GINA KARLIN -

TEACHER EMPOWERMENT: A CASE STUDY OF A SUSTAINABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN ELT : ELT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional development in ELT (English Language Teaching) can be multifaceted to include workshops, webinars, conferences, and other training modules that focus on teaching methods, curriculum design, materials development, etc. While many institutions strive to promote the importance of professional development initiatives for English language teachers, many professional development programs and policies do not adequately meet teachers’ needs. For professional development programs to be effective and results-driven, institutions and teacher trainers should consider developing programs that are collaborative, have reflective components, and consider the teaching contexts and teachers’ backgrounds. This case study outlined the development and evaluation of a teacher training program designed to enhance the pedagogical skills of the instructors. This paper used a survey-based approach to measure the effectiveness of the program by surveying participating teachers. The preliminary findings demonstrate an improvement in teacher performance with participants reporting enhanced confidence and classroom engagement. The survey results also provided insights into the program’s strengths as well as areas for improvement. This case study will discuss the components used to design a comprehensive professional development plan that assessed teachers’ needs, had clear measurable objectives, and established meaningful activities by empowering teachers to embrace their professional development experience.

Gina Karlin is an English Language Fellow in Jakarta and is working on a project funded by the US Department of State. She has experience in teaching, curriculum development, and teacher training in international tertiary and adult education contexts. She holds a MATESOL and is a Doctoral Candidate at UIUC.