The Role of Professional Standards for Foreign Language Teachers According to International Standards
Keywords:
Professional standards, foreign language teachers, international frameworks, teacher competence, language pedagogy, CEFR, ACTFL, TESOL, teacher identity, intercultural competence, teacher developmentAbstract
The globalization of education has led to increased demand for high-quality foreign language instruction. Professional standards play a crucial role in ensuring teacher quality, consistency of pedagogy, and comparability of learning outcomes across national boundaries. This article investigates the significance and implications of international professional standards—such as ACTFL, CEFR, TESOL, and UNESCO frameworks—for foreign language teachers. Through document analysis and literature review, the study explores how these standards define teacher competence, shape instructional practices, promote continuous professional development, and influence teacher identity. The paper also considers implementation challenges, including contextual mismatches, training limitations, and cultural resistance. Findings underscore that while global standards elevate teaching quality and facilitate international mobility, they must be flexibly adapted to local educational and cultural contexts to be truly effective.
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