Mapping English Language Teacher-Researchers’ Collaboration and Networking Practices Throughout Their Professional Paths

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a multiple case study that identifies and describes the collaboration and networking practices of four Mexican English language teaching professionals belonging to two MA cohorts: 2005–2007 and 2007–2009. For two years, curriculum vitae analysis, maps, and in-depth interviews were used to collect data on these professionals’ paths. Three dimensions were examined: teaching, organization, and research, as well as levels of involvement in these professional activities, which construct and shape participants’ collaboration and networking practices. The findings revealed that each teacher-researcher’s agency was directly related to their capitalization of diverse strategies in each dimension and how this, in turn, configured their engagement in the English language teaching community or other communities.

Keywords

• collaboration
• english language teaching
• networking
• teacher-researchers