Routes to excellence Continuing Professional Development in ELT An Online British Council Initiative Richard Gresswell IATEFL 2012, Glasgow

Routes to excellence

Routes to excellence Workshop Objectives What is CPD? Why is CPD important? What kind of CPD opportunities are available? How can we use the CPD portal as a CPD resource?

Routes to excellence

Questions to consider in relation to CPD What kind of institution do you work in? How long have you been working in ELT? What English language teaching qualifications have you got? What are your development needs and aims? What are your preferred development activities?

Routes to excellence

More than 10 years 2-5 years 6-9 years

Routes to excellence

What counts as CPD?

Routes to excellence Types of CPD activities – some possibilities Conferences Magazines Materials Membership Mentoring Observation Reflection Research Specialisation Training Workshops Social media

Routes to excellence

The stages of the British Council Continuing Professional Framework Novice teachers 1 Starting Youre studying for your initial certificate and planning your first job in English language teaching. 2 Newly- qualified You have an initial qualification and are in your first two years of teaching, putting the principles youve learned into practice. Teachers with experience 3 Developing You are a practising qualified teacher of English with more than two years of experience, and are developing your teaching skills. 4 Proficient You are an experienced qualified teacher of English with strong all- round knowledge and skills. Teachers progressing into more advanced roles 5 Advanced You are a highly-experienced qualified teacher, who may be taking on further responsibilities and roles, for example as a senior teacher or a mentor. 6 Specialist You have taken on leading and advising roles, such as director of studies, teacher trainer, materials writer, inspector.

Routes to excellence 1Starting Learning the principles 2Newly-qualified Putting principles into practice 3Developing Building confidence and skills 4Proficient Demonstrating confidence, experience and reflection 5Advanced Exemplifying good practice 6Specialist Leading and advising Pathways Courses Resources Networks Continuing Professional Development Framework

Routes to excellence The stages of the British Council Continuing Professional Framework Novice teachers 1 Starting Learning the principles 2 Newly- qualified Putting principles into practice Teachers with experience 3 Developing Building confidence and skills 4 Proficient Demonstrating confidence, experience and reflection Teachers progressing into more advanced roles 5 Advanced Exemplifying good practice 6 Specialist Leading and advising

Routes to excellence Alex Bailey

Routes to excellence Questions asked in the video 1. Who are you and what do you do? 2. How and why did you become a…..? 3. What advice would you give someone who wants to work as a…..? 4. What kinds of things do you do in order to develop professionally? 5. How do you see your career developing in the future? Activity Now work with a partner and briefly interview them using these questions, then decide where you would place them on the Framework. Discuss together afterwards.

Routes to excellence

4 Proficient 6 Specialist 3 Developing 5 Advanced

Routes to excellence How can the CPD portal help us It gives us a point of reference in relation to other ELT professionals helping us to identify our development needs and aims. Lets take a newly qualified teacher like Alex Bailey as an example

Routes to excellence Common needs for newly qualified teachers Understanding your learners Building your confidence as a teacher of English Getting feedback on your teaching Turning theory into practice Knowing where to find classroom resources Learning more about specific areas of ELT

Routes to excellence Which can be developed into aims You are also learning how to teach in a real context, including: Focusing less on your plan and more on your learners Managing your time efficiently in planning and classroom management Planning for the longer term – week / month / course Being open to feedback and constructive criticism

Routes to excellence Do you show any of these positive features? You attend workshops and actively look for ways to develop teaching. You ask for / share and try new ideas. You view asking for assistance as a positive form of development. You are enthusiastic and like to talk about what went well. You seek guidance and input. You understand and seek to meet student needs. A lot of teaching techniques are becoming second nature to you.

Routes to excellence Do you show any of these negative features? You over-plan by micromanaging classes and dont allow lessons to emerge. You feel that asking for help is a form of weakness You tend to ignore the importance of administration. You act independently of others in the learning centre and dont support their work. You get negative feedback from students. You still struggle with basic teaching techniques.

Routes to excellence YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Routes to excellence So why doesnt it always happen? Money Time Difficulty Culture – internal / external …but of course it can

Routes to excellence Thank you! Richard Gresswell