Page 34 - ELG2402 Feb Issue 488

REVIEWS .

From Teacher to Teacher Leader
By Hayo Reinders
Cambridge, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-00-901491-5
oo often, perhaps, language
teaching professionals are reluctant
to take on additional responsibilities
Tin their own (or other) institutions
since they feel it will involve extra
administration and supervision. However,
although leadership and management
are often related and may appear on a
continuum, the term ‘leader’ in this title
does not refer to what we would normally
consider management. As chapter one
outlines, if you are mentoring, sharing
materials, involved in action research or
simply motivating colleagues, then that
is what the author would describe as
leadership; more specifically, this involves
what he terms ‘leading from behind the
scenes’, perhaps at a lower, but equally
important, place.
Part One of this title looks at personal
leadership; firstly getting to know yourself
as a leader. Curiously – and I was left
wondering at its relevance – it then looks
into supporting student leadership. But
by far the most useful chapter in this part
(and perhaps the whole book) is that on
leadership through research. Here, the
author describes the value and potential
benefits of research, then provides a concise
explanation of the differences between two
main types, action research and exploratory
practice. Related to the latter is an approach
that was new to me: appreciative inquiry.
Other very helpful sections in this chapter
cover sharing research insights gained with
colleagues, plus co-researching.
Part Two concerns community leadership,
and looks at building supportive communities
by making a language teaching department
more inclusive and accommodating by means
of networking, cooperation, collaboration
and partnerships. Throughout each chapter,
sections appear on common concerns, such
as whether or not to invite the manager to
the safe space created where teachers can
voice their real opinions. My own opinion is
they should not.
Each chapter ends with the outline of a
personal project for potential leaders-from-
behind to engage in. Resistance and conflict
are certain to appear when innovation is
on the horizon, and the author provides
valuable pointers for dealing with both, organisation we might be involved with. professionals likely to benefit the most from
such as having what he terms critical, fierce For leadership to run smoothly, it’s vital we are this title will be those wishing to put into
and courageous conversations. It’s always aware of the stakeholders involved; these are practice with others in their institution their
good to see teacher wellbeing highlighted, individuals, groups and organisations affected skills and knowledge acquired on recently
and although techniques for enhancing by project development. Communicating completed DELTA or Master’s courses,
wellbeing are listed on page 98 of the book, with stakeholders and how to gain approval although I would recommend selective
we are reminded that teachers do not burn from those such as the Director of the reading of the chapters.
out; chaotic institutions and systems cause institution’s language centre and IT support
this to happen. are explained in detail.
The final part, on professional leadership, The final two chapters are devoted Wayne Trotman is a teacher
veers away from the notion of leadership to fostering innovation and attaining educator at Izmir Katip
as described above and opens with a rather sustainable education, both of which are Çelebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
theoretical chapter on understanding the largely theoretical. Language teaching
34 February 2024