The Reflexive Teacher Educator in TESOL - Practical Reflexivity Guide

In this review Julian Edge's The Reflexive Teacher Educator in TESOL is assessed for teacher educators and advanced trainees seeking a rigorous, practice-focused account of reflexivity. Our review finds the book most valuable because it reframes reflexivity as an actionable stance that unites action research and personal development, giving teacher educators concrete ways to bridge theory and practice. Readers looking for a clear framework and reflective narrative will find the book rewarding, while those wanting step-by-step classroom activities may need supplemental materials.

Key Features

• Clear concept of reflexivity: The book distinguishes reflexivity from reflective practice, helping readers understand why reflexivity matters for professional development.
• Praxis-focused approach: By developing the concept of praxis the author resolves the usual theory/practice divide and shows how ideas become useful actions in teacher education.
• Practical framework: The Copying, Applying, Theorising, Reflecting, Acting framework gives present and prospective teacher educators a sequence to develop reflexive practice.
• Narrative, autobiographical style: The author uses personal narrative to illustrate concepts, making abstract ideas more relatable and grounded in lived experience.
• Integration of action research: The book binds action research and personal development so teacher educators and teachers share common ground and purpose.

Who It's For

The Reflexive Teacher Educator in TESOL is aimed at university teacher educators, experienced trainers, and postgraduate students in TESOL who want a conceptual yet practical account of reflexivity that links research and practice. It suits practitioners who prefer reflective narrative and theoretical framing over prescriptive lesson plans.

It is less suited to novice classroom teachers seeking immediately deployable classroom activities or to readers expecting a comprehensive methods handbook; those readers should complement this book with classroom-focused resources and activity collections.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a coherent theoretical foundation by distinguishing reflexivity from reflective practice.
• Offers a practical, repeatable framework (Copying, Applying, Theorising, Reflecting, Acting) that supports ongoing professional development.
• Combines action research orientation with personal development to create shared purpose between educators and teachers.
• Narrative and autobiographical examples make abstract concepts tangible and accessible.

Cons

• Not a step-by-step classroom activity manual, so practitioners seeking immediate lesson resources may need additional materials.
• Readers unfamiliar with reflective practice terminology may require time to adapt to the conceptual style.

Specifications

Title	The Reflexive Teacher Educator in TESOL
Author	Julian Edge
Focus	Reflexivity in teacher education and TESOL
Approach	Praxial integration of action research and personal development
Framework included	Copying, Applying, Theorising, Reflecting, Acting
Style	Narrative, autobiographical

Our Verdict

The Reflexive Teacher Educator in TESOL is a thoughtful, well-argued resource for teacher educators and postgraduate TESOL students who want to deepen their professional practice through reflexivity. Its strength is the practical framework and integration of action research, making it good value for those seeking conceptual clarity and applications across teacher education contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include practical classroom activities?
The book focuses on conceptual framing and praxis rather than step-by-step classroom activities, so users may need additional activity resources for direct classroom use.

Who will benefit most from the framework presented?
Teacher educators, trainers and postgraduate students in TESOL will benefit most, because the framework links personal development with action research and professional practice.

Is the book accessible to readers new to reflective practice?
Yes, but readers unfamiliar with reflective practice terminology should expect a conceptual style and may need time to apply the ideas in concrete settings.