THE ROLE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE IN TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstrak

In recent decades, the concept of reflective practice has gained a prominent position in teacher education and professional development. Reflection enables teachers to evaluate their pedagogical decisions, classroom interactions, and personal beliefs about teaching and learning. As Schön (1983) notes, reflective practice involves “thinking about one’s own actions while performing them,” which allows educators to make conscious adjustments to improve their teaching. This process helps teachers become autonomous, self-aware professionals capable of adapting to the changing demands of modern education. The present paper explores the role of reflective practice in teacher professional growth, focusing on its theoretical background, implementation methods, and practical implications for English language teaching