Nabila Dahmoune, an experienced teacher educator in Algeria, has dedicated over 20 years to supporting teachers and trainees. Despite her demanding schedule, she continues to prioritise her own development by participating in four British Council WhatsApp communities of practice each week. Her secret? Finding small but meaningful moments to engage—often during bus rides or quiet evenings at home.
Through these communities, Nabila accesses an evolving library of ideas, tips, and strategies. Whether it’s teaching with technology or adapting lessons for low-resource environments, she finds content that fits her context. One area that’s seen particular growth is her use of flipped learning. Limited internet access in schools didn’t stop her—instead, she encouraged learners to access content at home and use class time for reflection and discussion. This shift has made her lessons more interactive and learner-centred.
Writing has also been a focus. In her region, learners often find writing in English difficult, and motivation can be low. With help from the community, she found ways to simplify tasks, choose more engaging topics, and create supportive steps that build learners’ confidence. The results have been clear: learners are now more willing to write, and more interested in the process.
For Nabila, CPD is about staying connected to a global community of practice while adapting ideas to local realities. The WhatsApp groups allow her to access webinars, live discussions, and peer feedback in a flexible way. She shares what she learns not only with colleagues, but with the next generation of teachers she mentors. And when she hears about a new TeachingEnglish course or resource, she’s quick to pass it on. In her words, CPD isn’t something to ‘fit in’—it’s something to live with, every day.
‘The WhatsApp group is very convenient, sometimes I even attend live sessions when I’m the on the bus back from school.’ Nabila Dahmoune