Development of Professional Identity during Teacher's Practice

The article focuses on issues of the development of professional identity of English teachers-to-be in Latvia. This development is an ongoing process which starts during teacher education. The article aims to examine emerging professional identity and how reflective self-evaluation during teacher's practice done with the help of reflective activities facilitates professional development of student teachers. Specific attention is paid to the self-reflection on teacher's practice experiences done with the help of the EPOSTL. It is also concerned with the ways how university can improve student's awareness of their identity. The conducted case study involved questionnaire, content analysis of reflective essays. 66 prospective teachers participated in the research. The data obtained during the research proved the crucial role of teaching practice and reflective activities in the study process of teacher education. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published Elsevier Ltd.