What do teachers of English need to know and be able to do?

• 1. What do English teachers need to know and be able to do?Paul Woods British Council Uruguay 30 May , 2014 8th Panama Capacitaciones Conference

2. What does an English teacher need to know?Three areas to consider:1. English language knowledge (skills/systems)2. Pedagogic knowledge (methodology, assessment, classroom management etc.)3. Professional knowledge (role of teacher in society, networks, CPD etc.) 3. What does an English teacher need to know?1. English Language knowledge (skills/systems) B2 level minimum in the CEFR scale This refers to what is considered as upper-intermediate level Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concreteand abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field ofspecialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makesregular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strainfor either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects andexplain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages anddisadvantages of various options. 4. What does an English teacher need to know?1. English Language knowledge (skills/systems)Who offers internationally-recognised B2 level certification in English? Cambridge ESOL (FCE, Bulats) The British Council (IELTS, Aptis) ETS (TOEFL, TOEIC) Trinity College ESOL (ISE) These range in price, format and availability. Some are valid for life. Correlation between teacher language level and teaching ability (why?). 5. What does an English teacher need from his/her training2. Pedagogic knowledge (methodology, assessment, classroommanagement etc.) Classroom management in the EFL classroom Linguistic/didactical knowledge (different from language level) EFL methodology knowledge Lesson planning Evaluation and assessment of learning Continuing professional development 6. What does an English teacher need to know?Classroom management Teacher presence and control Effective seating/grouping of learners Knowledge of learner styles and preferences Understanding of learner motivation Use of resources and technology Knowledge of differentiation strategies Instruction giving Learner backgrounds 7. What does an English teacher need to know?Linguistic/didactical knowledge Basic ELT terminology Knowledge of grammatical, lexical andphonemic rules. L1/L2 comparative knowledge Understanding SLA and differences with FLA 8. What does an English teacher need to know?EFL methodology knowledge Teaching the 4 skills Teaching reading skills/comprehension Teaching listening skills/comprehension Teaching speaking Teaching writing 9. What does an English teacher need to know?Lesson planning Understanding why its important Principles of effective lesson planning Lesson planning practicalities Evaluating lesson plans Selecting and adapting materials ICT use 10. What does an English teacher need to know?Evaluation and assessment of learning Monitoring learners in class Knowledge of different test purposes(diagnostic, progress etc.) Understanding test validity, reliability andpracticality Basic principles of designing EFL tests Understanding summative and formativeevaluation 11. What does an English teacher need to know?3. Professional knowledge (role of teacher in society, networks, CPD etc.)Continuing professional development (CPD)The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Lao TzeDo you have 10 years of experience or the same years experience repeated ten times?- AnonAs a teacher, you need to invest in your own continuing development. Why?This is done in partnership with you, your colleagues, your students and your school.What do in-service teachers say about CPD? 12. What does an English teacher need to know? 13. What does an English teacher need to know? 14. What does an English teacher need to know? 15. The British Councils CPD FrameworkStage1 Starting A trainee teacher of English taking initial training (or an unqualified butpractising teacher of English)2 Newly-qualified A qualified teacher of English in the first two years of practice3 Developing A practising qualified teacher of English with more than two years ofexperience, who needs to develop essential skills4 Proficient An experienced qualified teacher of English with strong all-round knowledgeand skills5 Advanced A highly experienced qualified teacher, who may also be starting to take onspecialist roles6 Specialist In leading and advising roles, such as teacher trainer, manager, materialswriter, researcher or ELT adviser 16. The British Councils CPD Framework 17. The British Councils CPD Framework 18. Check out www.teachingenglish.org.uk 19. EnglishAgenda: a web resource for continuing professionaldevelopmentwww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 20. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagendaAimsBy the end of this section you will have: seen the EnglishAgenda website resources which canbe used for professional development explored and shared some possibleapproaches/strategies for how to organise your ownprofessional development 21. What CPD resources are on EnglishAgenda? guides and handbooks webinars seminars news podcasts publications and research papers funding informationwww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 22. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 23. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 24. News and eventswww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 25. British Council Seminarswww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 26. Most popular seminar recordings: The SECRET of teaching children Motivating the unmotivated The future of global English 10 quotations to make you think What exactly is grammar? Practical guidance in training students to cope with authenticwww.britishcouncil.org/englishagendalistening A diagrammatic approach to teaching Demand High for teachers and learnersDavid Crystal Rupert Lezemore Sheila Thorn Carol ReadJim Scrivener Michael Swan Ken Wilson (x2) 27. Publications and research paperswww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 28. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 29. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagendaTheres no such thing as acareer path. Its crazy paving,and you have to lay ityourself.Sir Dominic Cadbury 30. Providing direction in professional development Identifying areas for development British Council professional development framework European Profiling Grid http://www.epg-project.eu/ European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languageshttp://epostl2.ecml.at/www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda Personal Learning Networks http://www.aplanet-project.eu/ TeachingEnglish facebook page IATEFL SIGs 31. Add that diagram about CPD and networks etcwww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 32. EnglishAgenda search facilitywww.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 33. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 34. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 35. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagendaPlanResources Network Training Watch dyslexia andinclusive learningseminars Watch David Crabtreeswebinar Listen to SEN podcast Read relevant casestudies in British CouncilpublicationJoin SENYLTSIGfacebookgroupTake British CouncilSEN online course 36. www.britishcouncil.org/englishagendaAction Incorporate inclusive learning strategies in my lessonplans Experiment with different types of differentiation in mylessons Keep a journal to evaluate my progress in these areas Make a note of questions I have Get involved in the SEN network and ask my questionsthere Give an INSETT session at school about what Ive learnt 37. Which online resources do you use forprofessional development and how?www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 38. Conclusions Free access to a variety of sources of information(blogs, video, podcasts, webinars, twitter, websites) Lifelong learning Career opportunities Imagine where we would like to be in 5 years: How can we get there? What skills and knowledge do we need? Who can help us? Make a plan, involve others, take action!www.britishcouncil.org/englishagenda 39. Thank you for participating!www.britishcouncil.org/englishagendawww.teachingenglish.org.uk/Paul WoodsEnglish Language Adviser, [email protected]://uruguay.britishcouncil.org