For English language teacher Nida, engaging in continuous professional development is an essential part of being an educator.
"It offers a chance to refine teaching practices, stay updated with the latest trends in language education, and meet the diverse needs of students effectively," she says. It also "provides better learning experiences for students and prepares them to succeed in an interconnected world."
Encouraged by her English department at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Nida has been attending professional development courses with the British Council since 2018. These include training on subjects like communication and collaboration, and citizenship, as well as Language for Resilience, which supports people affected by conflict to access vital services and information through language learning.
Her experiences have introduced Nida to new ways of teaching English and helped her to improve the core skills of her students. "Since participating in these courses, my teaching practices have evolved, and I have become more confident in implementing innovative teaching strategies," she says.
In the future, Nida plans to remain committed to her professional development. She hopes to explore more specialised courses related to language assessment and technology integration in the classroom, among other topics. "I will also seek opportunities to attend workshops, conferences, and engage in networking with other educators to continue my growth as a dedicated English teacher."