the english teaching industry is evolving

Back in pre-Covid days, there was a lot of talk about how the ELT industry was changing - and it was all going digital even back then:

Three trends in foreign-language teaching that are here to stay:
1. ESL students are getting younger and younger.

2. Technology will continue to disrupt and innovate English language teaching strategies.

3. English language learners are moving online.

The global English language job market is changing: what this means for ESL teachers | by Brett Montrose | AcceleratEd | Medium

These trends accelerated hugely since then:

The New Frontier of Teaching English: Interactive, Global, Virtual and Innovative! - BridgeUniverse - TEFL Blog, News, Tips & Resources

During lockdown a couple of years ago, ELT consultant Beatrice Segura Harvey "embarked on a research project that focused on teacher development, particularly teacher competencies, with an aim at answering a difficult question: What constitutes an effective teacher, post-pandemic?":

1. The English language is changing.

This linguistic and behavioural change brings sociocultural implications. ‘Global English’, as we know it, is becoming more blurred and so starts a new chapter with more people meeting online and the geographical barriers becoming even less finite.

2. Modes of teaching are expanding.

Online learning, in its many forms, has been steadily growing over the years, but since the global crisis, it has been catapulted into the lap of almost every student around the world. Students have more options than ever before and more is expected of our teachers as a consequence.

In response to these new demands, there has been a noticeable shift in the attitudes from teachers, who are more ‘flexible’, ‘adaptable’ and ‘willing’ to try new things. But are we asking too much of our teachers?

3. Digital competency needs integrating.

Digital competency is now completely intertwined within the role and identity of the teacher, and this needs to be reflected in the framework.

4. Mental health awareness is growing.

One of the emerging topics from my research was mental health, particularly with a focus on online fatigue, and issues resulting from learners and colleagues not being in the same physical space. These included feelings of anxiety, loneliness and alienation.

5. Teacher education is changing fast.

Does the top-down teacher education model need to change? This approach has its uses and needs to exist in certain areas, but now the current cohort of teachers has had considerably more hours of online teaching than their trainers. Could this be an opportunity to look at new models for teacher education? Something that is co-constructed, peer-to-peer and bottom-up?

The changing world of English teaching | E L Gazette

But it is much more than just 'digital'.

Here's an excellent overview from writer and teacher, Chia Suan Chong writing from the British Council's annual ELTon awards last November:

The often-asked question in the English language teaching industry is 'where are we going'? With the increase in online and blended lessons, the rise of language learning apps, and the fine-tuning of digital translation programmes, there is no doubt that English language learning and teaching is changing rapidly. So what does the future hold for English language educators?

To sum up!

We are no longer simply in the business of helping students understand the different uses of the Present Perfect.
We are in the business of preparing students to communicate internationally and connect with others in English.
We are in the business of helping students build relationships with people from different cultures.
And we are in the business of helping students to develop the necessary skills to prepare for conversations they will have out there in the real world.

Ten statements about the Future of ELT - the hidden messages from this year’s ELTons finalists | British Council

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