Evidencing the passion of language teachers' research engagement: The case of a University Pedagogy ALMS course module

Abstract

This paper presents a case example of a University Pedagogy course module carried out in ALMS (Autonomous Learning Modules) format. The participants of the course were mainly in-service language teachers of the University of Helsinki Language Centre, and the author of this report is a module instructor and counsellor. The motivation for the ALMS course module was twofold: (1) to enhance research engagement of language teachers in their professional development and (2) to offer support but freedom (autonomy) in terms of personal goals, the form of the individual project as well as the schedule of the process. This paper presents the course in brief and discusses some of the key elements in fostering critical thinking and research engagement in professional development in the context of Language Centres. The data analyzed consist of pre-course assignments delivered by the participants, their work plans, final reflective learning reports as well as the counsellor's diary.