Local Perspectives on Teacher Professional Development: Targeting Policy and Practice

This paper shares the experience of professional development that exists at the Language Centre of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and examines available policy and practice. Using the example of the Language Centre Professional Development and Research Unit, the paper elaborates on importance of providing a framework for identifying required types and aspects of professional development; planning; designing; implementing; monitoring and promoting professional development programmes for language educators in higher education context. It also involves a discussion on how teachers’ interests and motivation are linked to their active engagement in planning, designing and organizing training events as well as to the effective use of the "in-house" professional expertise and bridging it with the best external knowledge, expertise and resources. These specific aspects can provide sustainable continuing professional development in local educational settings and create a noticeable effect towards the attainment of quality teaching practice.