Introduction
It is unarguably true that Continuing Professional Development (CPD), therefore teacher-learning may not be effective if teachers as classroom practitioners are not intrinsically motivated to improve their practice. In other words, teaching is a long-term process of self-assessment, and critical reflection that leads conscious teachers to what Smith (2003) refers to as teacher-learner autonomy.
Teacher learning has to a large extend a great impact on students' performances, therefore taking control of our own professional development is a must for the sake of self-improvement and growth.
Teacher learning has to a large extend a great impact on students' performances, therefore taking control of our own professional development is a must for the sake of self-improvement and growth.
There are a couple of Websites that can help teachers to upgrade their knowledge and students to learn autonomously. You can also visit the blogs' pages and links for more insights.
Websites can benefit both teachers and learners as they represent a wealth of online resources that can be used for teaching and learning. They can be accessed everywhere as long as you have internet connection. Some websites offer training courses, teaching tips, practices, useful videos and a bank of materials. Many sites are specialised in English Language Teaching, so they offer professional development opportunities such as recorded webinars and conferences that can be beneficial for every teacher. Websites also enhance teachers' and learners' autonomy.
Benefits of using websites
Websites can benefit both teachers and learners as they represent a wealth of online resources that can be used for teaching and learning. They can be accessed everywhere as long as you have internet connection. Some websites offer training courses, teaching tips, practices, useful videos and a bank of materials. Many sites are specialised in English Language Teaching, so they offer professional development opportunities such as recorded webinars and conferences that can be beneficial for every teacher. Websites also enhance teachers' and learners' autonomy.
- ELT websites for teachers
Because of inadequate or 'short-track teacher training programs' (Korthagen, 2004: 78) in some contexts, many teachers are not trained to integrate ICT in English Language Teaching. Even though CPD programs focus on the overarching importance of using technology for teaching and learning, there is no practical emphasis on the issue. However, ' using websites is one of the easiest and least stressful ways of getting started with technology' (Dudeney, 2007: 27). This post aims at raising teachers' awareness on the use of relevant ELT websites that can help them and their learners to learn more about ICT, useful educational tools and classroom practices.
- TeacherTrainingVideos.com, known as TTV, is Russell Stannard's wonderful website which offers ELT practitioners and English language teachers key technology tips with insightful video presentations. All the videos are free and will guide you through the use of up-to-date technology tools such as Moodle, Edmodo, Camtasia and so on. You can also follow his channel on youtube (Teacher Training Videos) and benefit from complete courses for free. Teacher training videos is a bank of educational tools and useful courses that will guide you through making your own website or blog in a short period of time. You can also follow him on twitter at Russell 1955.
- Watch the introduction to Teacher Training Videos.
- Another website that I highly recommend is elt-training.com by Jo Gakonga, ESOL teacher and teacher trainer at the University of Warwick. This website offers online support and training for trainee and novice English language teachers with a variety of courses and free training videos on grammar, classroom techniques and using the internet. You can also watch a couple of short video lessons on her youtube channel elttraining.
Here is an example from Jo's channel
More websites for teachers
- http://teachingenglish.org.uk/teacher-development
- https://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/
- http://www.cambridge.org/gb/cambridgeenglish/teacher-development/
- http://www.oxfordtefl.com/
- https://www.pearsonelt.com/Some considerations
Some considerations
Even though websites are easy-to-use learning tools, they should not be the only resources that teachers resort to for their own professional development. Learning online also requires critical evaluation and reflection on any tool, material or classroom activity before putting them into practice.
2. Useful websites for learners
- Lyrics Training: Great website for listening and writing as learners can listen to a song of their choice and complete the lyrics while playing it. Failure to fill in the gap will cause the song to stop until they find the right answer. They can choose from beginner to advanced level.
- Simple English Videos: This website by Vicky Hollett offers a bank of simple learning videos for your students. Videos are powerful learning tools so let your learners make the most of it.
More Websites for learners
Some limitations
Giving your learners a list of websites is not enough and can be daunting if they do not know how to use them. Therefore, presenting different websites in class and showing them how to fend their way is a good start, particularly for young learners. Choosing interesting and captivating websites is also crucial because it will determine how long and how well your learners will be interested in using them.
yes, these websites definitely enhances my professionalism.
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