Language Teacher Development

Let’s get serious about it now, together

Abstract

Today’s globalized world and economic circumstances demand Mexicans to become competent users of English, equipped with strong communication skills to maximize their social, educational and employment prospects. After discussing this situation, this talk will first make the case that foreign language learning and language teaching are both demanding endeavors and will discuss what makes these two educational events hard complex undertakings. It will then maintain that to face this challenge, private and state-run language teaching institutions and teachers need to recognize that preparing language learners to become competent users of English requires in-service and preservice teachers to develop high-level and specialized skills. Regarding in-service teachers, the talk will argue that well-designed ongoing teacher professional development is required to develop highly proficient language teachers that can meet the language needs of Mexicans, Finally, concerning aspiring language teachers, this talk will suggest that teacher education programs must emphasize the development of a robust communicative and pedagogical profile.