DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14234/elehe.v2i1.16
Joy Northcott
Abstract
This article discusses a small-scale qualitative research study which examined the mid-career reflections of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers about their earlier training on the post-graduate in-service Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) programme. Participants offered observations on their experience which varied from extremely positive to highly critical, but most were able to testify to at least some continuing value of their earlier professional training. Some continued to make extensive use of techniques originally learned on the DELTA, decades later, whereas others were less convinced about the long-term value of their training experience. In this article four key factors are identified which appear to be associated with greater resilience of learning: the kind of motivation which participants brought to the course; the capacity of students and tutors to generate a “community of learning”; the course as a fully integrated learning experience; and post-course consolidation.
Full Text:
References
Bennett, P. (1999) "From secondary school blues to lifelong learning? – Aspects of the retrospective re-evaluation of formative educational experience by adults", International Journal of Lifelong Learning. 18 (3): 155-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026013799293766
Berliner, D. (1994) "Teacher Expertise" in Moon, B. and Shelton Mayes, A. (eds) Teaching and Learning in the Secondary School, London: Routledge.
Bird, M., Ding, S., Hanson, A., Leontovitsch, A. and McCartney, R. (2005) "There is Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory: an examination of the outcomes of a "traditional" MA in Education for educational professionals", Journal of In-service Education. 31 (3): 427-453.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580500200495
Burchell, H., Dyson, J. and Rees, M. (2002) "Making a Difference: a study of the impact of Continuing Professional Development on professional practice", Journal of In-service Education. 28 (2): 219-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580200200180
Cope, P., Inglis, B., Riddell, S. and Sulhunt, O. (1992) "The value of in-service degrees: teachers" long-term perceptions of their impact", British Educational Research Journal. 18 (3): 297-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0141192920180307
Davies, R. and Preston, M. (2002) "An Evaluation of the Impact of Continuing Professional Development on Personal and Professional Lives", Journal of In-service Education. 28 (2): 231- 254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580200200181
Day, C. (1999) Developing Teachers: the challenges of lifelong learning, London: Falmer. Drever, E. (1995) Using Semi-structured Interviews in Small-scale Research, Edinburgh: The Scottish Council for Research in Education. Eraut, M. (1994) Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence, London: Falmer.
Freeman, D. (1989) "Teacher training, development and decision-making: a model of teaching and related strategies for language teacher education", TESOL Quarterly. 23 (1): 27-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3587506
Freeman, D. (1992) "Language teacher education, emerging discourse, and change in classroom practice" in Flowerdew, J., Brock, M. and Hsia, S. (eds) Perspectives on Second Language Teacher Education, Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
Freeman, D. (2002) "The hidden side of the work: Teacher knowledge and learning to teach", Language Teaching. 35: 1-13.http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0261444801001720
Fullan, M. (2001) The New Meaning of Educational Change, (3rd edn). London: RoutledgeFalmer.
Gillham, B. (2000) Case Study Research Methods, London: Continuum. Gomm, R., Hammersley, M. and Foster, P. (eds) (2000) Case Study Method, London: Sage.
Harmer, J. (1988) "Swinging in from a chandelier – reminiscences of preparatory training courses" in Duff, T. Explorations in Teacher Training, London: Longman.
Hayes, D. (1995) "In-service teacher development: some basic principles", English Language Teaching Journal. 49 (3): 252-261.http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/49.3.252
Huberman, M. (1995) The Lives of Teachers, London: Cassell.
PMCid:PMC230478
Johnston, B. (1994) "Teacher education and the MA in ESL: the students" perspective" in Li, D.C.S., Mahoney, D. and Richards, J. (eds) Exploring Second Language Teacher Development, Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
Knight, P., Tait, J. and Yorke, M. (2006) "The professional learning of teachers in higher education", Studies in Higher Education. 31 (3): 319-339.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075070600680786
Knowles, M. (1996) "Andragogy: an emerging technology for adult learning" in Edwards, R., Hanson, A. and Raggatt, P. (eds) Boundaries of Adult Learning, London: Routledge in association with The Open University.
McDonough, J. and McDonough, S. (1997) Research Methods for English Language Teachers, London: Arnold.
Patton, M. (2002), Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Powell, E. and Terrell, I. with Furey, S. and Scott-Evans, A. (2003) "Teachers" Perceptions of the Impact of CPD: an institutional case study", Journal of In-service Education. 29 (3): 389 – 404. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580300200282
Powell, J. (1985) "The Residues of Learning: Autobiographical Accounts by Graduates of the Impact of Higher Education", Higher Education. 14: 127 – 147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00137480
Powney, J. and Watts, M. (1987) Interviewing in Educational Research, London: Routledge.
Rhodes, C. and Houghton-Hill, S. (2000) "The Linkage of Continuing Professional Development and the Classroom Experience of Pupils: barriers perceived by senior managers in some secondary schools", Journal of In-service Education. 26 (3): 423-435.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580000200148
Roberts, J. (1998) Language Teacher Education, London: Arnold.
Ryan, R. and Deci, E. (2000) "Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: classic definitions and new directions", Contemporary Educational Psychology. 25: 54-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1020
PMid:10620381
Singh, G. and Richards, J. (2006) "Teaching and Learning in the Language Teacher Education Course Room: a Critical Sociocultural Perspective", RELC Journal. 37 (2): 149-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0033688206067426
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1998,) Basics of Qualitative Research, (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Waters, A. (2006) "Facilitating follow-up in ELT INSET", Language Teaching Research. 10 (1): 2-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1362168806lr183oa
Waters, A. and Vilches, M. (2000) "Integrating teacher learning: the School-Based Follow-up Development Activity", English Language Teaching Journal. 54 (2): 126-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/54.2.126
Wenger, E. (1999) Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Williams, R. (2005) "The Role of Academic Study in Teachers" Professional Development", Journal of In-Service Education. 31 (3): 455-469.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580500200498
Bennett, P. (1999) "From secondary school blues to lifelong learning? – Aspects of the retrospective re-evaluation of formative educational experience by adults", International Journal of Lifelong Learning. 18 (3): 155-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026013799293766
Berliner, D. (1994) "Teacher Expertise" in Moon, B. and Shelton Mayes, A. (eds) Teaching and Learning in the Secondary School, London: Routledge.
