Reflective Teaching Methods at Schools for English Teachers’ Professional Development (International Turkish Private Schools)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to find out the most applicable reflective teaching methods for English language teachers in Georgia and Muslim countries.  The study tends to identify the general English language teaching tendencies and stresses the teaching discrepancies for Muslim countries. These peculiarities are analyzed to provide a clear-cut picture of reflective teaching practices, possible changes and desirable improvements, which would be different for Georgia and Muslim countries (Egypt, Turkey and Yemen). The data obtained from one survey showed that school administration supports teacher development, including via reflective teaching. Another survey, conducted in Egypt, Turkey and Yemen regarding the cultural and gender issues in designing reflective teaching practices, showed that the majority of teachers prefer to be involved in collaborative group work, rather than being observed by a peer due to Muslim cultural traditions concerning gender relations. Both genders avoid peer work, because there is a possibility to stay alone with the opposite gender for the discussions and this might cause some inconveniences. The interview conducted in Georgia showed that teachers do not like cooperative reflective activities. As Georgian teachers of English better liked journal writing and peer observation, the experiment conducted in Georgia dealt with them. It revealed the fact that the mixed model of reflective teaching (peer observation accompanied by journal writing) is more productive for Georgia more than just peer observation.