TIM STEWART -

TEACHERS AS LEARNERS THROUGH CLASSROOM RESEARCH : ELT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The concept of teachers-as-researchers that has gained momentum in the TESOL field since the 1980s. Over this time, the debate about the feasibility of teachers doing research has continued. With this in mind, the paper addresses these questions: How are the various types of TESOL classroom research defined? Who are the practitioners of classroom research? and, What are potential benefits and obstacles related to TESOL classroom research for teachers? Finally, participants will consider the prospects for teacher learning offered through team learning in the classroom. The team learning concept draws from a communities of practice pedagogical orientation. Arnold and Brown (1999, p. 4) argue that: “a good language teacher knows and does but most essentially is”. This philosophy underpins the concept of team learning – that a second language teacher who is able to maximize her professional potential in the classroom is, foremost, a learner.

Tim Stewart is Professor of TESOL at Kyoto University in Japan. He has published on TESOL classroom research, team teaching/learning and professional development. Tim has served as an editor for International TESOL Association since 2006. Most recently, he was the series editor for the six-book series TESOL Voices (TESOL Press).