Exploring English Language Teachers' Beliefs about Future Readiness: Developing Pedagogical Practices for the 21st Century
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| Title: | Exploring English Language Teachers' Beliefs about Future Readiness: Developing Pedagogical Practices for the 21st Century |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Julia Schlam Salman (ORCID |
| Source: | Language Teaching Research. 2026 30(5):2301-2320. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Secondary School Teachers, English (Second Language), Language Teachers, Beliefs, Foreign Countries, Educational Practices, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Technology Uses in Education, Computer Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes |
| Geographic Terms: | Israel |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13621688231179515 |
| ISSN: | 1362-1688 1477-0954 |
| Abstract: | Cognitions, and specifically beliefs, play a critical role in the practices teachers are willing to implement. Beliefs become particularly impactful when teachers are called upon to adapt, adjust and innovate, as is characteristic of language teaching in the 21st century and teaching during a health crisis such as a pandemic. Anchored in the field of language teacher cognition, this article presents a qualitatively driven mixed methods study of English language teachers' beliefs about language teaching and learning in the 21st century. We explored the beliefs of 74 secondary-level English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in an attempt to better understand beliefs that were shared among study participants. These teachers had all elected to take part in a new English language program in Israel that seeks to promote 21st century practices. Three categories of beliefs were identified. These include: (1) employing multiple and varied teaching methods; (2) demonstrating adaptability alongside digital literacy; and (3) collaborating and employing interdisciplinary practices. We have defined these categories as 'precursor beliefs to willingness'. We present their manifestation in the collected data and discuss suggestions for how they can be cultivated at the initial teacher education level and through ongoing professional development. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1508301 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Cognitions, and specifically beliefs, play a critical role in the practices teachers are willing to implement. Beliefs become particularly impactful when teachers are called upon to adapt, adjust and innovate, as is characteristic of language teaching in the 21st century and teaching during a health crisis such as a pandemic. Anchored in the field of language teacher cognition, this article presents a qualitatively driven mixed methods study of English language teachers' beliefs about language teaching and learning in the 21st century. We explored the beliefs of 74 secondary-level English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in an attempt to better understand beliefs that were shared among study participants. These teachers had all elected to take part in a new English language program in Israel that seeks to promote 21st century practices. Three categories of beliefs were identified. These include: (1) employing multiple and varied teaching methods; (2) demonstrating adaptability alongside digital literacy; and (3) collaborating and employing interdisciplinary practices. We have defined these categories as 'precursor beliefs to willingness'. We present their manifestation in the collected data and discuss suggestions for how they can be cultivated at the initial teacher education level and through ongoing professional development. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-1688 1477-0954 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13621688231179515 |
