Exploring Innovation and change in English language education for professional development: Theory to practice, Practice to theory

Abstract

Innovation and change in language education has been a subject of interest for both educators and researchers for many years. Driven by professional dissatisfaction with the status quo in local contexts or, increasingly, by the imperatives of quality audits and external course assessments, questions concerning the design, implementation and maintenance of innovation and change are, perhaps more than ever before, of central concern to teachers.

This interactive session will first explore the processes of change and adoption of innovation and discuss factors affecting change and innovation in English language education. Case studies will be used for illustration. Then drawing on teachers’ experiences and the theoretical perspectives, participants can examine their own teaching contexts and practices for initiating innovation and change, and they can generate their own theory from practice. It is hoped that this discussion session will provide insights into professional development for facilitating teacher change and teaching innovation.