The Impact of CPD on Teacher Perception, Motivation, and Confidence : A Case Study of Two Korean English Teachers

This qualitative case study explores the impact of an intensive three-week in-service teacher training (INSET) program on the perception change of two English language teachers. Drawing on a substantial data of semi-structured interviews and teachers’actual classroom observation, the study suggests that the INSET course had a considerable impact on the teachers’ perception. The five main areas of impact on the personal and psychological aspects in the data extended to: (i) better understanding of their class in English; (ii) development of how to adapt new knowledge through reconstructing new skills; (iii) development of linguistic competency; (iv) professional self-identity; and (v) further career development. On the basis of the findings of this study, some important recommendations for language teacher training are made to maximize the impact of INSET: teachers’ own continuous and conscious professional development can be carried out under the teacher’s own initiative since the impact of an INSET course on teachers’ perception change is not determined solely by the course itself.