Professional development and values

This category of the Cambridge English Teaching Framework covers your understanding and practice in the areas of:

Teacher learning
Classroom observation
Professional development
Critical reflection

Four stages of development

Every skill is described in relation to the four stages of development: Foundation, Developing, Proficient and Expert. Below, we list some of the main competencies for each stage and provide suggestions on how to develop further.

Foundation

Have started to develop a basic understanding of the value of classroom observation and receiving feedback, and the importance of reflecting on your own teaching
Have limited awareness of your own beliefs about teaching and learning, and your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher
May or may not be aware of available professional development options and activities, and require guidance in self-assessing your needs

Ways to develop further

Do

Keep a journal to identify and note learning points from each day of teaching
Do an action research project: identify an aspect of your teaching you wish to improve, try out a new activity in class and evaluate how it works

Study

Try the following professional development books:

Developing

Are aware of the importance of classroom observation and receiving feedback, actively seek observation and feedback on your own teaching and respond positively to feedback
Reflect simply on a lesson even without guidance and have some awareness of your own beliefs about teaching and learning and of your strengths / weaknesses as a teacher
Have some awareness of reflective practice and / or experimental practice
Are aware of available professional development options and activities and are able to self-assess your needs

Ways to develop further

Read

Do

Keep a journal to identify learning points from teaching. Try out different ideas in your class, noting how they work.
Carry out a small-scale action research project in your class, asking a colleague for advice if necessary and see what it tells you about your own teaching

Study

Try the following professional development books:

Proficient

Have a good understanding of key issues and concepts in teacher learning and professional development
Actively seek observation and feedback on your own teaching, respond constructively to feedback and can identify many of your own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher
Reflect critically on a lesson, often leading to action, and have good awareness of your own beliefs about teaching and learning
Are very aware of available professional development options and activities and are able to self-assess your needs and plan how to achieve your goals
Effectively take on different roles and responsibilities within the workplace and may also be involved in supporting the development of other teachers, either formally or informally

Ways to develop further

Do

Keep a journal and / or teaching portfolio and reflect on how your teaching impacts on students' learning
Read about action research and design a small-scale project on an aspect of your teaching you wish to improve. Share the results with colleagues.

Study

Try the following professional development books:

Expert

Have a sophisticated understanding of key issues and concepts in teacher learning and professional development and are highly committed to self-improvement
Consistently reflect critically on your teaching, regularly taking action as a result and actively seek feedback
Are highly aware of your own beliefs about teaching and learning, and recognise areas where there is a mismatch between your beliefs and best practice
Are constantly aware of available professional development options and activities, regularly reassess your own strengths and weaknesses and make detailed plans for how best to achieve your goals
Effectively take on many different roles and responsibilities and are involved in formally supporting the development of other teachers through workshops, observations and / or career guidance

Ways to develop further

Do

Keep a detailed portfolio of lesson plans, materials, reflections, journal entries and so on
Regularly undertake action research projects in your own classes. Adapt your teaching according to results, and share the results with colleagues through a workshop.

Study

Try the following professional development books:

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Competency statements

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Framework components

Cambridge English teaching qualifications

Our industry-leading qualifications support you to develop your teaching skills and confidence, and prove what you can do. They are mapped to the Cambridge English Teaching Framework.

Learn more about teaching qualifications