The European Language Teacher : Recent Trends and Future Developments in Teacher Education

This book presents the European language teacher of tomorrow. It deals with recent trends and future developments in the training of second language teachers in Europe. Based on an EU-commissioned study of thirty-two countries, the book sets out the current provision of language teacher training across the age phases. Both pre-service and in-service teacher training is covered. Fifteen case studies of innovation and good practice are also presented. This detail is used to provide a needs analysis of training, on the basis of which a series of policy-orientated recommendations is developed. Finally, a professional profile of the European language teacher is constructed which lists the likely range of training and experience of tomorrow’s teachers. These features are described in terms of organisation, content and structure. The book is framed by coverage of the contextual background to the study, both in terms of national priorities and EU policies, and a theoretical consideration of the issues in language teacher training.