On English Teachers' Self-directed Development In Rural High Schools

With the further development of English language teaching(ELT) reform and research, people are beginning to see clearly that teacher quality is a key to ELT elevation. A teacher, as an organizer, a controller, a performer or a participant in language teaching practice is facing greater challenges, In recent years, English teacher training, education and development have been among the most important subjects in ELT theories. However, researches in the combination of these theories with the teaching practice in China have been confined to colleges and universities. Few researches have been carried out at basic-education level. So far almost no researches on English teachers' self-directed development have been done in rural areas.But as a matter of fact, China is an agricultural country where nearly three-fourths of secondary students and teachers are learning and teaching. Any research centered around the rural English teachers' self-directed development will be of great significance.With this in mind, the author employs methods of questionnaire, interview, analysis and discussion to make a profound study of the implications of teachers' self-directed development. The analysis of the current situation of rural ELT indicates that the poor quality of the teachers is the main obstacle of ELT in rural areas. The thesis concludes that teachers' self-directed development can be defined as the most sustainable and ideal developing mode for rural English teachers.The thesis falls into three chapters . The first chapter is a detailed exploration of teachers' self- development. It aims at helping the readers to get a clear view of its implications. The second chapter is a survey and analysis of rural English teachers and their ELT. With the illumination of the characteristics of English teaching in rural areas, the thesis points out some problems existing among rural English teachers and in theirteaching. The third chapter puts forward some suggestions on the English teacher quality elevation and effective ways to carry out English teachers' self-development in rural high schools . It attempts to improve rural English teachers, to engage them in various teachers' training activities and to challenge and stimulate them to take a lifelong habit as well as a professional obligation to further develop themselves.In a word, the thesis maintains that teachers' self-directed development is the key to improve rural ELT in china. It's a demanding but rewarding job that can enhance the development of the English teaching as well as the teachers' personal development.