Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 IJISRT21JAN050 www.ijisrt.com 281 American Corner Webinar and Its Impact on Indonesian English Teachers to Their Professional Development Nur Alifah Annisa Jumrah Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Hamzah A. Machmoed Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Abidin Pammu Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Abstract:- This study aimed to examine the webinar features, characteristics of professional development activities on the webinar, and the perceptions of English teachers and lecturers towards the webinar and their professional development. The data were collected by observing five webinar sessions of the American Corner of Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta. The data collection of this research also used questionnaires administered to 15 experienced and novice English teachers and lecturers from state and private schools and universities in Indonesia as the webinar participants. In addition, nine of the participants were interviewed to gain more insight into their perceptions. The data were then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that the webinar sessions were supported by online presentation, live chat, Q&A session, and sharing session as its features. Professional development activities on the webinar facilitated English teachers and lecturers in content focus, coaching and expert support, collective participation, and sustained duration. The perceptions of English teachers and lecturers towards the webinar and their professional development showed positive perceptions based on several indicators. Furthermore, the results revealed that the participants had varied responses towards the most influential part of the webinar to their teaching skills. Topics of webinars related to their current and expected teaching practice, preference on professional development activities on the webinar to their teaching practice, and suggestions for webinar improvement. Keywords:- English Teacher, Perception, Professional Development, Webinar, American Corner. I. INTRODUCTION A continuous development of knowledge, skills, and behavior is required for teachers in their lifetime of teaching. In teaching English, particularly, teachers should not only have the language ability, but also the subject-matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and decision-making ability[1]. Professional development can be used as a key motivator for teachers to develop their professional skills and knowledge in teaching. According to Smith and Gillespie[2], professional development allows teachers to renew themselves. Teachers can benefit from different professional development activities. Since the advent of technology, it allows teachers to get mostly free and instant access for the purpose of their professional development in online formats. Many teachers have used a webinar as the alternative way for their professional development which can be a presentation, discussion, demonstration, or other instructional sessions. A webinar, a short form of a web-based seminar, is a seminar, lecture or workshop which is held over the internet and presented a live virtual event or web using video- conferencing software. Pluth[3] stated that webinar is an online seminar that enables people to access a virtual classroom and share information through the internet from around the world. A webinar allows presenters and participants to meet virtually since it overcomes barriers related to travel time and expense required for in-person professional development[4]. It provides the interactive means of professional development that break the limit in terms of cost, time and place for continuous learning opportunities [5]. Several institutions and organizations have developed webinar for different levels and purposes. One of them is the webinar organized by the American Corner of Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta. Considering the webinar differences on its features, it is crucial to be examined as one of the object analyses of this study. Furthermore, regarding to its purpose for professional development, it should be known widely to examine types of professional development activities on the webinar.