Continuous professional development is essential for teachers working in a fast-changing technological world in which educational goals are constantly re-imagined and revised. Professional development is a continuous process that spans the entire career of an ESL teacher. Professional development includes developing discipline specific knowledge and pedagogical skills, technological updates and upskilling of professional competencies. ESL teachers engage a diverse student population and classroom practices are likely to fossilise if upskilling industry itself is not constantly revamped. Hence the philosophical principles that should enable the design of a relevant professional development programme are outlined. Effective professional development programmes should be need- based promoting introspective and reflective practices through professional networking and technology aided innovations. Kennedy's models of Continuous Professional Development need to be revised through a new paradigm, namely, Acquisition - Application - Feedback spiral. Professional development is envisioned as a cyclical process of continuous inputs implemented through community support, discussion and revision. Teacher motivation and self-enquiry are two important components of the continuous professional development programme. Voluntary subscription and community networking of teachers can be ensured by creating curriculum and community niches for continuous professional development. Repeated input- implementation - review cycles can enable spiralling of the Continuous Professional Development process that would enable a teacher to develop in multiple fronts and through different stages or levels.

ESL classroom, inclusive growth, Teacher community networking, teacher upskilling industry,Continuous professional development, Acquisition- Application- Feedback model, professional community