Dr. Ferhat Karanfil

Dr. Ferhat Karanfil has accumulated over fifteen years of experience teaching English to diverse age groups. He has presented at both national and international ELT conferences and currently teaches at a private university in Istanbul. Dr. Karanfil's research has been published in numerous Scopus-indexed journals, and he serves as a speaking examiner and interlocutor for various international language tests. Additionally, he has worked in educational consulting, served as an Erasmus+ coordinator, and contributed as an editor and reviewer. He holds certifications, including the CELTA, alongside a Master's and Doctorate in ELT. Dr. Karanfil's research interests lie in affective factors in language learning, reflecting his commitment to exploring many aspects of language acquisition.

Storytelling of Professional Development: An Autoethnographic Perspective

Sometimes professional development begins with a story. This hands-on workshop explores how storytelling can support teacher reflection, collaboration, professional identity, and continuous learning. Participants will explore how personal and professional stories can help teachers make sense of their classroom experiences, share challenges, and learn from one another. Through incidents of PD, they will reflect on significant moments in their teaching journeys and consider how these experiences have shaped their beliefs and practices. Furthermore, they will discover opportunities ahead. Rather than simply listening to stories of professional development, participants will become storytellers themselves. Activities such as “A Teacher Who Changed Me,” “My Classroom Turning Point,” and “A Lesson I Will Never Forget” will transform everyday experiences into opportunities for professional dialogue and reflection. By the end of the workshop, participants will have practical development techniques they can use in teacher meetings, mentoring, peer observation, professional learning communities, and classroom contexts.