Self-study is a research methodology for teachers to reflect individually by exploring the
field’s challenges, dilemmas, and contradictions. This is used to solve practical problems, to
generate practitioner knowledge, and to become more reflective. Self-study, mainly used by
teacher educators, stimulates not only individual professional development, but also the
acquirement of the teacher educators’ practical knowledge. The growth and the
transformation of a teacher educator affects their student teachers and school teachers.
Eventually, this will influence their students’ learning. Moreover, self-study provides a
chance to reform the teacher education program as teachers develop a greater understanding
of their own work. This will hopefully lead to discussions of strengths and weaknesses
within the institution where changes can be voiced and improved.
Although self-study is a very new topic for most Korean teacher educators, it has been
recognized as a valuable research method since the 1990‘s in Western countries. For this
reason, this paper introduces the concept, purpose, and methods of self-study in order for
Korean teacher educators to execute self-study in their own professional development.
Especially, self-study has a big advantage for the Korean teacher educators to improve their
teaching competence and for the Korean beginning teacher educators to adjust their role and
position as teacher educators in teacher education institutions.