The multilayered peer coaching model and the in-service professional development of tertiary EFL teachers

Abstract

The increasing need to learn English worldwide leads to the rapid development in the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Teachers in this profession are required to reach a much higher level of professionalism now, and their in-service professional development can be an effective approach to updating their professional learning and practice. However, many existing programs for in-service professional development could notalways reach their goals as expected. Therefore, this study aimed at developing and evaluating the Multilayered Peer Coaching Model (the MPC Model) for the tertiary EFL teachers to have their in-service professional development. Five phases based on the instructional system design theories were followed for developing this model, and the data for its efficiency were collected from such instruments as tests, observations, teacher's logs, researcher's field notes, and questionnaires which were responded by the EFL teachers and the students at Guiyang University in China. The results from this study showed that the MPC Model had positive impacts on the tertiary EFL teachers' in-service professional development.