Facilitating professional growth through materials-based assessments

Abstract The burgeoning scholarship about teaching materials has been reflected in a growing number of teacher education courses including instruction in materials development. However, we know little about how student–teachers in teacher education courses develop a knowledge base about materials which they can use in their practice as English language teacher. Addressing the dearth of publications in materials development in teacher education, here we report findings from a study that explored the impact of a professional development qualification for in-service teachers that uses materials evaluation, adaptation, and creation as the core components of assessment. Data from multiple interviews with three teacher participants shows that the articulation of materials evaluation, adaptation, and design in the assessed tasks granted them concrete opportunities to develop in the areas of materials adaptation and design. This allows teachers to meet learners’ needs as well as developing their professional confidence.