A Case Study On Senior High School EFL Teachers' Professional Development In The Context Of Learning Community

With the booming of economy and the rapid development of society in China,teachers' professional development has attracted unprecedented weight,as the nation's 13 th Five-Year Plan promotes educational modernization and insists on the priority of education development.National Education Reform and Development of Long-term Planning Program(2010-2020)proposed further strengthening the construction of teaching faculty,improving teachers' quality,improving teachers' professional standards and teaching competence.And the study of teachers' professional development has been a heated research topic following this trend.In X middle school in Dazhou,a group of six senior EFL teachers from different grades decided to group a team to participate in lesson competitions.The author of the thesis is one of them.Engaged in the team and with a close relationship with other team members,he decided to study on the team.This thesis takes the team as an example of learning community.By observing the activities in the team,the thesis narrates the activities and stories in the team.The team gets together twice a month to discuss about New Standard of English Curriculum and its requirements.After understanding the requirements of each senior grade,they will learn methods to put the requirements into teaching practice.They discuss the methods to give lessons.And when a lesson is given,all members attend the lesson to figure out whether the methods are effective.With a harmonious atmosphere,members are willing to work with each other in the context of learning community.They are willing to learn new knowledge and skills with a clear goal.A test for young teachers is held every year,and the result of which is also presented in the thesis.Through T-test,the thesis figures that there is difference in their English knowledge.But,there does exist difference after working in the learning community.A conclusion can be made that learning community is effective for the professional development of senior EFL teachers.But there is still a long way to go faced with the pressure of NMET.And the construction of a learning community does not only require the involvement of teachers,but it needs the support of administrators.