Professional Development Programs for

Teachers of English

Singgih Widodo1

Abstract: Well-planned programs based on the needs for professional

development of teachers are strongly needed to enhance the teaching-
staff improvement.The impact of teacher improvement will effect the
students’ learning and school achievement. This paper aims at raising
awareness of English teachers to upgrade themselves as autonomous
learners as well as researchers and broaden their horizon for stepping
the ladder-career of their profession. For that purpose, a survey as
reported here aimed to identify the needs of individual English
teachers and the preferred programs for professional development.
The findings indicated that the 36 teachers involved needed teacher
training, teacher association, teacher materials, continuing education,
and interschool visit and that teacher training was the most well
known program among teachers.

Keywords: professional development, needs, well-planned programs,

career-plans.

Professional development programs are plans which are carried out to

improve job-related knowledge, skills and attitudes of (in this case)
English teachers by conducting activities to enhance their teaching
improvement. These programs are essential due to reasons, such as these:
they may promote teacher professional development, they may improve
the individual teacher teaching performance, they may also broaden the

Singgih Widodo is a lecturer at Politeknik Ubaya, Surabaya. This article is based on the
paper presented at the 5th CULI’s International Conference, Bangkok, December 2003.
2 JURNAL ILMU PENDIDIKAN, OKTOBER 2004, JILID 11, NOMOR 3

horizon on learning and teaching. The programs may also become ‘tools’
to enhance teachers’ teaching knowledge and skills.
A wide range of professional development programs may broaden
awareness and become tools for learning. The programs also offer a
number of learning opportunities to help English teachers further their
career and professional development. In addition, they may support
teacher initiatives as well as school initiatives. Customized and in-service
programs might be adapted to teachers’ professional development needs.
As a matter of fact, people learn most energetically when they have
options which match their needs, their expectations, their interests/pre-
ferences, and their styles. Moreover, professional development programs
are likely to have greater impact on practice if they are closely linked to
school initiatives to improve practice and these initiatives could promote
the professionalization of teaching to engage more teachers in serious
professional development activities (Corcoran, 1995).
This study was aimed at inspiring, especially, senior high-school
English teachers with fruitful ideas on programs for their own
professional development. The programs offered for professional
development may be varied in terms of familiarity. Some programs are
well-known and some others may be less-known or even unknown.
Furthermore, it is essential to determine the needs of the
individualized teachers so that professional development programs
could be effective. Therefore, in order to make professional
development programs successful, there are at least three things
that need to be considered (Wilde, 1996). They should be well-
planned, meet the needs of the teachers and utilize appropriate
assessment system. For that purpose, a survey is needed to reveal
the needs of individualized English teachers and the known or less-
known programs for teacher professional development.
Examples of programs for professional development might be in the
forms of teacher-training, continuing-education, interschool-visit,
teacher-network, teacher-portfolio and action research. These
known or less-known programs for professional development of
English teachers will be described in the following.
First, teacher-training programs are well-known in the forms of
ELT seminars or workshops. On the other hand, there are teacher-training
programs that may be less-known by schools or teachers such as
 Widodo, Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English, 3

