IDENTIFYING THE TEACHING SKILLS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS AS THEY PARTICIPATE IN A TEACHER EDUCATION COURSE

Abstract

This research study identified the teaching skills of three primary school English teachers while enrolled in a teacher education course. Two questions guided the study. The first one refers to what teaching skills primary school teachers exhibit while enrolled in a teacher education course; and the second refers to what are the primary school English teachers’ concerns when engaged in a teacher education course. The collected data sources were field notes of class observations of each participant, interviews, participants’ reflective journals, and feedback sessions. In conclusion, five teaching skills were identified: classroom management, planning, managing feedback, learning technologies and knowledge of subject matter. Regarding the second question, results indicated that teachers are more concerned about their language proficiency in class, planning, efficient use of time, and materials. In addition, this research study revealed an important connection of teachers’ teaching skills with their concerns when learning how to become English teachers. Finally, some suggestions are presented for future teacher education courses as part of teachers’ professional development and for further research studies.