Professional Qualifications and Capabilities of English Language Teachers: Teachers' Professional Development and Teacher Education in Twenty-first Century Post-method Era Abstract Success of language learning programs to a significantly high extent relies and depends on teachers' high professional competence. Teachers are arguably the most crucial and strategic constituents of education systems and as major factors in efficiency and effectiveness of education systems, need to systematically and effectively develop capabilities, qualifications, skills, competencies and faculties which enable them to perform the necessary tasks in teaching and learning process, and to function properly in their roles as teachers. Recent evolvements in the field of ELT, emergence of post-method pedagogy and methodology, arrival of newer phenomena and concepts in ELT and relevant fields, as well as and advent and popularity of methodological eclecticism, in today's interconnected, competitive and multimodal world with fast-changing literacy needs and demands, require teacher education and training systems which can respond to the needs of education systems, enhance professional development, foster capabilities and reinforce competencies and qualifications. In planning teacher education programs, recruitment of teachers and professional evaluation and assessment, a comprehensive and analytical model presenting essential and relevant competencies, capabilities and skills is important and valuable. This paper explores and discusses the existing literature, proposes suggestions, considers the professionally competent and qualified teachers' qualities and characteristics and sets forth the criteria for professional growth and excellence.
