“It was two hours […] the same old thing and nothing came of it”
Continuing professional development among teachers in Gaeltacht post-primary schools
This article describes findings from a qualitative study which focused on the professional experiences of post-primary teachers
working in schools in Gaeltacht areas, regions where Irish is traditionally spoken as a community language. The research aimed to
provide an in-depth analysis of the personal and professional challenges and advantages associated with the role of teacher in
this unique educational setting and aimed also to investigate teachers’ engagement in professional support services available to
them. This paper addresses the latter question by focusing on teachers’ experiences of continuing professional development (CPD).
Findings from this research indicate that teachers’ engagement and participation in CPD is low due to their dissatisfaction with
current provision. According to participants, current CPD services do not address the complex sociolinguistic environment in which
their professional practice is situated or their professional development needs within this context. Suggestions for policy and
practice in CPD directed at Gaeltacht and immersion teachers are also considered.
Article outline
- 1.Continuing professional development among teachers in Irish-medium Gaeltacht post-primary schools
- 2.Defining the Gaeltacht and Gaeltacht education: From geographical to linguistic criteria
- 3.Continuing professional development (CPD) in the Republic of Ireland
- 4.Teacher professional development
- 5.Methodology
- 5.1Design
- 5.2Participant selection
- 5.3Interviews
- 5.4Data analysis
- 6.Findings
- 6.1Post-primary Gaeltacht teachers’ participation in professional development
- 6.2Medium of CPD delivery
- 6.3Models of CPD delivery
- 6.4Barriers to participation
- 6.4.1Time and family commitments
- 6.4.2Location
- 7.Discussion
- 7.1Participation dependent on curriculum changes
- 7.2Professional learning communities as models for CPD
- 7.3The role of the professional experience of teachers in CPD design and delivery
- 8.Conclusion
- Notes
-
References
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