collaborative teacher-training program, teacher-exchange program and

teacher-collaborative project. Second, some schools may also plan and
offer continuing-education/study to their teachers in the forms of further
study or short courses. Third, some highschool teachers could also plan to
visit other high-schools to compare, learn, and reflect on some points that
can be applied in their schools. In order to make use of the interschool-
visit effectively, schools should also make plans in advance such as pre-
planning program (preparation plan), ongoing planning program (i.e., how
to use instruments for observation or interview, etc.) and follow-up
planning program (i.e., how to make use of the gained information or data
for school and teacher development).
Fourth, teacher-network is a professional community of teachers
working together to improve students’ achievement (Richards, et al, 1992:
245). Teacher network could also be in the forms of English Teacher
Association Meetings which may be held monthly or bi-monthly. This is
an English teacher meeting to discuss and do activities relating to their
profession, for examples, lesson plans, evaluation, and other important
issues. English teachers can network with other English teachers by
joining ELT organizations, reading ELT journals, writing/exchanging
electronic pen-pals, and giving online-mentoring for English teachers.
Nowadays, more and more teaching organizations are joining the online
community everyday for teacher development (Teeler, 2000:17) and many
professional journals and newsletters offer selections from the latest issue
over the web. Teachers might use online teaching publications (Teeler,
2000:19). Teacher-network may promote collaborations between teachers
(Corcoran, 1995).
Fifth, teacher- portfolio is selective collection of samples of work
that a teacher has done both in the classroom and elsewhere in order to
display the teacher’s talents, knowledge and skills in teaching. Teachers
could use teacher portfolio as an education tool for their professional
development, which is primarily used in two ways. First, a portfolio is
used as a means of authentic assessment in evaluating the effectiveness of
a teacher for employment decisions. Second, a teacher portfolio is also
used to provide feedback to teachers so that they may improve their
teaching and level of professionalism (Doolittle, 1994). In order to gain
more objective data of teacher portfolio, teachers could use a means of
triangulation by using several instruments, for example, teacher self-
evaluation, student feedback, peer observation, teacher diary and teacher
4 JURNAL ILMU PENDIDIKAN, OKTOBER 2004, JILID 11, NOMOR 3

reflection. Teacher self-evaluation is used as a tool for evaluating a

teacher’s performance after teaching sessions in the classroom.
Sixth, action research could be used as an education tool for
teacher professional development. In teacher education, action research is
teacher-initiated classroom research which seeks to increase the teacher’s
understanding of classroom teaching and learning and to bring about
improvements in classroom practices (Richards, et al, 1997). A sample
online classroom action research (in the form of video show) could be
found in the following website: http://www.teachnet.org/media/index.htm.
In addition, the programs for professional development can vary
from one school to others. The success of these programs does not only
depend on the vision, mission, objectives, and strategic plans of a school,
but also the awareness, goodwill, effort and creativity of a teacher.

METHOD
The main aim of this preliminary study was to investigate
professional development programs offered by schools and taken by
teachers. For this purpose, the writer intended to conduct a survey
concerning professional development programs for English teachers. By
conducting a survey on professional development programs, the writer
wanted to classify those programs into some clusters, for example,
programs needed by teachers and offered by their schools and programs
needed by teachers but not offered by their schools.
There are thirty-six English teachers from twelve senior high-
schools (SMUs) in Surabaya participated in this survey. The respondents
consised of female teachers (67%) and male teachers (33%). Most of
these respondents were S1 graduates (86%) and others were BA graduates
(6%) and S2 graduates (8%). The survey was conducted between July and
August 2002. The survey questionnaires were given to all English
teachers of the twelve senior high-schools in Surabaya via their school-
principals. In addition, the writer also reconfirmed some selected
respondents’ responses to the questionnaires via phone-calls as a means of
triangulation.
In this survey, the writer collected some data about the
professional development programs taken by the respondents (SMU
English teachers) within one academic year ( July 2001 to July 2002 ), the
respondents’ needs for professional development and the professional
programs offered by the schools. These data were collected by using
closed and open ended questions. The writer presented the survey results
 Widodo, Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English, 5

in some sentences with the percentage of each item and provided the
ranks of each program. The survey results were then discussed in relation
to the relevant concepts in order to see the familiarity of the professional
development programs based on the needs of the English teachers and
their schools.

RESULTS
When asked about the professional development programs taken
within one academic year (July 2001 to July 2002), the respondents
replied that the professional development programs taken within one
academic year were Teacher Association Meeting (81%), ELT seminars
(78%), self-evaluation (72%), ELT workshops (69%). As seen in Figure 1
below, the four highest ranks of the professional development programs
taken by the respondents were Teacher Association Meetings (81 %), ELT
seminars (78%), self-evaluation (72%) and ELT workshops (69%). These
programs would seem well-known by the participants of the survey. And
the five lowest ranks of the professional development program taken by
the participants were Teacher-Network through internet, interschool-visit,
students’ feedback, peer-observation and teaching-reflection. These
programs would seem less-known by the respondents of the survey.

