Build a Professional Portfolio

Nowadays more and more professions are increasingly recognising the need for staff portfolios and ELT is no exception. Traditionally, education has not been a field where its practitioners were expected to produce more than qualifications and testimonials as evidence of their competence. However, today there is a growing trend towards building and maintaining professional portfolios.

 
REASONS

There are several good reasons for putting together a portfolio:

 
First, it is important to say that qualifications and experience are not 'out the window'. On the contrary, they will form part of your portfolio presentation. However, one of the functions of a portfolio is to demonstrate the degree of one's current competence and expertise. In other words, it underpins the paper qualifications and professional references that one submits with job applications. In a profession that crosses geographical and political borders but where qualifications don't always, employers appreciate being able to see a portfolio which demonstrates what the paper qualifications signify.

 
Second, it is competence-based. While theory and knowledge are an important part of our ability to facilitate and manage learning, they are not everything. However, they are more easily evidenced through examinations and so have been the main benchmark when assessing members of the profession. But, as we know, knowing is not enough. Knowing how to use what we know is essential in ELT and a portfolio can provide evidence of that essential dimension.

 
Third, it permits the inclusion of evidence of competence in other skills which are not perhaps directly related to English language teaching but which may be an asset in a particular setting or professional situation.

 
Fourth, it is always current. Qualifications date and experience, as we all know, can be years of active personal and professional development or, less active repetition of the same thing year in, year out. Your portfolio allows you to demonstrate your progress, commitment and increased competence since the date on your degree, certificate or diploma.

 
Fifth, maintaining a portfolio is an active, ongoing, reflective and self evaluating process which can have positive spin-offs in your teaching and your learners' learning. Also, if consistently maintained, it can become a living resource. It can be your pool of tried and tested exercises, activities, special courses or course components, skills schemes and projects (originated in whole or in part by you).

 
Finally, by the very fact that you have organised and maintained a portfolio, you demonstrate a sense of responsibility and accountability in your work.

 
WHAT TO INCLUDE

You must first decide on the main purpose of compiling your portfolio. If you are comfortably in a job and initially want it as a resource, put everything in except that which you decide  as being of no, or little, future use  However, you will probably evaluate and adapt most of the content according to your and your learners' ongoing needs.

 
If it is principally to enhance your chances of getting a new job, you need to be more selective. Portfolios are judged against criteria and every prospective employer will have his/her own criteria. Therefore, it is imperative to research the post requirements and preferred attributes, in order to best inform your decisions on content. This will allow you to judge what prior/other skills and experience might be appropriate to include. That is not to say that you should not put things in that are unlikely to be required in the new post. If you consider it useful to include samples of other work in order to demonstrate the breadth of your experience, then do so.

  The old staples should certainly go in, i.e., a current resume/curriculum vitae, qualifications and references but, where possible, they should be cross-referenced to samples of your work. If you have recently taken a course, assessed assignments could usefully be included, as could video of your teaching practice. Also, if your course report states your were competent in something, support it with evidence. Do likewise with employers' references. Standing alone they simply represent their opinion (valued though it may be) of your ability. Backed by tangible evidence of your work, they become strong testimonials.

 You could explain to your employer that you have maintained a portfolio of your work and that you would be grateful if s/he could refer to it in their reference. Opinions can still be expressed but the most important aspect is that the employer acknowledges the content as being your work. This way, references are more factual, less subjective and more credible. Either one alone may be suspect. Together, they are a powerful demonstration of your professional worth.

 
Key elements to include are:

 At least one video of your teaching should be included. (They can always choose not to view, but give them the option).

• Samples of any innovative work on your part, e.g. tasks, tests, materials, projects you have designed/administered.
• Details and evidence of any special responsibilities, e.g., maintaining the self-access centre; organising the Kids English Club; running a reading scheme.
• Notes of recognition of specific personal achievements/successes from superiors and/or peers backed by and cross referenced to samples of the work done.
• Feedback from students.
• Evidence of attendance at teaching seminars, conferences and workshops
• a plan for professional self-development

 
HOW TO ORGANISE IT

 Information is only as good as its accessibility, therefore a portfolio needs to be well organised and signposted if it is to be effective. Ensure that you provide a clear and complete index; that samples of work are clearly cross-referenced to course reports, professional references, peer/student feedback; and that work is clearly divided and signposted. Colour coding and physical dividers can be helpful if we are talking about a hardcopy folder but we would suggest making life easier by going electronic.

E. PORTFOLIOS

 Electronic portfolios have numerous advantages:-

1. Content can be easily created and stored digitally.
2. They can include text; graphics, sound and video in manageable formats.
3. They can be easily organized and cross-referenced
4. They can be password protected.
5. They can be easily accessed by current and prospective stakeholders
6. and, if well and attractively constructed with impressive content, they should not fail to impress.