What it means to be a professional teacher

Watch a recording of this webinar with James Bukowski, looking at what it means to be a professional teacher.

About the webinar

In recent years, academics and key figures in English language teaching (ELT) have spoken about how the sector is moving towards being a specialised field, based on high professional standards, and how this move towards professionalism benefits learners, parents and other stakeholders, as well as teachers. But much of this discussion has been on changes that teacher educators, schools and lawmakers need to make in order to professionalise ELT. But what can we do, as teachers, to reflect the values professionalism both inside and outside our classrooms?

This talk will start by taking a look at what it means to be a professional teacher and the wide array of competencies a professional teacher needs to have: subject knowledge, lesson planning abilities, lesson delivery skills, and commitment to successful student learning and inclusion.

It will then go on to share practical steps that we can take to prioritise our professional learning and development, challenge unprofessionalism and to build and contribute towards a culture of learning within our own teaching contexts.


Recorded on 2 March 2023


Watch a recording of the webinar below


About the speaker

James Bukowski has worked in education and training for over 15 years, variously as a teacher, teacher trainer, examiner and academic manager. He is currently a Teaching Quality Manager for English Online, British Council's flagship online learning product for adults. He has particular interests in IELTS, teaching pronunciation and professionalism within ELT. He holds degrees in education and English, CELTA, DELTA and various other teaching and training qualifications, and has presented at teacher conferences in Poland, the UK and Slovakia.


 

Downloads

Comments

Submitted by GusGalvao on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 16:29

I am so happy for finding this webinar. Finally someone who is very outspoken in regards deep issues we find daily in our sector. This was very motivational and gives me so much hope, especially living in Japan where the ESL sector is degraded, unfair and demotivating. I literally am looking forward to taking part of more and more webinars like this one. By the way, not sure whether I should use the comment section to question about certificates, but do we get to have certificates after watching the webinars?

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Wed, 06/07/2023 - 09:15

In reply to by GusGalvao

Hi GusGalvao

Glad you enjoyed the webinar! We only provide certificates for people who join the event live I'm afraid. You can keep up to date with all our latest webinars on this page: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/news-and-events/webinars

Thanks,

Cath
TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by Jisha on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 03:52

The video was an eye opener for me regarding the meaning of Professionalism, the various threats we face as English teachers and the ways to overcome those threats by being professional. Thank you very much for this wonderful video.

Submitted by Ebtehaj on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 22:48

I appreciate your sharing of your expertise, Mr Paul. I feel highly motivated by your speech & you have opened my eyes to areas that would get my career to the next level. Thank you

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