THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTORS

Due to the emphasis on English education in Korean society, most universities have required English courses for students. Many of these courses are run by native speakers from around the world with diverse backgrounds. Some of these universities require professional development or publishing in order to earn a promotion or to keep one’s job secure. Other universities appear to have no emphasis on professional development, while others may discourage it entirely. However, while the opportunities for growth and development exist, it appears that only some instructors take part in professional development. In this study, I attempt to understand the who and the why of professional development among these English professors. I look at the current perceived importance of PD, the professional training that many participate in, and the diverse motivations for participation.