*Planning your Career as a Language EducatorMary Shepard Wong, Azusa Pacific University

CATESOL 2009 Pasadena, CAApril 17, 2009 Hilton Hotel

*QuestionsAre you a professional language educator? If not, who do you consider to be a professional?

Where will you be teaching in the year 2020 and what will you have accomplished professionally?

What events have caused you to grow most as a language or teacher educator?

*Teacher development definedTeacher development is a term used in the literature to describe a process of continual intellectual, experiential, and attitudinal growth of teachers (Lange, 1990, p. 250). It allows for continued growth both before and throughout a career . . . in which teachers continue to evolve in the use, adaptation, and application of their art and craft (ibid).

*Teacher / professional development allows teachers to:Raise awareness of their strengths and weaknesses in teaching Acquire new knowledgeSolve a particular problem Upgrade skills due to changes in society or the field of ELTAdvance their careerFind fulfillment and prevent burnout

*1. Ways to raise awareness of s & wKeep a journal Learn a new language Record and view your teaching Ask a peer to observe you and discuss itObserve other teachersCompile a portfolioEngage in team teachingAsk someone to mentor youEngage in action researchSurvey students about your teaching

*2. Ways to acquire new knowledgeAttend a conferenceRead professional journals in ELTRead in different but related fieldsBecome active in professional organizations Write a book review Write an article or chapterEnroll in an advanced degree programLaunch a teachers reading groupAsk to teach a different level, course, content

*3. Ways to solve a problemEngage in a case study Interview colleaguesConduct classroom or collaborative researchAnalyze a critical incidentConduct an online surveyJoin an online discussion listFind related online resourcesJoin or start a special interest group (SIG)

*4. Ways to upgrade your skillsAttend a workshop in desired areaFind ways to learn from your colleaguesApply for a grant to learn a specific skillTake an online or distance course

*5. Ways to advance your career Get an advanced degreeEngage in and write up researchWrite a chapter, journal article, or bookCo-write or edit a book Apply for administrative positions Seek out positions as a teacher educator Develop a language course Create a language program Establish a language school Volunteer to serve on committees

*6. Ways to find fulfillmentTake a sabbatical (perhaps without pay) Start a student scholarship fund Organize a local conference Volunteer in a professional organization Engage in international collaborationMentor other teachers Teach less advantaged students Start a professional organizationBe an advocate for students

*Steps to plan your careerDetermine your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher and plan to develop both.Consider where you are in your journey in terms of education, teaching and life experiences, and meaningful professional opportunities you have had so far. Brainstorm and then select & prioritize long term goals supported by short term goals. Design a plan noting the resources needed, obstacles you may encounter, and a feasible timeframe in which you can accomplish it.

* A matrix to help assess awareness of ones teaching Known to self Unknown to selfKnown to others

Unknown to othersJohari window (Joe Luft & Harry Ingram 1969)

OPEN SELFWhat we and others knowBLIND SELFWhat we dont know but others do knowSECRET SELFWhat we know but others dont knowHIDDEN SELFWhat we and others dont know

*Determining your strengths(Write out three of your strengths which may relate to:)Knowledge (Head) General Pedagogical knowledge (Teaching)Specific Subject matter knowledge (Language & Language Learning, TESOL )Self-Awareness (Heart)open, blind, secret, hidden selfAttitude (Heart)autonomy (motivation, choice, responsibility)Skills (Hands)Language proficiencyPedagogical expertise

*Considering your weaknesses(Write three of your weaknesses which may relate to:)Knowledge (Head) General Pedagogical knowledge (Teaching)Specific Subject matter knowledge (Language & Language Learning, TESOL )Self-Awareness (Heart)open, blind, secret, hidden selfAttitude (Heart)autonomy (motivation, choice, responsibility)Skills (Hands)Language proficiencyPedagogical expertise

*Reflecting on our journey so farLook over your CV / Rsum or make a timeline and mark your:Education (degrees)Professional activities or times of growthTeaching experience to dateRelated life experiences

*Envisioning your ideal selfIf you were to imagine the most ambitious long term professional goal, what would that be? You never know what you can do until you try, so dream BIG!Envision an ideal world. What type of person is needed to create and sustain that world? What type of educator is needed to educate such a person? What experiences will enable you to become such an educator?

*Prioritizing our goals Keeping in mind your strengths and weaknesses, your current stage of development, and your aspirations, write:1 long term (10 year) PD goal 2 short term (2-5 year) goals to support it (i.e. directly related to the long term goal) 2 short term goals to augment it (i.e., not necessarily related to the long term goal) the resources, obstacles, and deadlines

*Closing comment

The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.

C. S. Lewis

*30 sec. Before sessions starts, pass out the handout, and encourage them to read the abstract and questions. *2 min. Read the longer questions on the handout with pauses between each *30 sec.*1 min*3 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment. *3 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment. *3 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment. *1 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment. *3 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment. *3 min. 10 sec for each. Read, pause, short comment.

*2min. 30 sec each point.*4min. 30sec each box*3 min. write down a few S on handout. Write down some of the 50 PD activities which may address these. *3 min. write down a few W on handout. Write down some of the 50 PD activities which may address these. *3 min. draw a timeline, or map of their professional journey ***