Continuously developing and learning while teaching second language students: four storied narratives of accomplished VET teachers

This article builds on studies that analyze how accomplished teachers in [vocational education and training] VET in Sweden undertake educational challenges and develop their teaching and support of second language learners. Two overarching research questions informed the study: How are educational challenges described by the teachers and what pedagogy and methods are they developing in their teaching practice, in order to face the described challenges? What enabling and constraining conditions for continuing professional learning can be identified? The results from four in-depth...  [+] Show more

This article builds on studies that analyze how accomplished teachers in [vocational education and training] VET in Sweden undertake educational challenges and develop their teaching and support of second language learners. Two overarching research questions informed the study: How are educational challenges described by the teachers and what pedagogy and methods are they developing in their teaching practice, in order to face the described challenges? What enabling and constraining conditions for continuing professional learning can be identified? The results from four in-depth interviews with teachers make up the empirical body and provide a rich picture of how accomplished VET teachers are involved in continuous learning while developing their teaching practice. The final part is a comprehensive analysis, where the results are discussed with concepts from the theory of practice architectures.

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