Mobile phones for professional development and English teaching in Bangladesh

Abstract

Using mobile phones for large-scale teacher professional development in developing economies like Bangladesh is rare. We present a case study of English in Action (EIA) and its use of mobile technologies, audiovisual materials and portable rechargeable speakers that moves beyond documenting their functionality as ubiquitous handheld hardware to enhance and extend the reach of teaching and learning. It presents compelling evidence of an effective and innovative professional development intervention that simultaneously improves students' communicative English language acquisition. We argue this large-scale intervention is significant in enhancing teachers' professional knowledge and presents important implications for using mobile phones for international development.