Innovation in Language Learning

Using the right tools while integrating technology into teacher training programs is a complex task. It is important to ask which applications are more effective while eductional institutions prepare their teachers for making them more qualified instructors. This study investigated English teachers’ perspectives on the use of video teleconferences in teacher training concept. In a study in the Department of Foreign Languages, Turkish Military Academy, Turkey, a questionnaire developed by Lokmacıoğlu was administered to  English instructors. Before taking the questionnaire participants attended three internet-based video teleconference sessions with Professor Stephen D. Krashen, one of the gurus in English Language Teaching, in different times in one year during their in-service teacher training programs. The overall study findings indicate that instructors are positive towards the use of video teleconferences and they are found effective in terms of professional development, motivation and knowledge of methodology. Most instructors, however, have some doubts of replacing the conventional teacher training programs totally with video teleconference sessions. In the light of the findings, Institutions in charge of improving teachers’ professional development are recommended to take advantage of distance learning technologies as supplementary elements which may provide a sustainable development and a positive change for teachers.