Opportunities for practice and development: newly qualified teachers and the use of information and communications technologies in teaching foreign languages in English secondary school contexts

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of newly qualified teachers of foreign languages in English secondary school contexts as they both seek opportunities and develop their abilities to use information and communications technologies (ICT) as a tool to support foreign language learning. A cohort of newly qualified foreign language teachers from the University of Manchester was first surveyed to establish a picture of teacher experience and confidence in the use of ICT after their initial training year. Based on self‐declared interest in ICT as a development area, indicated in career entry profiles, six case‐study teachers were subsequently identified and their experiences in specific school environments were explored. Cross‐case analysis determined not only the impact of specific factors on opportunities for ICT use and personal development, but also an ecological dimension to the school contexts resulting in an interplay between factors with varying effects on newly qualified teachers.

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by a Research and Development Award from the Teacher Training Agency, England.