Writing a statement of teaching philosophy

There is good reason to suppose that teachers’ values make a difference in the classroom and impact on learner experience. Evidence of their importance can be found in national policy documents, and in the growing popularity since 1980 of the statement of teaching philosophy, which has become an ingredient of many teaching portfolios. Indeed, a statement of teaching philosophy is now required by some employers in the IATEFL job fair. As well as providing a more personal dimension to a teacher’s profile, the self-reflection required to write the statement can be an enlightening and motivating experience in itself. Despite the statement’s utility and currency, however, teachers’ values are difficult to articulate, and there is little consensus on the statement of teaching philosophy's generic conventions. Further, whilst it may be tailored towards a particular aspect of professional practice, the statement of teaching philosophy must necessarily reflect a teacher’s approach and experience through the choice of key metaphors and narrative. The workshop environment offers a social space in which to explore these themes. Through the presentation of vox pop extracts, models and discussion, this workshop offers a template for the statement of teaching philosophy and encourages participants to experiment with writing alternative versions of their own statement.