Perceptions of professional development at Bilkent University faculty academic English program

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Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Eğitim Bilimleri Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2011

Öğrenci: PINAR ESMA ÖNKOL

Danışman: MERAL AKSU

Özet:

Considering the current demands of our global world, there is a need for educating students equipped with diverse and complex qualities. In order to educate well-equipped students and sustain quality education, teachers and teacher educators have to be keeping themselves up-to-date and develop themselves professionally. The primary aim of this study is to explore English instructors’ understanding of professional development through the use of phenomenological research methodology. The data sources were instructors and administrators working at Faculty Academic English Program at Bilkent University. The data collection method was semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The findings of the study indicated that participants see professional development as a means of individual development, as a means of institutional development and as a source of developing community and environment. The study also revealed that the instructors preferred informal modes of professional development activities to formal ones. Participants of the study overall reflected their agreement on the positive contribution of course design on their professional development, autonomy and self-growth.