Lifelong learning in teaching: professional development programs for teachers during their career

Professional development of teachers is an ongoing process, starting during the teacher training period and continuing while being a beginning and more experienced teacher. In this symposium, three professional development programs are being presented which take place in these three periods. The first presentation is on a training program for student primary school teachers, aimed at enhancing their academic language stimulating behavior. The second presentation takes us into the induction period, in which beginning teachers are supported by both school-based coaches and teacher educators in the ‘Videoclub’ program. The last presentation is on a teacher research training for experienced teachers aiming at their growth into ‘extended professionals’ who critically evaluate and improve their teaching practice. The symposium provides a perspective on lifelong learning of teachers by presenting these programs, which are different in content and target group, but the same in their aim of improving educational practice by professionalizing teachers.