Key factors for teaching and learning - Teachers’ experiences and reflections on literacy teaching

A group of students in Sweden were followed in a longitudinal study throughout their compulsory school years. The data collected formed the starting point for a focus-group discussion, the results of which are reported and discussed in this article. The aim is to investigate the factors that the teachers consider especially important for the students’ learning processes, and to reflect on what characterises teaching practices that promote participation and learning. The results show that the most important factor in a successful teacher’s work is the ability to meet the students according to their individual needs; this also involves using the student group as a learning resource, and to adopt a critical attitude to one’s own teaching with the aim of developing it. Attitude, high expectations and a positive belief in the students are key factors here, as well as the ability to stage well-balanced teaching with a focus on content, language, and language use. The importance of collegial learning for the teacher’s professional development is emphasised, as is the value of enjoying one’s work and to share both successful and less successful pedagogical episodes. One surprising result is the teachers’ conscious efforts to help the students adopt strategies for learning.