{"id":2469,"date":"2011-12-22T07:17:36","date_gmt":"2011-12-22T07:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eltchat.com\/?p=2469"},"modified":"2011-12-22T07:17:36","modified_gmt":"2011-12-22T07:17:36","slug":"the-elt-teachers-life-cycle-eltchat-summary-14122011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/2011\/12\/22\/the-elt-teachers-life-cycle-eltchat-summary-14122011\/","title":{"rendered":"The ELT teacher\u2019s life cycle #ELTchat summary 14\/12\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ELT teacher\u2019s life cycle: where are you and where should you be given qualifications & experiences; what can you do next? (an #eltchat summary)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Moderators: @Shaunwilden @Marisa_C @ShellTerrell<\/em><\/p>\n

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It was only my second time taking part in #eltchat at the 9pm session on 14th December 2011\u00a0(and I\u2019m a first time summary writer) but it seemed to me that this topic was buzzing!<\/p>\n

There was some general discussion about different types of qualifications, and thought-provoking ideas about why and how to set ourselves goals, as well as how to push our professional development further.<\/p>\n

There was also some discussion about what we mean by \u2018life cycle\u2019, as some people felt this wasn\u2019t the best image for describing our teaching life. A spiral was a more popular image (suggested by @hartle)<\/p>\n

I like the idea of spirals because we never totally abandon one role for another \u2013 we keep them together @Marisa_C<\/p>\n

I think a teacher\u2019s life is like a river, meanders, sometimes has dams to break down, branches out, eventually reaches the sea @naomishema<\/p>\n

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Qualifications:<\/h1>\n

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A large part of where you should be and the qualifications depends on where you want to teach English @ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

My Masters in ESL wasn\u2019t accepted in many institutions across Europe so I got my CELTA with the lovely @Marisa_C. Many institutions want the CELTA because of the teaching practice. In a US Masters you don\u2019t necessarily do that @ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

The disparity in which qualifications are accepted where doesn\u2019t help the profession much\u00a0@Shaunwilden<\/p>\n

In our school you need a cert\/dip rather than a masters @SueAnnan In many schools in Europe I find this to be true @ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

Now with social media, teachers can ask those teaching English in the country what qualifications\/certificates are needed @ShellTerrell getting to know the certificates needed is something we need to know as teachers @lolonagi<\/p>\n

In state schools in Italy, most people don\u2019t know what a Celta is and don\u2019t recognise a Master\u2019s in ESOL if it\u2019s not from Italy @hartle<\/p>\n

I think a non-NEST with a university degree has three routes: 1. academia, 2. state edu institutions, or 3. go free-lance @MarianSteiner<\/p>\n

Important to note that now the CELTA and DELTA have online components so it makes it easier to obtain from your location @ ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

Do CELTA and DELTA really improve prospects? @lolonagi it depends where you\u2019re teaching and how long you plan to stay there @sandymillin<\/p>\n

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Why are qualifications important?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Generally it was agreed that while our schools might not appreciate the time we spend on professional development, it benefits us as teachers, and in turn, our students.<\/p>\n

@aClilToClimb raised concerns about how important qualifications actually are.<\/p>\n

@Shaunwilden pointed out that qualifications can be a useful starting point, and are often important for regulations.<\/p>\n

@ MarianSteiner said that real career development goes hand in hand with investments (time, effort). Financial investment is necessary, too.<\/p>\n

@ShellTerrell suggested asking for certificates for online professional development, such as webinars you\u2019ve attended, which you can then send to your director.<\/p>\n

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Do you think it is important ELT teachers make professional goals? Why?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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There was a resounding yes to this question, and here are a few of the reasons why:<\/p>\n

Definitely, working towards goals helps us prevent becoming stagnant @etguerrero<\/p>\n

Personal goals keep you on your feet! @shaznosel<\/p>\n

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How do we push ourselves?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Social networking was a big one. But there was some concern that we were preaching to the converted! It was suggested that we need to get other people involved in things like #eltchat.<\/p>\n

Other ideas were attending conferences, doing presentations or seminars, or organizing for workshops to take place in your school by asking someone else to come and lead one.<\/p>\n

@bethcagnol summed it up nicely: \u00a0\u201cIn my opinion, all you need is two teachers to have a Professional Development group. Offer to set up PD groups in your school. After classes, over coffee or wine. Share ideas. Start small.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beth also suggested calling on your local #TESOL or #IATEFL association to do workshops in your school.<\/p>\n

There were also some suggestions for free online workshops (see the \u2018links\u2019 section below), and there was much excitement at the reminder from @SueAnnan that registration starts on 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0January for the EVO sessions, which are five week courses in ELT.\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/4VbtSSTl<\/a><\/p>\n

I like the EVO sessions in January. I always learn something new.\u00a0@SueAnnan<\/p>\n

I think that qualifications AND CPD empower teachers to work for the right institutions and be involved in more projects @Marisa_C<\/p>\n

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How do we keep track of these goals?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Blogs, journals, twitter were all mentioned, but @etguerrero also suggested keeping a Google document online to record the professional development you do in your own time.<\/p>\n

@Shaunwilden said that IH school DoSes are supposed to sit down with their teacher one-to-one to discuss what they can do next.<\/p>\n

Finally\u2026 here are some of the goals that #eltchatters have, thanks to connecting with other educators on social media:<\/span><\/h3>\n

To give my students the same experience of global networking @Etguerrero<\/p>\n

Collaborative projects @EveWeb<\/p>\n

My goal this Christmas to start writing my blended learning course @Marisa_C<\/p>\n

My goal for next year is to write articles to share my teaching experiences and research @EveWeb<\/p>\n

To start working as an online Celta tutor @hartle<\/p>\n

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Links:<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Tessa Woodward\u2019s plenary at #iatefl 2010 on this topic\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/YcEzI7NC<\/a>@AnthonyGaughan<\/p>\n

CELTA Without Tears\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/zB9e46Kf<\/a>\u00a0@ ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

http:\/\/seeta.eu\/ \u00a0lots of free online workshops and courses @ Marisa_C<\/p>\n

#BESIG Online Workshops\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/PPyq6yOP)<\/a>\u00a0@bethcagnol<\/p>\n

Podcasting for the ESL\/EFL Classroom\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/sCiMletr<\/a>\u00a0@EveWeb<\/p>\n

Teachers in the EU can get funding for PD in the Grundtvig programmehttp:\/\/t.co\/JCrycR0J<\/a><\/p>\n

@irishmikeh<\/p>\n

If you do your CELTA, this saved my sanity\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/Tpmh9Fa<\/a>\u00a0@ ShellTerrell<\/p>\n

EVO registration\u00a0http:\/\/t.co\/4VbtSSTl<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0You can sign up from 2nd Jan @SueAnnan<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Thanks to everyone for taking part, and to @Shaunwilden @Marisa_C @ShellTerrell for moderating. Have a wonderful Christmas, and see you in 2012!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n
\"\"Thanks to Katy Simpson Davies for this summary first posted on her new blog \u00a0Lessons from my students<\/a>@KatySDavies<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The ELT teacher\u2019s life cycle: where are you and where should you be given qualifications & experiences; what can you do next? (an #eltchat summary)\u00a0   Moderators: @Shaunwilden @Marisa_C @ShellTerrell   It was only my second time taking part in #eltchat at the 9pm session on 14th December 2011\u00a0(and I\u2019m a first time summary writer)…
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