A Study in the Dissemination of Reflective Practice Among English Language Instructors at Tertiary Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to bring reflective teaching to the attention of practising language instructors at tertiary level. With four English instructors a reflective development program was implemented, interviews were held, and action research studies were conducted. The data findings show that instructors' attitudes towards teaching mostly changed as they began to consider their own teaching much more critically. Results of the interviews reveal that these instructors gained more awareness of such issues as increasing motivation, lesson planning, making adaptations to courses, doing classroom research, reflecting on the lesson, and collaborating with colleagues. In action research studies the instructors specifically focused on motivating the learners, updating their own English knowledge, considering students' language level, and using the target language in classes. The results of action research studies indicate that English language teachers need to reflect in/on teaching in order to get advanced professionally. This study can set an example for other educational institutions to organize a similar programme for their language teachers' continuing professional development.