What Is CPD And Why Is It Important?

*WARNING: Teacher joke incoming *

What do you call a teacher without CPD?

A static resource in a dynamic curriculum! 😄

Let’s define CPD: it stands for continuing professional development. 

The CPD meaning in education is all about teachers keeping up with the latest in education and continually upskilling themselves. It includes:

• Formal learning: courses, workshops, or seminars.
• Informal learning: learning on the job, collaborating with colleagues, and experimenting with new teaching strategies. 

Importantly, CPD is not just about gaining experience, but about reflecting on what you learn, recording it, and applying it to your practice. It’s a must for staying relevant in the rapidly changing world of EFL education.

Some schools offer regular CPD workshops as part of staff training, and others won’t. But that doesn’t mean you can skip out. You’ll need to do what any good TEFL teacher would do and seek out opportunities yourself. 

Many teachers build their own CPD programme, using a mix of workshops, short courses, and CPD online options.

Read more: 5 Ways To Upgrade Your TEFL Certificate

Let’s be honest: when you’re a new teacher, you’re usually just keeping your head above water. 

And even when you’ve got experience, your “free time” is usually spent planning the next class, grading papers or wading through admin. It’s easy for professional development to move to the bottom of your to-do list. 

However, understanding the importance of CPD will help motivate you to integrate it into your routine. And maybe the fact that it could help you earn a higher salary!

So, what is the purpose of CPD? 

Why do we need CPD?

You completed your TEFL and thought you were done with studies, then CPD came along and reminded you that learning never really stops. It’s an important part of any TEFL teacher’s career.

TEFL does not have a formal points system for tracking CPD credits, unlike licensed teaching, but many TEFL organisations and platforms offer CPD-style courses.  

In licensed teaching systems, educators often track their development using CPD points, CPD units, or CPD credits, depending on the country. The CPD points meaning and CPD certification meaning differ between countries — some use an hours-based model (for example, 1 hour of training equals 1 credit in many European countries), while others use multi-year cycles with minimum point requirements. 

Still, the goal is the same: recognising and rewarding ongoing professional learning.

Read more:  Teacher Development After The TEFL Course

What’s the importance of CPD for TEFL teachers? 

Here’s how continuing your professional development can make a real difference to your teaching:

• Get out of teaching ruts: Keep your lessons fresh and engaging. Remember that moment when you realised you were using the exact same icebreaker for the third time that year? You can end the monotony. CPD helps you stay creative in the classroom and find new ways to motivate your students (and yourself).
• Keep updated on the ever-changing field: Stay ahead of new trends and tools in TEFL, like AI in the classroom, digital resources and new learning platforms. CPD helps you stay in tune with how English teaching is evolving.
• Widen your perspective: Connect with the global TEFL community. CPD gives you a chance to learn from other teachers’ experiences and share ideas that work in real classrooms around the world.
• Strengthen your practice: Bridge the gap between theory and practice. CPD helps you understand the “why” behind language-learning theories to help you make smarter classroom choices and teach more effectively. 
• Track your progress: Reflecting on and documenting your CPD can help you see how far you’ve come, identify areas for improvement, and plan your next steps.
• Boost your career: Grow your confidence and career prospects. The more you invest in professional development, the more opportunities you’ll have. CPD makes you more employable and opens doors to higher-level or specialised roles. 
• Showcase your professional status: Keeping a record of your CPD can provide examples for CVs, interviews, or potential employers, demonstrating your commitment to continual learning and professional growth.

If you find yourself hesitating, even after seeing all the benefits, there may be a few misconceptions holding you back. 

Common CPD myths — busted!

There are a number of myths floating around the TEFL industry, and CPD is not immune to them. Let’s bust the main ones. 

Read more: Common TEFL Myths Busted

Myth #1: Only struggling teachers need it

Wrong. CPD isn’t remedial, and it’s not teacher detention for those who can’t control a classroom or fumble their grammar explanations. 

The most effective teachers are often the ones most committed to CPD. 

