How English teachers can transform learning through collaboration

In the modern dynamic educational environment, the role of English as a subject becomes extremely important, not only in developing the language skills, but also developing critical thinking and communication skills of the learners. Yet no teacher is an island. Teacher collaboration can be regarded as one of the most effective mechanisms to improve the quality of teaching and guarantee student achievement. And I am a teacher, and I am a trainer of English teachers, and I have noticed how the willingness to share knowledge, resources, experiences can really make classrooms special. This blog post will discuss why collaboration is so important among English teachers, how we can realistically be involved in professional communities and why this collaboration results in improved learning outcomes.

The power of collaboration in English teaching

Collaboration helps teachers to reflect, share new ideas and to help one another through difficult times. Hargreaves and Fullan (2012) argue that collaborative professionalism assists educators to develop collective efficacy the conviction that they can achieve a lot when they act together on learners. It is particularly essential in the case of English teachers who have to continuously cope with emerging technologies, shifting curricula as well as varying student requirements.

Such Communities of Practice (CoPs) as the Gisagara Community of Practice of English Teachers are the brilliant examples of how collaboration impoverishes professional development. Within such groups, teachers have an opportunity to co-plan lessons, share classroom management ideas, and ways to incorporate digital technology in language education. Being a seasoned teacher or a prospective one, you can find inspiration and information by joining or creating a CoP.

Practical ways English teachers can collaborate

1. Join professional associations and networks

Professional organizations such as TESOL International Association or local English teachers associations provide resources, webinars and forums where teachers can observe and learn with teachers around the world.

2. Participate in online communities

LinkedIn groups, Facebook communities of educators or educational Twitter chats (ELTchat) are the platforms which can unite you with teachers working in different contexts and sharing your enthusiasm about teaching English.

3. Organize or attend workshops and webinars

Joint training sessions will enable teachers to exchange good practice. As an illustration, Association of Teachers of English in Rwanda (ATER) has offered English teacher training series that benefited more than 250 teachers throughout the country who have joined from 15 CoPs to acquire the idea of utilizing educational technology in English classrooms effectively.

4. Peer observation and feedback

Observing one another deliver lessons and providing positive criticism can enable the teachers to rethink and improve on their practice. It could be through a face to face method or through sharing of recorded lessons.

Finally, collaboration does not only mean a professional responsibility, but rather it is the force that helps English teachers to develop, to be creative, and to influence their students in positive ways. Regardless of whether you are an experienced teacher or a preservice teacher who is planning to step your foot in the teaching profession, you can find your teaching more efficient and satisfactory when you become proactive in taking part in teacher collaboration. And now, as we approach the issues of contemporary schooling, we should keep in mind that teamwork is one of the solutions to open the door to success in the classroom and in life.

When you are ready to make a change, why not reach out to other teachers now. Post this, become a member of a group or begin a discussion. United we can change this!