The number of reports and publications about exploratory action research (EAR) has been increasing in recent years; however, there is still a dearth of studies that examine its effectiveness for improving teaching and learning. This study explores Nepalese EFL teachers' perceptions of EAR, the ways they explored their classroom issues, and how…

This study explored how secondary school EFL teachers engaged in professional learning opportunities when they participated in the development of ELT materials. While increasing research has examined language teaching materials and teacher learning, the two research fields have remained largely disconnected, hindering the potential of materials…

This article analyses the practices, beliefs, and challenges of in-service Nepali EFL teachers who are required to carry out action research and submit a written report for their performance appraisal. We have analysed action research reports (n = 88) and interviews (n = 6) with public-school EFL teachers. The findings show that speaking,…

English medium instruction (EMI) is seen as a site for improving students' English language, yet the role of the EMI lecturer in achieving this is contested. Views on what constitutes appropriate training and professional development for EMI lecturers also differ regarding English language skills and EMI-specific methodology. Using Q methodology,…

As part of our longitudinal study of TESOL instructors' engagement with peer-reviewed journal articles in professional reading groups, we examined the processes involved in knowledge co-construction in three group discussions. Audio-recordings of the discussions were analysed using process coding to identify the quality and quantity of the group…

Within the ELT profession there has been some discussion regarding the appropriateness of one-month pre-service teacher training courses such as CELTA. These courses are designed on the assumption that graduates will need further support and professional development in their first post. This paper examines the extent to which 115 newly qualified…

This study explores the impact of students' beliefs on teachers' beliefs regarding oral corrective feedback through a targeted professional development programme. The programme comprised a one-day seminar during which eleven high-school EFL teachers were presented with and discussed the findings of a study of their students' feedback beliefs, and…

This study explores 16 non-native English teachers' beliefs and practices about pronunciation teaching in Hong Kong. Drawing on data from the teachers' written reflections and follow-up interviews, the findings suggest that these non-native English teachers understood the importance and goal of pronunciation teaching but appeared unconfident and…

This article presents the themes that emerge from this Special Issue on language teacher associations (LTAs). I discuss various conceptualizations of LTAs, as well as the different theoretical frameworks which the contributors to the Special Issue use in their analyses. I then focus on some of the ways in which LTAs achieve their mission of…

Experienced teachers are introduced to classroom practice innovations during in-service education and training (INSET) programmes. Teachers return to particular teaching contexts in schools and other institutions after INSET and it is here teachers implement innovations and change classroom practice. However, this implementation is not certain;…

ELT teacher associations, a common phenomenon in most countries around the world, employ different strategies in order to support the professional development of their membership. These associations usually spell out member support policies and strategies in documents such as statutes and websites, and put them into action allowing teachers to…

It is increasingly recognized that opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) are needed to support teaching as lifelong learning, and that if these incorporate a nurturing bottom-up approach, this is more likely to lead to teacher empowerment. However, top-down approaches, including formal courses and workshops on predetermined…

In this article, I describe how an EFL teacher engaged in a process of reflective practice. As she looked back on her teaching career, she explored the critical incidents, principles, and practices that have informed her present teaching identity. I focus on how a taped monologue narrative technique was used, and on the rationale, practice, and…

While Action Research (AR) is promoted as a powerful route for teachers' professional development, different contextual challenges may arise during the process; teachers may be helped to overcome these challenges with the guidance of external facilitators. Drawing on data from interviews and the teachers' AR reports, this article explores how two…

Research engagement is an important means for teachers to develop their professional competence. This paper reports on an enquiry into the research engagement of a group of primary school English language teachers in Guangdong province on the Chinese mainland. Drawing on questionnaire data and teachers' interview narratives, the paper examines how…