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Running head: LITERARY REVIEW; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Christopher Lee Harris

Week 2 Literary Review Professional Development
TED 690 Capstone
June 19, 2019
Professor Weintraub
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Running head: LITERARY REVIEW; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article titles “The professional development of the foreign language teachers and the

professional foreign language teaching practice” speaks to the professional development of

teachers and specifically foreign language teachers. It discusses some of the necessary attributes

and mindsets beneficial to a foreign language teacher’s growth. It covers areas regarding

professional development as well as professional quality and how they are different as well as

some of the history of foreign language teacher practice.

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Running head: LITERARY REVIEW; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In this article by You Lv it discusses teacher professional growth in general and its place among

foreign language teachers. The article is divided up into four sections, two of which I would like

to analyze and discuss with you in this literary review. The first section is called “the overview

of a foreign language teacher’s professional development” and the second is “the recognition of

foreign language teaching practice” (Lv, 2014). Both sections go into great detail of the

attributes necessary in professional development and it was interesting to me because the focus

more on the attitude of the teacher and desire rather than only classes and seminars for example.

In the article Lv refers to professional development as “The growth means the change and

development, which includes four elements: the consciousness of the development, the positive and open

attitude, the accumulation of knowledge and the development of the skills.” The idea of professional

growth needs to be an ongoing process in which it is never ending because one’s ability to attain

knowledge is limitless. Lv goes on to describe the importance of the by stating that it is necessary for two

things “reflection” and “development” by teachers to continue to alter the way in which we teach foreign

language.

Lv describes common knowledge necessary for foreign language development which would be that of

any teacher, knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, proficiency in the target language, language

acquisition, popular cultural aspects and political understanding etc. The article goes on to reveal the

importance in professional ethics regarding teachers setting the example in their development. What I

found particularly intriguing was the Lv stated “The concept that "cultivating themselves" should

have priority over "educating others" embodies the teachers' basic attitude towards the

occupation” (Lv,(2014). Here he/she brings up a wonderful point in that teachers must embody
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Running head: LITERARY REVIEW; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

the professional life and demonstrate and attitude that reflects growth as he/she mentions by

“cultivating themselves”.

In conclusion the article goes on to analyze different strategies that are beneficial to providing a

successful classroom environment and what it should look like, but I want to express that the

attitude in which teachers are actively involved in their development in a foreign language

classroom. After reading this article it to me has enlightened the fact that in many cases it is not

always the course work that will provide us with high teacher quality but the effort, desire and

passion to development mentally and professionally plays a critical role in our and our student’s

lives.
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Running head: LITERARY REVIEW; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

References
Lv, Y. (2014). The professional development of the foreign language teachers and the
professional foreign language teaching practice.(Report). Theory and Practice in Language
Studies, 4(7), 1439–1444. https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.4.7.1439-1444