Figure 1 Professional Development Programs Taken by Respondents (n=36)

within One Year (July 2001 to June 2002)

(% )
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
ELT seminar ELT workshop Teacher Interschool Self-evaluation Peer Student Teacher diary Teaching Teacher
association visit observation feedback reflection networking
meeting through
internet

% ’Yes’ (ever taken)

% ’No’ (not yet/never taken)
6 JURNAL ILMU PENDIDIKAN, OKTOBER 2004, JILID 11, NOMOR 3

When asked about teachers’ needs for professional development

programs, the respondents replied that their needs for professional
development were teacher-training (67%), teacher-association (25%),
teacher materials/resources (19%), continuing education (6%), and
interschool-visit (6%). When asked about the professional development
programs offered by schools, the respondents replied that the professional
development programs offered by schools were teacher training (28%),
teacher-association (25%), interschool-visit (11%) and continuing
education (0%). As seen in Figure 2, the ranks of the teachers’ needs for
professional development were teacher-training (67%), teacher
association (25%), and teaching-materials/resources (19%), continuing-
education (6%), and interschool-visit (6%).

Figure 2 The Teachers’ Needs for Figure 2 The Teachers’ Needs for
Professional Development Professional Development
Programs (n=36) Programs (n=36)

( %)
( %)
100
100
90
90
80
80
70
70
60
60
50 50

40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
Teacher training Teacher Association Continuing education Teaching Interschool visit Teacher training Teacher Association Continuing education Interschool visit
(workshop/seminar) materials/resources (workshop/seminar)

As seen in Figure 3, the senior high-school english teachers as

participants of the survey reported that their schools offered them to take
programs for professional development. The ranks of the programs
offered by the schools were teacher-training (28%), interschool-visit
(11%) and teacher association (25%). As seen in figure 2 and figure 3,
teacher-training is a well-known program for professional development,
offered by the schools (28%) but needed by most English teachers (67%).
The schools also offered interschool-visit program (11%), but it was
needed by few teachers (6%). Teacher association which was needed by
the teachers (25%) was also offered by the schools (25%). There was no
 Widodo, Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English, 7

school offering continuing-education program such as master or doctoral

programs (further study), but this program was needed by some English
teachers (6%). Teaching materials/ resources needed by some English
teachers (19%) were not offered by the schools.

DISCUSSION
Teacher training program is the first program offered by the
schools (28%) and also needed by the most English teachers (67%). This
means teacher training might be considered as the well-known program
for professional development. Further, the well-known teacher training
programs are usually ELT seminars or workshops. There are also teacher-
training programs that may be less-known by the schools or the teachers
such as collaboration between two or more schools or teachers to conduct
teacher training program or project(s) together for professional
development. Furthermore, these teachers may follow ELT seminars or
workshops when the need them, get the information about them, or have
the opportunity to take part in them. Alternatively, these teachers join the
seminars or workshopd when assigned or offered by their principals. In
other words, there may be some factors influencing the teachers’ decisions
to follow these trainings, such as the teachers’ needs to upgrade
themselves, the information/opportunities given by the school, the
advantages of taking teacher-training for professional development, and
other influencing factors. This in-service teacher training would be
effective if the programs/activities of the teacher training are in line with
the needs of the teacher trainees. Basically, the SMU English teachers
needed ELT skills, such as speaking (74%), writing (73%), listening
(70%), and reading (68%). They also needed several kinds of training
activities, such as workshops (69%), seminars (39%), and microteaching
(37%) (Limantoro, 2004: 120).
The schools offered interschool-visit program (11%), but
approximately half of it was needed by their teachers (6%). This means
there is a mismatch between the school-plan and the individual teachers’
plan due to some factors, such as needs/expectations, perceptions on the
advantages of the program, and other factors. The schools usually choose
the best or good schools to visit in order to learn some components from
them or make a comparative study. In order to make use of the
interschool-visit effectively, schools should also make plans in advance
such as pre-planning program (preparation plan), ongoing planning
program (i.e. how to use instruments for observation or interview, etc.)
8 JURNAL ILMU PENDIDIKAN, OKTOBER 2004, JILID 11, NOMOR 3