Bird, M., Ding, S., Hanson, A., Leontovitsch, A. and McCartney, R. (2005) "There is Nothing as Practical as a Good Theory: an examination of the outcomes of a "traditional" MA in Education for educational professionals", Journal of In-service Education. 31 (3): 427-453.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580500200495
Burchell, H., Dyson, J. and Rees, M. (2002) "Making a Difference: a study of the impact of Continuing Professional Development on professional practice", Journal of In-service Education. 28 (2): 219-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580200200180
Cope, P., Inglis, B., Riddell, S. and Sulhunt, O. (1992) "The value of in-service degrees: teachers" long-term perceptions of their impact", British Educational Research Journal. 18 (3): 297-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0141192920180307
Davies, R. and Preston, M. (2002) "An Evaluation of the Impact of Continuing Professional Development on Personal and Professional Lives", Journal of In-service Education. 28 (2): 231- 254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580200200181
Day, C. (1999) Developing Teachers: the challenges of lifelong learning, London: Falmer. Drever, E. (1995) Using Semi-structured Interviews in Small-scale Research, Edinburgh: The Scottish Council for Research in Education. Eraut, M. (1994) Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence, London: Falmer.
Freeman, D. (1989) "Teacher training, development and decision-making: a model of teaching and related strategies for language teacher education", TESOL Quarterly. 23 (1): 27-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3587506
Freeman, D. (1992) "Language teacher education, emerging discourse, and change in classroom practice" in Flowerdew, J., Brock, M. and Hsia, S. (eds) Perspectives on Second Language Teacher Education, Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
Freeman, D. (2002) "The hidden side of the work: Teacher knowledge and learning to teach", Language Teaching. 35: 1-13.http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0261444801001720
Fullan, M. (2001) The New Meaning of Educational Change, (3rd edn). London: RoutledgeFalmer.
Gillham, B. (2000) Case Study Research Methods, London: Continuum. Gomm, R., Hammersley, M. and Foster, P. (eds) (2000) Case Study Method, London: Sage.
Harmer, J. (1988) "Swinging in from a chandelier – reminiscences of preparatory training courses" in Duff, T. Explorations in Teacher Training, London: Longman.
Hayes, D. (1995) "In-service teacher development: some basic principles", English Language Teaching Journal. 49 (3): 252-261.http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/49.3.252
Huberman, M. (1995) The Lives of Teachers, London: Cassell.
PMCid:PMC230478
Johnston, B. (1994) "Teacher education and the MA in ESL: the students" perspective" in Li, D.C.S., Mahoney, D. and Richards, J. (eds) Exploring Second Language Teacher Development, Hong Kong: City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
Knight, P., Tait, J. and Yorke, M. (2006) "The professional learning of teachers in higher education", Studies in Higher Education. 31 (3): 319-339.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075070600680786
Knowles, M. (1996) "Andragogy: an emerging technology for adult learning" in Edwards, R., Hanson, A. and Raggatt, P. (eds) Boundaries of Adult Learning, London: Routledge in association with The Open University.
McDonough, J. and McDonough, S. (1997) Research Methods for English Language Teachers, London: Arnold.
Patton, M. (2002), Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Powell, E. and Terrell, I. with Furey, S. and Scott-Evans, A. (2003) "Teachers" Perceptions of the Impact of CPD: an institutional case study", Journal of In-service Education. 29 (3): 389 – 404. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580300200282
Powell, J. (1985) "The Residues of Learning: Autobiographical Accounts by Graduates of the Impact of Higher Education", Higher Education. 14: 127 – 147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00137480
Powney, J. and Watts, M. (1987) Interviewing in Educational Research, London: Routledge.
Rhodes, C. and Houghton-Hill, S. (2000) "The Linkage of Continuing Professional Development and the Classroom Experience of Pupils: barriers perceived by senior managers in some secondary schools", Journal of In-service Education. 26 (3): 423-435.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580000200148
Roberts, J. (1998) Language Teacher Education, London: Arnold.
Ryan, R. and Deci, E. (2000) "Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: classic definitions and new directions", Contemporary Educational Psychology. 25: 54-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1020
PMid:10620381
Singh, G. and Richards, J. (2006) "Teaching and Learning in the Language Teacher Education Course Room: a Critical Sociocultural Perspective", RELC Journal. 37 (2): 149-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0033688206067426
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1998,) Basics of Qualitative Research, (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.
Waters, A. (2006) "Facilitating follow-up in ELT INSET", Language Teaching Research. 10 (1): 2-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1362168806lr183oa
Waters, A. and Vilches, M. (2000) "Integrating teacher learning: the School-Based Follow-up Development Activity", English Language Teaching Journal. 54 (2): 126-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/54.2.126
Wenger, E. (1999) Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Williams, R. (2005) "The Role of Academic Study in Teachers" Professional Development", Journal of In-Service Education. 31 (3): 455-469.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674580500200498
The Journal Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education can be found at: http://journals.northampton.ac.uk/index.php/elehe/index
No comments:
Post a Comment