the study aimed to address questions related to the teachers’ future development and the possible problems facing them or expects that might face them in the future, and their feedback about the challenges and difficulties of teaching English in Kuwait. The findings revealed a lack of teachers’ development in some particular areas that need more skill development of English teachers. Intensive training courses should be applied for the in-service teachers, and professional development programs should promote and enhance teaching effectiveness and support professional growth. Teachers’ professional development should permit the transition to higher status and responsibility roles within the teaching profession. Therefore, teachers need access to new research and acknowledgment in teaching literacy, language development, and an integrated curriculum. Moreover, they need appropriate up-to-date qualifications in both the content area of the subject and teaching methodology. They also need opportunities to share expertise with other experienced teachers and educators, leading to reflection on practice. Furthermore, high-quality teaching should be focused on developing a strong, well informed, and well supported professional body to respond to community and educational concerns. Also, access to professional development is of paramount importance as it enables teachers to improve students’ learning outcomes. Finally, English teachers can actively participate in evaluating teaching practices and programs; and actively participate in the implementation of local state and national curriculum initiatives. 

scholarly journals Novice and Experienced EFL Teachers: Which Professional Development Programs Matters for Our Classroom?

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 1243
Author(s):  
Shandra Nitalinawati
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Experienced Teachers ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong> This study aimed at exploring the perceptions of EFL novice and experienced teachers on the impact of professional development programs to their teaching practice. The design of this study is a descriptive study by using in-depth interviews for gaining the data. The result of this study revealed that novice and experienced teachers have different needs in developing their professionalism. This differences then lead to different preferences of development programs which really fulfill their needs and influence their teaching practice. Meanwhile, both teachers agree that the time permission is the most important factor of a successful development programs for teachers.</p><strong>Abstrak:</strong><em> </em>Penelitian ini menyelidiki persepsi guru Bahasa Inggris pemula dan guru berpengalaman dalam dampak kegiatan pengembangan keprofesian terhadap kegiatan pembelajaran mereka. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode wawancara mendalam dengan pertanyaan-pertanyaan terbuka. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa guru bahasa Inggris pemula dan berpengalaman memiliki kebutuhan yang berbeda dalam mengembangkan profesionalisme mereka. Perbedaan ini kemudian mengarah pada perbedaan pilihan kegiatan pengembangan keprofesian.

scholarly journals Language Teachers' Beliefs and Practices

2017 ◽  
pp. 208-229
Author(s):  
Leyla Silman-Karanfil ◽  
Mark Ian Payne
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
The Impact

The impact of professional development programs on teachers' beliefs is still an exploratory field, with existing research finding both positive and weak impacts of teacher education on teachers' beliefs. Building upon these findings, it is acknowledged that many challenges remain in designing focused professional development programs. This chapter addresses the problem by drawing on a study conducted with Higher Education teachers in North Cyprus. The study aimed to unveil teachers' beliefs about in-class code-switching in teaching a foreign language. Using a qualitative methodology, data in the form of classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, course documents and field notes were collected and analyzed thematically. Findings suggest that cultures of learning, that is teachers' frameworks of expectations about successful teaching and learning, have a significant impact on teachers' beliefs. The authors suggest that an acknowledgement of cultural frames will facilitate appropriate professional development.

Principals’ Policy Preferences concerning Accountability: Implications for Key Competencies, Performance Indicators, and Professional Development

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 448-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. S. Mac Macpherson ◽  
Margaret Taplin
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Policy Preferences ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Key Competencies ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
Accountability Practices ◽  
State Schools

In this paper, we examine the policy preferences of Tasmania's principals concerning accountability criteria and processes, compare their views to other stakeholder groups, and identify issues that warrant attention in principals’ professional development programs. We show that there are many criteria and processes related to the quality of learning, teaching, and leadership that are valued by all stakeholder groups, including principals. We conclude that Tasmanian state schools probably need to review and develop their accountability policies, and that the professional development will need to prepare leaders for specific forms of performance and generate key competencies if more educative forms of accountability practices are to be realised in practice.

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