5 Paradigms Of Language: Best Professional Development For Teachers

By Raymond Ross


Professional development is something that every teacher must undertake within their career. Many times, the programs are held as an in-service day workshop, so they are not taken seriously; however, it is important for educators to embrace these programs. Numerous research studies find a direct connection between educators who are consistently involved in professional development and their student's performance in the classroom. Those who participate in courses providing the best professional development for teachers upgrade their skills, master new skills, and responsibilities, and change teaching habits and practices.

Theoreticians have moved to a post-method era in recognition that language teaching and learning is a dynamic system. The system comprises of the teacher as an autonomous agent in the classroom, responsible for making calculated decisions. The decision making is based on their professional training experience and the immediate needs of his or her learners.

Research has reported a positive correlation between collaboration and the teaching profession. Schools that foster teacher collaboration and mentoring between novice and experienced tutors have lower turnover rates. Another study found positive relationships between schools that promote teacher cooperation and achievement scores in math and reading.

The Classroom: Perhaps the most familiar of the five paradigms is PD targeting classroom practice. This comes in the form of reflective practice, peer observations, materials development or adaptation, action research, and experimentation with the new methodology. Formal pre and in-service teacher training concentrate around this paradigm. For educators thinking about PD regarding day-to-day practice, the classroom is the obvious place to start.

Common Planning is critical in the teaching profession. Providing a common planning time based on subject area is a great way for educators in the same subject area to work together and share ideas. This is particularly useful for new tutors to have additional resources other than his/her assigned mentor. Besides, it is vital to appoint a group leader who can facilitate the collaboration process and keep the team focused on the task at hand.

Group activities provide a great way for children to enhance their social and team working skills. Both of these skills are imperative throughout a child's life. Besides, the more experience he or she has at a young age, the more beneficial it will be in the long run.

Besides, there is also the issue of the current policy. Language policies are ubiquitous, influencing both classroom and institutional practice, be they at the national or local level or even external accrediting agencies. Teachers are responsible for carrying out these policies, learning how to accommodate any required changes to their teaching practice. Ongoing PD may be necessary given the scope of a given policy. One excellent example includes the increasing mandate for bilingual education. Alternatively, educators also have the ability to act as change agents, seeking out ways to work with governing bodies to reinforce effective language policies or change those that are less so.

By connecting the teacher's curriculum with the development courses, teachers receive better instructions and students are more successful with learning the subject matter. Also, PD programs are beginning to join the new education reform agenda. By doing this, tutors are implementing both federal and state government regulations into their program.




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