TE: Current Trends in English Language Teacher Education, Susan Dawson & Gary Motteram

Using the results of a recent extensive review of changes in language teacher education over the last 10 years, this presentation highlights some of the key changes and trends emerging from that review. We begin by looking at the purpose of the review and outlining the two main phases of the project; a desk-based phase and a global survey. We discuss the methodology used for each phase, the different types of literature reviewed, from the research literature to blog posts, and the innovative use of heatmaps to map changes over time. We present the emerging key trends from the desk-based review and offer some critical observations based on the results. We then show how consensus with the results was tested through a globally distributed survey. In particular, we focus on the areas that teachers and teacher educators believe are important for teachers today and the extent to which these form a part of teachers’ practice and current teacher education. The results show for example, that Artificial Intelligence is considered very important for teachers today, and yet it does not yet form a part of much teacher education. We finish by discussing the implications of the results for ongoing teacher education and conclude with some recommendations for practitioners.

Trinity College London is a leading international exam board that exists to promote and foster communicative and performance skills through assessment, content and training covering music, drama and English Language.

Alongside an ongoing programme of quality teacher support initiatives and resources, Trinity College London offers a range of respected and recognised English teaching qualifications and courses designed to support teachers throughout their careers — from early practitioner to experienced professional. Find courses and learn more at trinitycollege.com/TESOL.