Facilitating follow-up in ELT INSET

Abstract

There is evidence that ELT INSET does not always result in the desired level of ‘follow-up’, i.e. impact on teachers’ classroom practices. Nevertheless, little research appears to have been carried out concerning how the design of INSET systems affects such outcomes. This paper therefore attempts to throw light on some of the factors involved, using data derived from research into the operation of the Philippines English Language Teaching (PELT) Project INSET system. In order to attempt to facilitate follow-up, this programme took the form of a hybrid, joint course- and school-based model. Trainees’ views on the functioning of the model were elicited via questionnaires and structured discussions. The findings show that the following variables are among those which are important in determining how effectively such an INSET system operates: 1) the nature of its course- based component; 2) the interface between trainees, trainers and school- based ‘ELT managers’; and 3) the form of school-based follow-up activity employed. The data also indicates how these elements might be configured so as to optimize the potential for INSET follow-up to occur.