The competencies of an English teacher: Beginning student teachers’ perceptions
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a survey conducted with first year Education students at a Queensland university on the levels of competency in literacies expected for teachers in schools. Eight aspects were chosen to be examined to discover the skill levels students thought to be essential for effective teaching and to compare these with their estimation of their own skill level; spelling and grammar competency rated the highest, ICT/computing and visual aspects the lowest for teachers. Students rated their own spelling competency at the highest level and knowledge of genre the lowest. They were asked how they intended to develop their competency skill whilst undergoing teacher training; the written comments were analysed phenomenographically exposing students’ conceptions of skill development as occurring through discrete and concrete experiences and processes of study, learning, and practise. There is no acknowledgement of the influence of the contextual knowledge in which competencies are founded.
Reference
Penn-Edwards, S. (2010). The competencies of an English teacher: Beginning student teachers’ perceptions. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 35(2).
http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2010v35n2.4
Journal
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
- Phenomenological
- Positivist/Post Positivist (quantitative)
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
- Primary (UK term)
- Secondary
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Post bachs (university based program)
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
309
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- open ended questions
- Survey
Data Analysis Tools
- Phenomenological analysis
Researcher Positionality
- Outside (not directly invested in the program or operations)
Research Questions
How did beginning preservice education students perceive the need for school teacher competence in a range of literacies?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
How did preservice education students perceive their own comparative level of skill in the same areas?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
How would they seek to develop such skills during their teacher training?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes