A Study On The Professional Development Of College English Teachers Under The New Teaching Model

Education should be teacher-oriented. Good education can not be achieved without good teachers. Ever since 1960s, many countries in the world have been carrying out theoretical researches and practical explorations aimed at promoting teachers'professionalism, hoping to improve the quality of education by enhancing teachers'overall quality. To foster teachers'professional development is not only the trend of teacher education development abroad, but also the orientation of teacher education reform at home.In China, there is a large group of College English teachers, whose growth and development is closely bound up with that of the country and society. With the issue of College English Curriculum Requirements and with College English teaching reform deepening, colleges and universities are constructing the new teaching model, ie the computer- and classroom-based College English teaching model. The new model is"built on modern information technology, particularly network technology, so that English language teaching and learning will be, to a certain extent, free from the constraint of time or place and geared towards students'individualized and autonomous learning". This change calls for innovation in teaching methods and approaches, but more importantly, it calls for transformation in teaching philosophy. The introduction of the new model constitutes unprecedented opportunities and challenges for College English teachers. Under this background, the study on College English teachers'professional development has become our first priority.The thesis consists of five chapters:Chapter one is literature review. The research findings on the professional development of teachers and foreign language teachers are sorted out, which provides the theoretical framework and research base for College English teachers'professional development under the new teaching model.Chapter two is connotation explanation. A number of concepts are defined in order to clarify the connotation of College English teachers'professional development, including profession, professionalization, teachers'professionalization, teachers'professional development and College English teachers'professional development; The three different value orientations of College English teachers'professional development are elaborated in order to form a multi-dimensional perspective about the issue of College English teachers'professional development, including knowledge orientation, practice-and-reflection orientation and ecological orientation.Chapter three is background analysis. The actual circumstances are analyzed, demonstrating that the professional development of College English teachers is the need of curriculum reform and teachers'self-development. The implementation of the new model requires teachers to reposition their roles and seek professional development.Chapter four is an empirical study. The College English teachers of a general comprehensive university in the North are chosen as the subjects. The university has been actively involved in school-based practice in the computer- and classroom-based College English teaching model and made remarkable achievements, hence is typical and representative. By means of questionnaires, classroom observations and interviews, a survey is conducted on the current situation of College English teachers'professional development. Through quantitative analysis, the correlation between teachers'professional development and teaching practice is explored; Through qualitative analysis, teachers'imperative problems and urgent needs are revealed: Teachers have difficulties applying their educational philosophy to practice; Teachers generally lack reflective ability and theoretical knowledge; Teaching experience and teaching effect are disproportionate; Examination-oriented tendency is still prevalent in teaching; Teachers have a common demand for theory training.Chapter five is research implications. Considering our national conditions and referring to overseas experience, by summarizing the findings of this study, some effective approaches are proposed to promote College English teachers'professional development: Independent development is the fundamental approach to teachers'professional development; Cooperative development is the inevitable appeal of teachers'professional development; In-service training is the important means to promote teachers'professional development.During the long history of foreign language teaching, teachers are playing a leading role. The quality of teachers is the key to the improvement of the teaching quality, and to the development of the College English program. Meanwhile, College English teaching reform provides a brilliant opportunity for teachers'professional development. Whether they can seize it or not is the key to their professional development. Students are developing. The teaching material, teaching requirements and teaching model are developing. College English teachers should constantly enrich, improve and develop themselves so as to meet the requirements of the times. This study corresponds to the important mission entrusted to teachers by our country and the times. Definitely, it will bring new ideas to College English teaching reform, provide guidance for teachers'growth and development, and give reference for educational administrative departments to train teachers.