Teacher development through webinars

If one thinks about professions in which constant development is truly significant, teaching is definitely one of those fields that require continuous growth. New or refreshing ideas for classes not to fall into a teaching routine are indeed essential: how do we access them, then, and how can we get inspired to come up with our own activities?

One way might be reading ELT magazines: this is a superb way to keep updated on what’s going on in the teaching world. We may also attend workshops and conferences aimed at EFL teachers, which are held by experts and provide teachers with lots of practical ideas. To participate in them, however, one has to take time to get to a venue and come back home, and not all of the teachers live in bigger cities, where such workshops are usually organised. In such situations, webinars( live online educational presentations) come to help.

Here is the list of selected websites on which you can register for ELT webinars:

1. Oxford webinars organised on a variety of issues for all kinds of teachers (from preschool to university)  https://elt.oup.com/events?cc=pl&selLanguage=pl&mode=hub
2. Two websites from Cambridge English Language Assessment   http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/webinars/
   http://www.cambridgeenglishteacher.org/new-event-list
3. Macmillan webinars, usually held once a month on Wednesdays
   http://www.macmillanenglish.com/webinars/
4. Monthly IATEFL webinars
   http://www.iatefl.org/membership-information/iatefl-webinars
5. Trainings for Polish teachers from Pearson Longman:
   http://www.pearson.pl/angielski/konferencje-szkolenia/filmy-szkoleniowe.html
6. Webinars from British Council
   http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/webinars

Advantages of webinars:

1. You can access them from anywhere in the world, you just need a computer and the Internet connection.
2. They are free.
3. You are usually awarded a certificate of participation.
4. You can chat online with other participants.
5. It’s possible to ask questions and add comments.
6. There is a great number of topics to choose from.
7. First and foremost: they are an amazing way to enhance the quality of your teaching!

I hope I encouraged you to take part in one of the upcoming webinars: as a teacher remember to keep learning, good luck!

Joanna Naporowska