They’re not doing it because they’re bad at their jobs, but because they want to stay great at their jobs. Think of it like a muscle that loses its shape when it’s not worked. To keep your teaching sharp and continue improving, stay active with CPD.

Read more: Qualities Of A Good TEFL Teacher

Myth #2: It’s expensive

It depends. Some professional development comes at a cost, like courses and certifications, but most of it is free. All you really need is your curiosity and an internet connection. 

Myth #3: You need hours of free time

You don’t need to block out a huge chunk of time in your calendar. You can read an article while waiting at the doctor’s, listen to a podcast on your commute, or catch a quick video between classes. All those minutes add up faster than you think. 

So why not swap a little mindless scrolling for something that benefits your teaching career?

Consistency is key. 

Soon, it will become a habit, and you (and your students) will be reaping the benefits in the classroom.

Myth #4: It has to be formal or certified

Not everything that develops you professionally comes with a certificate at the end. 

Professional development is about growth, not paperwork.

These myths often discourage teachers from engaging in professional development, even though there are countless continuous professional development examples that are simple, free, and easy to integrate into your routine.

Read more: Becoming A TEFL Trainer: A Journey Of Growth And Insight

Accredited courses and formal CPD qualifications have their place, as they can give teachers confidence in their quality and provide recognition for their professional learning. But informal CPD is just as valuable. 

Swapping lesson ideas with a colleague over coffee or trying a new classroom activity you read about online counts as CPD, too.

Knowing what CPD can look like is Step One. And Step Two is putting it into action.

How can you get involved in CPD?

If you’re at a loss for where to start, ask yourself the following questions:  

• What is my current skill level?
• What goals do I want to achieve?
• What steps do I need to take to reach those goals?
• How and when will I check my progress?

The answers to these questions will help you formulate your own targeted CPD programme.

Getting in some CPD doesn’t have to feel like work. Here are a few ways you can evolve as a teacher without the fuss:

• Engage in self-study. Set aside an hour a week to read TEFL-related blogs.
• Subscribe to TEFL magazines, like IATEFL Voices.
• Join free social networks for ELT professionals, like #ELTchat or on LinkedIn. 
• Attend webinars and/or conferences.
• Sign up for CPD courses online, such as a Top-Up Course from The TEFL Academy or take advantage of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). 
• Listen to TEFL podcasts during your commute.
• Follow TEFL influencers or experts on social media for quick tips and inspiration.
• Reflect on your teaching practice through journalling or blogging.
• Observe other teachers to learn new teaching and classroom management techniques. 

As you can see, CPD can take many forms beyond formal courses. It can take the form of structured learning, such as attending workshops or taking accredited courses, or it can be informal and reflective, such as trying new classroom activities, reading articles or journalling.

The key is documenting and reflecting on what you learn. 

You can try:

• Keeping a log
• Setting goals
• Reviewing progress 

Even small, consistent efforts add up over time, keeping your teaching fresh and professional growth continuous.

Read more: Professional Development Resources

CPD isn’t just certificates and diplomas. It’s about professional growth and staying inspired.  

Busy teachers can breathe a sigh of relief. Thankfully, CPD doesn’t have to be a massive commitment. Even 15-30 minutes a week makes a difference. Seek out opportunities and schedule them like you would a class: make it non-negotiable. 

If you’re unsure where to start, read through our CPD examples listed above and pick one that fits your schedule. Once it becomes routine, you’ll wonder how you ever taught without it.

Author Bio

Written by

Lauren Johnstone

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Lauren is a Web Content Writer & Editor for The TEFL Academy with a background in media, film, and education, and a passion for language and learning. A University of Cape Town graduate, she holds a PGCE, is a licensed teacher, and is TEFL-qualified. She has taught English to learners of all ages and levels, both in South African and South Korean classrooms, as well as online. When she’s not writing, she’s likely deep into academic readings or enjoying a well-earned gym session. Read Lauren Johnstone's story →