CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Abstract

The professional development activities designed solely by respecting the instructors and the trainers are mostly presented to fail to reflect the operations at schools of foreign languages. Hence, continuing professional development programs need to include the directors of the schools, and their preferences about the practices. To this end, the current study is of significance in terms of highlighting the opinions of the directors about CPD process in Turkey. The study was conducted at two state and two foundation universities through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling method was utilized while determining the participants of this research. Having filled in the questionnaires which include some statements about their educational background, personal preferences of CPD, and the operationalization of professional development process, four directors gave answers to some of these questions in an interview to explain critical points thoroughly. According to interpretations of the data gathered from the directors, it was concluded that the directors at state universities could not have equal chance to adopt and serve opportunities for the instructors compared with the foundation universities. Nevertheless, the directors whose educational background has been grounded to ELT were noted to be more successful in implementation of CPD events.