In many contexts English Language Teachers have been perceived historically as the ‘Cinderella’ of the teaching profession. In some cases they have been required to ‘top up’ their qualifications, as a result of education authorities making calls to ‘professionalise the sector’. This talk will explore the causes of such perceptions, what it means to be a professional teacher of English, and the fitness of purpose of international initial training qualifications for educating professional practitioners.

Filmed during the Cambridge University Press ELT 'Better Learning' conference, August 2016.