When it comes to professional development, how do we prioritize what to work on?
Arguably, our core, as ELT professionals, is English and its teaching/learning methods, approaches, techniques, principles, and beliefs. This is what differentiates us from math or science teachers, for example. They study their own subject matter and its related methodology.
Then, adjacent and encompassing our core are ideas regarding general education. For instance, 21st-century skills, neurodivergent learner instruction, inclusion, identity issues, the maker movement, etc. These are common and relevant to all educators.
On the outer rim, peripherals. Apps, websites, digital and analog tools. For example, learning to use a new app, how to make effective slides, or how to use Kahoot. These are not necessarily directly connected to being an educator, but in a way to being a professional in contemporaneity.
How then should we prioritize our time, since we can’t possibly embrace all learning opportunities at any given time?
I suggest three different approaches for prioritization here:
Do what you like
Do what you like, and you’ll do it well. Nothing beats the excitement of studying and learning about a topic we love. Life is short, do what you like and do it often.
Do what you need
Do what you need. Are you able to identify your weaknesses in teaching? If you are, choose professional development initiatives that will help you deal with these weak spots.
60%-30%-10%
Spend most of your time and resources on the core category. Our core is specific to our field and should be prioritized. Then, 30% of the available time and resources on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and awareness adjacent to our core. Remember, this is the general area we share with other educators and they are (hopefully) carrying their own weight here. Finally, spare some time and resources to be up to date with the newest tools and websites. They might help you save some precious time.
ELT in Brazil 
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