What is the CPD framework for teacher educators?
The framework describes the professional practices that are considered relevant for teacher educators in supporting the professional development of teachers they work with and promoting good teaching across contexts. It is used to help teacher educators, and those involved with the professional development of teacher educators, to think about and further develop the overall competence, knowledge, understanding and skills required for effective and supportive teacher education. It is based on an extensive survey of research into teacher educator competence in a wide range of educational settings and covering a range of teacher educator roles. It has been refined through feedback provided by senior academics and teacher educators from around the world and working in different areas of teacher education.
Download the CPD Framework
Who is the framework for?
The framework is primarily intended for teacher educators who support the professional development of English language teachers and subject teachers who teach through the medium of English. Although the focus is on English, most professional practices 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 in their support of teachers, and by ministries of education and other educational stakeholders in their provision of 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 which provide a description of knowledge, skills, and approaches to development that you can put into practice in your context. Use the links at the bottom of this page to find relevant resources.
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:
Level 1 – Foundation
In relation to the professional practices, thinking about /reviewing/auditing your skills as a classroom teacher, thinking about your knowledge gained from your previous practice, education and qualifications. The focus is on your own skills and knowledge, from which you are able to offer advice to your colleagues on classroom activities and behaviour. You have built a platform for your role as a teacher educator, corresponding to the final developmental level of the CPD Framework for Teachers.
Level 2 – Engagement
In relation to the professional practices, thinking about how your skills and knowledge relate to particular training/development contexts, thinking about how to transfer your skills and knowledge to teachers, thinking about how to develop and support teachers. Organising and delivering professional development activities. Reflecting on this practice. The focus is on your own skills and knowledge in relation to supporting teacher development. You have consolidated your platform of skills and knowledge through engagement with the process of teacher development.
Level 3 – Integration
In relation to the professional practices, thinking about the impact of your skills and knowledge in relation to the professional development of teachers. Refining your skills and knowledge through organising and delivering professional development activities. The focus is on the impact of your own skills and knowledge in relation to an increasing range of training and professional development contexts. You have achieved a high level of competence by integrating your skills and knowledge into your professional outlook and practice.
Level 4 – Specialisation
In relation to the professional practices, thinking about and contributing to our understanding and knowledge of these practices. Acting as a point of reference and as a source of expert opinion.
Find other teacher educator resources
Whichever role or setting you work in, the British Council can support you with your professional and career development. Our support is open to all and free of charge.
- Free online training course for existing teacher educators and those wanting to become a teacher educator in the future
Take part in a free training course 'Helping teachers to learn' for teacher educators and those teachers considering becoming a teacher educator. Find out more.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework for teacher educators
We organise our work around the British Council’s CPD Framework for teacher educators which describes the kinds of knowledge, skills and approaches to professional development that teacher educators need to be effective in their roles.
- Learning pathway builder for teacher educators
If you need a change from traditional expert-led approaches to professional development, the pathway builder is your answer. It's an eight-week programme that provides a structured framework, yet offers the flexibility for you to determine your focus and manage your schedule.
To guide you smoothly through this journey, please follow these systematic steps:- Familiarise yourself with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework for teacher educators.
- Take the Teacher Educator Self-Assessment Tool (TESAT) and use the Profile Chart to record your strengths and the skills areas (professional practices) you’d like to develop further.
- Browse the list of curated resources and select the resources you think will best contribute to developing the areas you identified from the TESAT.
- Download the pathway builder template to record and reflect on how the resource will help you develop your skills and understanding as a teacher educator.
- At the end of the 8-week period, review the learning and reflection in your completed template, submit the Pathway Builder form and download your certificate.
If you’d like to follow a suggested pathway through our selection of resources we have a ready-made pathway for you to take.
We also run a programme with helpful email reminders to keep you on track. Find out when the next round will be.
Use this step-by-step infographic to help you build your learning pathway and show you how to receive a certificate of your learning.- Webinars for teacher educators
Our teacher educator webinars are designed to provide professional development opportunities for you to develop professionally through interactive activities and opportunities to reflect and comment on key themes within teacher education. Join these monthly sessions to give you access to a global network of English Language Teaching experts, educators and trainers who are involved in supporting teachers.
See our complete webinar programme. Sign up for our next scheduled webinar or watch recordings of previous webinars for a teacher educator audience.In our document Using webinar recordings you will find a range of ideas and activities to support your professional development and to help the teachers you work with.
- Monthly teacher educator newsletter
We have a monthly newsletter covering current themes in teacher education and containing news and activity from the teacher educator network. Subscribe here.
- Self-assessment tool and profile chart
Evaluate your current strengths and areas for development:
1. Answer the questions in our teacher educator self-assessment tool
2. Complete your teacher educator profile chart
3. Plan your learning pathway. Here is a completed example profile chart to help you.
Our self-directed learning resources are here for you to use in your learning pathway and are mapped against the CPD framework for teacher educators. These resources, produced by experts and practitioners from around the world, include articles, blog posts, webinars, conference recordings, practical tips, and guidance.- Skills recognition for teacher educators – the Assured Certificate in Teacher Education and more
- 'How to' guides for teacher educators
We have produced the following guides aimed specifically at helping teacher educators in their work:
- How to support teachers online
- How to encourage teachers to engage with research
- How to support teacher motivation, identity and resilience
- How to support teachers in teaching English to learners with special educational needs and disabilities
Find our full collection of research and resource books in our publications section.
- Teacher educator learning resource pack
Download your teacher educator learning resource pack with links to suggestions for professional development and reflection.
