Continuing Training of Language Teachers in the UK

Abstract This paper emphasizes the fact that the current socio-cultural conditions in Ukraine put fundamentally new requirements on professional training of future language teachers. Furthermore, the reforms in Ukrainian higher education, including its focus on the implementation of the principles of the Bologna Declaration, expect that continuing teacher training of future language teachers should result in professionally mobile, proactive and independent future language teachers. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the continuing teacher training of future language teachers in the UK and suggest ways to improve continuing teacher training of language teachers in Ukraine. The paper indicates that the UK is at a turning point today. The country is on its way of leaving the EU, which will significantly change not only its relations with EU countries but also with other countries all over the world. Thereby, the UK needs the skills and capabilities, which will facilitate the understanding of other cultures and languages, to continue to be important for successful international relationships at all levels. The four nations of the UK have approached policy on language education in different ways, which reflect their different linguistic circumstances, and they will continue to do so. The paper states that the model of the UK language teacher includes not only professional qualities but also his or her professional and personal development in the context of professional training and retraining. The paper concludes that the use of the UK’s positive experience in providing continuing teacher training to language teachers and ensuring their professional development discovers some new opportunities for Ukraine. Further research should focus on the peculiarities of the programmes for the professional development of language teachers. It can help to enhance the quality of advanced training of language teachers in Ukraine.