Learning How to Teach English in Elementary School: The Role of Reflective Teaching in Training Elementary School Teachers

Abstract

Adopting a popular research method—a quality research arisen in the field of social science research, the paper regards four trainee teachers as the research object and reports on how four trainee teachers responded to a short introductory teacher training program (the training program for elementary school English teachers in Yushan county in Jiangxi Province) which mainly focuses on practical teaching skills. With this action research, the research gives an account of how trainee teachers reflect on their learning, how their ideas and beliefs about teaching develop during the program and how the tutors reflect on their teaching. In summary, reflective teaching fosters professional growth and development, critical thinking, self-assessment, and self-directed learning. It promotes the development of new knowledge, leads to broader understanding and creates greater self-awareness. It facilitates selecting from many ideas, helps challenge one’s current conceptions of teaching and learning, and assists in identifying how these affect classroom decision-making. Therefore, reflective teaching, with school’s involvement, is an invaluable tool in facilitating life-long learning and professional growth.