Cecilia Nobre
Thesis Title: Enhancing Reflective Practices in Teacher Education: the role of WhatsApp in CELTA and CertTESOL Programmes.
This research explores the integration of WhatsApp into the reflective practices of pre-service English language teachers within CELTA and CertTESOL programs. As mobile-assisted language learning tools gain prominence, WhatsApp offers unique affordances for enhancing the traditional peer observation components of teacher training by facilitating synchronous and collaborative peer reflections. This study is driven by the premise that immediate, dynamic, and interactive reflection through WhatsApp can significantly enrich reflective practice by extending discussions beyond the physical classroom settings. The project draws upon sociocultural theory, emphasising the social and interactive nature of learning, and proposes that WhatsApp, as a widely accessible and versatile platform, can effectively support these interactions. The research aims to examine how the application influences the development of collaborative reflective practices and to evaluate its impact on the engagement, communication quality, and feedback within peer observations. This study will use a qualitative methodology, employing semi-structured interviews, document analysis of WhatsApp interactions, and observation, to gather rich, in-depth data. The anticipated outcomes include enhanced reflective engagement, improved feedback mechanisms, and the development of a supportive community of practice among trainees. By shifting from isolated reflection methods to more communal and dialogic approaches, the research expects to provide insights into how digital tools like WhatsApp can be leveraged to advance professional development in pre-service teacher education. The findings aim to contribute to the pedagogical approaches in language teacher education, fostering more nuanced and effective training environments.
Biography
Cecilia Nobre is an ESRC-funded PhD student in Applied Linguistics at Warwick University, where she also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), supervising dissertations in the MA TESOL. She is an experienced CELTA trainer, applying her practical teaching insights into her academic research, which focuses on the integration of mobile-assisted language learning tools into teacher training programmes. Cecilia co-authored the book "Using Video to Support Teacher Reflection and Development in ELT," published by Equinox. She holds two Master’s degrees: one in English Language Teaching (ELT) with distinction and another in Social Science Research with merit, both from Warwick University. Cecilia's academic and professional work is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and reflective practices of pre-service and in-service English language teachers, aiming to improve educational outcomes through the use of technology and collaborative learning approaches.
Publications
Baecher, Laura Hope, Steve Mann, and Cecilia Nobre. Using Video to Support Teacher Reflection and Development in ELT. Equinox Publishing Limited, 2023.
Applied Linguistics
Warwick
2022 Cohort, 1+3
Cecilia.Griffiths@warwick.ac.uk
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Supervisory Team
Steve Mann
Annamaria Pinter
Memberships
IATEFL