Transformative Teacher Development in English Language Education by Przybysz-Zaremba, Małgorzata; Okoń, Marzena;

Short description:

Responding to the shift toward practice‑based teacher learning, this book examines how English language teachers can develop creativity and turn original ideas into effective classroom innovations. Through contemporary research, it explains the importance of creative-innovative competence.

Long description:

Responding to a global shift towards more meaningful, practice-based teacher learning, this book examines how English language teachers can develop creativity and turn original ideas into effective classroom innovations. Drawing on contemporary research in teacher development and applied linguistics, it explains why creative-innovative competence has become essential in rapidly changing educational contexts.

 This book outlines a structured professional development programme grounded in transformative action research. It demonstrates how teachers can strengthen creative thinking, experiment with new techniques and reflect systematically on their practice. Clear explanations of cognitive, social and psycholinguistic perspectives on creativity are combined with adaptable tools, classroom strategies and reflective prompts that support sustainable professional growth. Analysis of practising English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ experiences provides evidence of how creative attitudes and teaching approaches evolve when supported through purposeful professional development.

Written for teacher educators, in-service EFL teachers, programme designers and postgraduate students in language education, the volume offers both scholarly insight and practical guidance. It shows how educators can build confidence, respond flexibly to classroom challenges and embed creativity within everyday teaching. The result is a timely and accessible resource for anyone seeking to foster innovation and professional agency in English language education.

Table of Contents:

Introduction    

Part 1 – Theoretical Lenses on Creativity and Innovation in Education

1. Research Gaps and Emerging Priorities in TEFL Creativity – key rationale for the book and the intervention  

2. Theoretical Perspectives on Creativity: Cognitive, Social, and Psycholinguistic Approaches

3. Defining Creativity in Language Teaching  

4. Defining Innovation in Language Teaching

5. Creativity vs. Innovation: Distinctions and Intersections in Educational Contexts  

Part 2 – Reframing Teacher Development through Creativity              

6. Teacher Professional Development in TEFL: Models and Critiques             

7. Competencies of English as a Foreign Language Teacher: Key Perspectives    

8. Adult Learning Theories and Andragogy in Creative In-Service Education        

9. Developing CPD and Facilitating Creative-Innovative Development             

Part 3 –  A Transformative Action Research Approach to Creative-Innovative CPD

10. How Creative-Innovative TEFL Development Was Designed, Traced and Evaluated

Part 4 – Evidence of Creative and Innovative Professional Growth in EFL Teachers 

11. Patterns of Creative Attitude and Activity Across the Programme             

12. Teachers’ Creative Processes through Reflective Action Research             

13. Person, Process, Press and Product in Practice: Individual Case Studies

14. Teachers’ Perceived Professional Growth in Four Developmental Domains           

Part 5 – Implications for future TEFL Creative-Innovative CPD Training Sessions

15. Pathways of Creative-Innovative Teacher Development 

16. Principles for Sustaining Creative-Innovative Practice      

17. Concluding remarks and suggestions for future research