Mentoring teachers to research their practice
This is the website for MenTRnet – an international network / community of practice of mentors of teacher-research in the field of English language teaching for speakers of other languages.
We are an active international community of over 250 mentors dedicated to supporting English language teachers to research their practice. Whether you’re actively engaged in mentoring teacher-research or simply curious about the process, MenTRnet offers a collaborative space for sharing insights, resources, and good practice. We run regular events, including an annual conference, and an online support group. Anyone involved or just interested in mentoring teachers to research their classrooms can, with no fee, join this community of practice by clicking on the button top right here. Alternatively, to just receve news of our public activities, you can join our Facebook group.
Latest Updates
History of MenTRnet
The Mentoring Teacher-Research network (since February 2024 known as MenTRnet) was originally set up by Richard Smith in August 2019 in association with a Facebook group, to support dissemination of his book Mentoring Teachers to Research Their Classrooms (2000, British Council). The network was further built up by means of a series of input sessions and discussions (EVO2020) in January–February 2020 and, from May 2021 to November 2021.
Handbook
Interest in teacher-research for purposes of professional development has been on the increase for several years, and the needs for effective mentoring in this area are widely recognised. However, there has been a lack of guidance and material support regarding how mentors can help teachers engage in research. This book bridges the gap by offering insights, practical ideas and activities based on direct experience within teacher-research mentoring projects and programmes internationally, in particular in Latin America and South Asia.
What We Do
The group was originally set up by Richard Smith in August 2019 in association with an open Facebook group (which all are also welcome to join), to support dissemination of the book Mentoring Teachers to Research Their Classrooms (2000, British Council). Since then, the network’s activities have expanded, with support from an ESRC/University of Warwick grant in 2020–2022 and a further grant in 2024–2027 (see History). First named ‘MenTRnet’ in February 2024, the network – with a 15-person strong committee – nowadays supports organization of:
(1) a free 5-week series of workshops on mentoring teacher-research within the annual TESOL CALL-IS ‘Electronic Village Online’ (EVO);
(2) monthly support group meetings monthly support group meetings for those involved in mentoring teachers to research their teaching;
(3) annual organization of a Teachers Research! Online conference for teachers to showcase their work, as well as an associated online event for their mentors to reflect on and share research about mentoring experiences.
During 2024–25, MenTRnet is also organizing:
(4) an International Festival of Mentoring Teacher-Research, with a series of webinars by members.
