Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework for teacher educators

The British Council's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework describes the professional practices that enable teacher educators to support teachers’ development effectively and promote high-quality teaching across diverse teaching contexts. It is a useful resource for teacher educators and those responsible for their professional learning and can be used to help them to reflect on and strengthen the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional judgement required for successful teacher education. 

The framework has been developed after an extensive review of research on teacher educator expertise across a broad range of settings and roles. It has been further refined through consultations with experienced academics, researchers and teacher educators from across the globe working in different areas of teacher education.

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Who is the framework for?

The framework is primarily intended for teacher educators who support English language teachers and subject teachers who teach through the medium of English. Despite this focus on English language, most professional practices covered by the framework are also relevant to teacher educators who support teachers of any subject area. The framework can also be used by teachers who are looking to transition into the role of teacher educators, school leaders who support teachers, and ministries of education and other educational stakeholders who provide development opportunities for teacher educators.

How to use the framework

The framework can be used in different ways by different people. It is designed to be flexible because teacher educators work in varied contexts, with teachers who have varied needs and in a world that is constantly changing. It also recognises that teachers are often impacted by decisions made elsewhere in the education system at a school, national and sometimes global level.

How is the framework organised?

The framework consists of 11 professional practices that are divided into three areas:  

Knowledge 

• Knowing the subject 
• Understanding the educational context 
• Understanding teacher learning 

Skills 

• Planning teacher learning 
• Managing teacher learning 
• Evaluating teacher competence 
• Supporting ongoing teacher professional development 
• Adopting inclusive practices 
• Supporting remote learning 

Approaches to development 

• Taking responsibility for your own professional development 
• Contributing to the profession.

Stages of development

The framework identifies four stages of development that differentiate between levels of understanding, knowledge and skills in relation to each professional practice. The levels are not linear. We understand that different teacher educators have strengths in different areas and may be at different levels for different professional practices.  

Level 1 – Foundation 

You have the foundations of teaching skills and knowledge on which to build your role as a teacher educator.  

Level 2 – Engagement  

You have developed your skills and knowledge as a teacher educator through practical experience and professional training.  

Level 3 – Integration  

You have achieved a high level of competence as a teacher educator.  

Level 4 – Specialisation  

You act as a point of reference for other teacher educators and as a source of expert opinion. 

Download the CPD Framework for teacher educators