Becoming a Better Teacher: Exploring Professional Development

I really enjoyed forming part of this course and all the tips that we were given, which are very useful. I learnt using the TICs more accurately and sharing with other colleagues.
I believe that in a teacher’s life any day is the same as the next. Groups may be the same, having the same students, the same schedule, and the same classroom; however, every day is different.
During this semester I chose a second level basic group to observe in order to put in practise my learning. Most of them are in high school. Some of them, were probably sent by their parents, without interest of learning the English language. Of course, with the lack of studying habits. However, I feel satisfied because I was able to motivate them by rewarding their work giving them seals on their homework or class work. (Excellent, Very Good or Well done).
After some weeks I started to notice that their attitude was changing. At first, due to their classmates’ mocks because they weren’t getting any seals. They started helping each other to fulfil the tasks and sharing on their chat what they could do to do their work, which they recognised wasn’t difficult.
I observed that the following days the first thing they did was compare and share what they have done and whenever I gave an ‘Excellent’ seal on their work, they felt proud of themselves and laughed. Really having fun and enjoying their effort. I believe that those students who have fun learn more and faster.
I was satisfied, because I was able to reflect my commitment and positive attitude towards them, even working on line. Being a role model to what I would like them to do without demanding it. I have never been aware of this feeling until now while taking the course.
I’ve learnt that all of us, as if we were still children, need to be recognised or receive that lap on our back of approval.
In addition, I believe that through writing journals it is a kind of ‘stream-of-consciousness’ as Jerry g. Gebhard says. I believe that whatever we observe or comes into our minds at the moment of teaching is a form of exploration and awareness about ourselves as teachers and our teaching. In addition, as I learnt in the course, planning is only part of exploration. We, as teachers, can observe and write about what happens when we are writing down our lesson plans.
Also, as I learnt in the course, reviewing our journals is very useful to analyze teaching and reflect on our teaching using better teaching techniques and materials. I believe that being an English teacher gives me the opportunity to teach, not only the language, but to develop a fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions in my students.
I love being an English teacher. Teaching a second language has been a truly rewarding experience, reflecting on it has enabled me to build deep and meaningful relationships, not only with my students, but with people. It has also opened up a whole world of opportunities when it comes to travel and share it with my students. I have been very lucky to have had the chance to visit foreign countries where English is spoken. Without a doubt, I believe bilingualism and multilingualism prove the possibility to bridge both the linguistic and cultural gap between countries as well as being a great asset to the cognitive process.
LEI Judith Quintana Vessi

Its a great experience being a part of this course.Yes,of course I'm enjoying the course.Thankk you #BRITISHCOUNCIL for arranging such a comprehensive online CPD course for##Becoming a Better Teacher during this crucial time of Pandemic crises .It was substantial learning in 02 Weeks and worthy reflection on our pprofessional development.This new knowledge will improvise teaching to inculcate higher order thinking skills in the students.It is an awesome and beneficial course for effective learning.
My humble suggestion with great excuse is to acknowledge the efforts of teachers ,they must be awarded e_Certificates without any payment if convenient for you.As we know that knowledge is worth than certificates but some teachers are definitely in need of certificates.
I'm very happy to satisfy my thrust of knowledge.Have really learnt a lot to gloss our professional development,that will help us to progress one step ahead in our profession.Amazing learning opportunity from the lead educators across the globe. Having contructive discussions,reviews,responses and views of the participants ,the most intellectual community around the earth.
Thanks, Team British Council and participants for providing such a wonderful online platform for #Becoming a Better Teacher.Exploring Professional Development

Thank you for a very enjoyable couple of weeks. This is one of the best MOOCs I've done recently in terms of the balance between current theory and practical ideas that can be acted on immediately. I've learnt some very thought provoking and insightful concepts about reflection, the teaching-learning process and what makes an effective learner that have inspired me to re-evaluate my own beliefs about my role in the class room and give my learners a greater sense of agency. The mini quizzes to check your understanding at intervals and the video at the end of week 2 recapping main points and directing us to useful comments made by fellow participants were very useful. The only thing I might possibly add by way of a suggestion, is to include more examples of how a new concept could be applied or carried out in a classroom teaching context to provide those of us who are new to the idea with an immediate understanding of how to apply it. If this course was a book, I would describe it as one that you wouldn't want to put down! Thank you !

This is my first time taking an online course, so the experience was totally unique to me and I must say it far exceeded my expectations. The course was really wonderful. It integrated a wide range of learning activities like videos, discussions and articles to enhance learning towards a better teacher. It also utilized quizzes and polls enabling teachers from all over the world to take the concepts learned in the course viz. CPD, Reflective Practices, Observation and Communities of practices and apply them to real class situations. Overall, the course was refreshing, interactive, encouraging and interesting. I highly recommend this course and intend on taking more online courses in future. My heartiest thanks to Deepali and the whole team of educators, mentors and organisers and best wishes for future endeavours.