{"id":22687,"date":"2024-04-12T12:04:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T18:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=22687"},"modified":"2024-07-23T11:39:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T17:39:52","slug":"benefits-professional-development-elt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/benefits-professional-development-elt\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Benefits of Professional Development in ELT"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

The importance of professional development for ESL teachers cannot be understated, and just like an effective teacher addresses students\u2019 needs, effective professional development should address the teacher\u2019s specific needs. These may vary depending on the individual\u2019s strengths and weaknesses, teaching context, and career stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, online teachers often deal with a very diverse student population and need to learn effective techniques to reach all of their students. Independent online English teachers<\/a> have to handle interacting with students but also the marketing and business aspects of running an independent teaching venture and must master these skills. A well-designed professional development program should provide teachers with learning opportunities that meet their specific needs, help them deepen and broaden their skills, challenge their assumptions, and foster cooperation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a closer look at the specific benefits of teacher professional development in ELT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read about the types of professional development opportunities available to ESL teachers!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Reflecting on one\u2019s teaching practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the greatest benefits of professional development in ELT is to provide teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their teaching practices<\/a>. As the purpose of professional development is to improve students\u2019 learning outcomes by making teaching more effective, teachers should start by becoming cognizant of what areas in their teaching need improvement. A well-designed ESL teacher development plan will inspire teachers to evaluate their practices and challenge their assumptions about teaching and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about the importance of continuous professional development and how to map out your unique learning path with the guide, Self-Guided Professional Development in ELT.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
Supercharge your career:<\/h5>

Train with Bridge, the Biggest Powerhouse in TEFL<\/h3>

<\/p>Explore Courses<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Learning from others and sharing one\u2019s own expertise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When engaged in professional development, teachers can compare notes with other teachers and share their expertise. A particularly useful concept in this regard is that of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs refer to groups of educators who cooperate regularly to share their expertise and collaborate to improve their teaching. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Kelly, in “Collaboration, Collegiality, and Collective Reflection: A Case Study of Professional Development for Teachers,”<\/a> writes that “PLCs can allow for collaboration and reflective practice, where teachers come together with their colleagues to actively learn about and reflect on their practices.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching can be a solitary business, especially in the age of online classes. Participating in professional development can provide great opportunities to exchange experiences and challenges and form inspiring and lasting connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridge Expert Series webinars<\/a> are a great way to learn from others in the industry! Gathering industry leaders in round-table discussions on topics ranging from pedagogy to teaching English online to career advice, Expert Series webinars provide a flexible solution for ESL teacher development. You can register for free to watch live webinars or join the community<\/a> to access over 75 on-demand webinars<\/a> and earn a certificate of professional development for every completed webinar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent English teachers, or teacherpreneurs, may find it particularly useful to find learning communities and other opportunities to network and collaborate, as working online independently can be a solitary pursuit. Bridge’s Teacherpreneur Academy<\/a> provides access to an exclusive platform for resource sharing, continuous learning, and direct engagement with networking sessions and expert-led workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"panelists
The library of on-demand Expert Series webinars is organized in pathways such as 21st-century teaching, Business English, teaching methodologies, and more.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Boosting your resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prioritizing professional development can do much to boost a teacher\u2019s resume. For example, investing some time in TEFL certification<\/a> can open new career opportunities for teachers, whether they teach online or in person. Many schools require certification of at least 120 hours<\/a> as a prerequisite for hiring, but those who go above and beyond and earn additional credentials, such as Specialized Certification or Micro-credential Course Certificates, stand out from other applicants and are usually better paid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialized Certification<\/a> can also help you break into new TEFL niches<\/a>, such as Teaching Business English<\/a> or Teaching English Online<\/a>. Micro-credentials<\/a>, on the other hand, are short courses that offer targeted training in ELT subfields like Teaching English Pronunciation<\/a> or Teaching IELTS Exam Prep<\/a>. Professional development TEFL courses can help take your career to the next level and set your resume apart from others, as it shows your dedication to lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Revitalizing your teaching practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have all experienced that moment when the teaching routines we have relied on for a while start to feel boring or stale. Like actors on a stage, teachers need inspiration to be effective communicators and involve students in the learning process. One of the benefits of professional development in ELT is to revitalize one\u2019s teaching practices. There is a thrill in learning something new and a sense of anticipation that makes teaching exciting again and that makes teachers look forward to the time when they can apply the newly-acquired skills in their classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out 8 strategies for avoiding burnout when teaching English online.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a
Many professional development courses and resources can be done online.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Bolstering the ESL department as a whole<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For teachers working within a traditional ESL department, the benefits of professional development extend to the department as a whole. Administrators can tailor professional development to address specific issues and can receive direct input from teachers to address the specific learning needs of the student body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advantages of a professional development program organized at the department level are many:<\/p>\n\n\n