Students teaching teachers - can it work? a teacher training project in rural China

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibility of students taking on a training role in their service learning subject in order to serve teachers. The approach of students teaching teachers has many challenges, including whether teachers would value this type of professional development. In this paper-presentation, we will give an example of a service learning subject which provides language workshops for in-service English teachers in rural China. Feedback from service recipients and students will be reported and discussed which will be of interest to service learning subject leaders, teachers and researchers interested in knowing more about this approach. This paper serves as an exploratory study into the value of placing university students in training roles for in-service teachers.