Teachers' Professional Development for Indo-Iranian ELT Classes: Abstract Strategies, Challenges, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Teachers' professional development (PD) is pivotal in enhancing English language teaching (ELT) outcomes, particularly in culturally diverse contexts such as Indo-Iranian classrooms. Despite the historical and linguistic connections between India and Iran, limited research explores effective PD strategies tailored for educators in this unique intercultural setting. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with ۲۰ English language teachers from select universities and language institutes in India and Iran. Participants were purposefully sampled to ensure a range of teaching experiences, backgrounds, and exposure to cross-cultural pedagogy. Data were analyzed thematically, focusing on perceptions of PD programs, challenges encountered in classroom practices, and the integration of culturally responsive teaching strategies. Findings revealed that teachers perceive PD as most effective when it includes context-specific content, peer collaboration, and intercultural competence development. Key challenges identified include limited access to specialized training resources, varying institutional support, and difficulties in aligning curricula with local cultural sensitivities. Participants emphasized the necessity of incorporating culturally responsive pedagogy that acknowledges students' linguistic and socio-cultural backgrounds, fostering engagement and motivation in ELT classrooms. The study underscores the importance of sustained, contextually relevant PD programs that address both pedagogical skills and intercultural awareness. Recommendations include collaborative workshops, mentorship programs, and curriculum design that bridges Indo-Iranian cultural and linguistic knowledge, thereby enhancing teaching effectiveness and learner outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Teacher Professional Development ، English Language Teaching ، Indo-Iranian Education ، Culturally Responsive Pedagogy ، Qualitative Research ، Cross-Cultural ELT