and follow-up planning program (i.e. how to make use of the gained
information or data for school and teacher development).
Teacher Association which was needed by the teachers (25%) or
one-fourth of the respondents, was in line with the same program offered
by the schools (25%). This means that all the teachers would follow the
teacher association program offered by the school. Teachers who are
members of the teacher association may have regular meetings to discuss
and work together on certain matters relating to their teaching. These
teacher networks might promote collaborations between teachers as well
as schools. Teacher network is a professional community in which
teachers’ expertise and experience are respected and utilized to improve
their teaching practice together (Corcoran, 1995).
Another finding is that there was no school offering continuing
education program (further study) but this program was needed by some
English teachers of the survey (6%). This means there is already a need of
some teachers to continue their master or doctoral study for their
professional development but their schools have not had such a plan yet.
Some teachers may also take degree training programs by themselves or
some others may take non-degree training programs. Some teachers might
take short courses relating to their profession. The main aim of this
program is to upgrade teachers in order to improve their knowledge and
skills of the subject matter.
Only few English teachers in this survey did teacher-networking
through internet (3%). This means that the majority of them did not do
teacher–networking through internet, but they did teacher association
meetings (81%). Besides networking, teachers could utilize internet for
accessing teaching materials and activities for use in the classroom.
Therefore, the use of information communication technology, such as
internet and computer, may help teachers enhance their professional
development.
Moreover, the schools as well as their teachers may plan the
professional development programs if they ensure the advantages of
professional development programs for them, for example, teachers who
are actively involved in the planning of professional growth would
become autonomous and self-regulated learners as well as researchers by
conducting the programs.They could also step their own ladder-career on
their profession, for example, they are promoted to become key or master
teachers, mentors or supervisors, vice-principals or principals, or other
positions if they meet certain criteria or standards.
 Widodo, Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English, 9

In short, there are at least three factors that may affect the
successful professional development programs for English teachers. First,
as schools may have their own career plans, their plans/programs for
professional development should be in line with the needs of their
teachers. Second, the programs for professional development for teachers
should be long-term and well-planned. This means that the programs are
continuous processes and need a lot of teaching practices and reflection to
enhance teachers’ professional growth. The process of teachers’
professional growth could be seen in the performance indicators as
planned to achieve the school target in three stages: baseline, mid point
and final point. Third, the criteria for assessment and evaluation should be
clearly set up to evaluate the professional development programs.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

Although it could not perfectly describe all the professional
development programs in details, the study provides some fruitful ideas
for both senior high-school English teachers and their school management
to be aware of the benefits of making their best programs for teacher
professional development. The programs for professional development
should be well-planned (usually long-term), needs-based and objectively
evaluated. The programs offered for professional development may vary
in terms of familiarity. Some programs such as ELT workshops/seminars
and teacher association meetings are somewhat well-known and, on the
other hand, some other programs such as teacher-network through
internet, interschool-visit, students feedback, peer-observation, and
teaching-reflection may be less-known. Here, English teachers can
network with other English teachers by joining ELT-organizations,
reading ELT-journals/publications, finding e-pals, collaborative projects/
activities and online-mentoring. English teachers could also use teacher
portfolio as a means of authentic assessment in evaluating the
effectiveness of a teacher for employment decisions or ladder-career
promotion and as feedback for teachers so that they may improve their
teaching and level of professionalism. Another education tool for teacher
professional development is by conducting classroom action research. All
these programs above will help English teachers become active,
autonomous and self-regulated learners as well as researchers and more
aware of the values and benefits of professional programs for themselves.
In addition, the professional development programs for English teachers
could be successful if there is a match between the individual-teacher’s
10 JURNAL ILMU PENDIDIKAN, OKTOBER 2004, JILID 11, NOMOR 3

career plans and the institutional (school) ones to enhance the school
improvement. Besides, each professional development effort should also
be accompanied by a well-designed evaluation plan for determining its
effectiveness.

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Widodo, Professional Development Programs for Teachers of English, 11