6/7/2011 4:12:00 PM

Where Do I Go From Here? 10 Strategies for Professional Development Jack C Richards

1.

Find out how you teach What is the Purpose? To discover things you didnt know about yourself To identify your teaching style To identify strengths and weaknesses To discover your action zone To reveal to what extent you achieve learner-centred teaching Monitor your teaching Use another pair of eyes

How do I do it?

2.

Expand your knowledge What is the Purpose? To update your professional knowledge To better equip yourself for your work To prepare yourself for new responsibilities To develop your self-confidence Read Go to seminars and workshops Go on-line Set up a study group Take a course like the TKT

How do I do it?

3.

Improve your own English What is the Purpose? To find out if your English has fossilized To find out what aspects of your English need improvement To expand your English language proficiency To develop your self-confidence Develop a profile through self-assessment

How do I do it?

 4.

Monitor your own language use Invite an advanced speaker to observe you Teach advanced level classes Expand your input in English Go to seminars and workshops Go on-line Set up a study group Take a course like the TKT

Expand your teaching skills What is the Purpose? To develop a broader teaching repertoire To improve your employment prospects To provide a more stimulating teaching experience To become a more creative teacher Teach classes of different levels Teach outside of your comfort zone Observe other teachers classes Team-teach with another teacher

How do I do it?

5.

Monitor your own professional development What is the Purpose? To identify your present strengths and limitations To establish goals for development To identify procedures for achieving your goals Consult with others for their opinion Compare yourself with others Set realizable changes you would like to achieve in the near future

How do I do it?

6.

Research your own teaching What is the Purpose? To develop a deeper understanding of teaching and learning To explore issues and problems To develop ones capacity as a teacher-researcher Identify issues that you would like to explore

How do I do it?

 7.

Learn some data collection techniques Try an action research project Share your findings with other

Develop your own philosophy of teaching What is the Purpose? To become a more confident and informed professional To develop core principles that reflect your understanding of teaching To apply and further develop what you have learned from your teaching experience How do I do it? Try to identify the factors that you believe account for successful teaching and learning Identify reasons underlying things you observe in your classrooms Identify the underlying principles that you apply in your teaching Read what experts say and compare with your own understanding

8.

Collaborate with other teachers What is the Purpose? To learn from others To develop collegiality To help resolve problems and concerns Share planning activities Set up a discussion group Initiate peer observation Find a mentor

How do I do it?

9.

Become a mentor-teacher What is the Purpose? To get recognition for your expertise To help new teachers develop confidence To develop collegiality To prepare yourself for new roles Learn about a mentors responsibilities Offer your services to your co-ordinator

How do I do it?

 10.

Work with a novice teacher and share your skills

Join a network of TESOL professionals What is the Purpose? To collaborate on different issues To get to know other professionals To facilitate inquiry and development To expand your professional contacts Join or form a school or area group Join an on-line group Discuss issues and concerns Invite experts to talk to your group

How do I do it?