The Powers and Possibilities of an International Teacher Professional Development Program

• In Event: Protocols and Pedagogy: Curricular Interventions in Practice

Abstract

Researchers assessed a study abroad program for Kingdom of Saudi Arabian (KSA) teachers in the US. This program provides pedagogical coursework, English language development, and school immersion practica. The program’s purpose is to raise KSA teachers’ pedagogical skills, and transfer of US educational practices back to KSA. Accordingly, researchers collected data through pre- and post-surveys to measure changes in teacher efficacy, program outcomes, cross-national understandings of education, and English proficiency. Researchers also interviewed participants to assess teachers’ sense-making of the KSA government’s recent educational reforms. Findings indicate that the program had a positive impact on teacher efficacy, English proficiency, and cross-national understandings of education, and most understood KSA educational reforms as opportunities to reconfigure teacher-student relationships back in the KSA.

Authors

• Byoung-gyu Gong, Arizona State University

• Clarin Collins, Arizona State University

• Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University