Objective: Despite the documented benefits of Critical Friends Groups (CFGs) in various educational contexts, their application within the Iranian EFL system, characterized by top-down policies and limited teacher autonomy, remains underexplored. This study explores Iranian English teachers’ perceptions of CFGs as a collaborative professional development model. Methods: Situated within a larger research project on CFG implementation, this paper specifically reports the findings from semi-structured interviews with 10 junior high school EFL teachers who participated in CFG sessions. Results: Thematic analysis of interview data reveals that teachers generally viewed CFGs as a valuable space for professional dialogue, mutual support, and reflective practice. Participants highlighted the benefits of structured peer feedback, increased collegiality, and the opportunity to discuss classroom challenges in a non-evaluative environment. However, some expressed concerns about time constraints, varying levels of engagement, and the need for clearer facilitation. Conclusion: These insights contribute to the growing body of research on collaborative teacher development in EFL settings and offer practical implications for designing effective professional learning communities in centralized educational systems.
