Use of Graphic Organizers in a Language Teachers’ Professional Development

Starting from 2009 academic year, the instructional coaches in a school district in a northwest American city began to provide Workshop II (pseudonym) to elementary school English teachers. This study aims to discuss the use of graphic organizers in English teachers’ professional development. Different types of graphic organizers such as conceptual development charts, Venn diagrams, or T-charts, were used by the instructional coaches in Workshop II to help English teachers understand the academic language and lesson planning process. Moreover, English teachers were expected to implement these graphic organizers into their classroom practice and help their English learners understand academic language and content knowledge. The provision of graphic organizers helped the participating teachers learn and process the knowledge and concepts taught in Workshop II. Two participating teachers applied T-chart and bubble maps, two graphic organizers introduced in Workshop II, into their classroom practice. Suggestions on effectively use graphic organizers for both classroom practice and professional developments will be provided.