Innovation in higher education in China: Are teachers ready to integrate ICT in English language teaching?

Abstract

This paper describes a study of ICT-related teacher development in the context of a national reform of College English teaching in China. The reform, in which emphasis was placed on use of information and communications technology (ICT) in classroom teaching and self-access learning, had challenged teachers of English as a foreign language to adapt to new teaching materials, student-centred classroom teaching and to guide students in their autonomous learning. The study examined teachers' attitudes towards ICT use in education and ICT-related continuing professional development (CPD) policies and practices in a university in southern China. Mixed methods were used: questionnaires to teachers, classroom observation, interviews with teachers, management and administrative staff, and focus groups with both teachers and students. The findings indicated that limited ICT skills and pedagogic expertise were obstacles to the use of ICT in English language teaching. Moreover, although initially the majority of teachers had held positive attitudes towards ICT use in English teaching and the national reform, their enthusiasm was waning in the light of inadequate support and training. Implications for policy and teacher education are discussed and an ICTbased CPD model for language teachers is proposed. © 2011 Association for Information Technology in Teacher Education.