Teachers' and Administrators' Perceptions of English as a Second Language Teacher Education Program Effectiveness

Download or read book Teachers' and Administrators' Perceptions of English as a Second Language Teacher Education Program Effectiveness written by Eugenia F. Krimmel and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This qualitative study focused on the Pennsylvania English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist program which currently stands as an add-on specialist certification rather than a full certification in the area of ESL education. Teachers' and principals' perceptions of the effectiveness of the Pennsylvania ESL teacher preparation on English Language Learners' (ELL) academic success were reviewed. Teachers gave their opinions and impressions on an ESL program questionnaire and on self-efficacy survey inquiries. Of the 52 participating teachers who responded to the questionnaire and survey about the ESL training they received affecting their own self-efficacy when teaching ELLs, 31 expressed moderate to high satisfaction with the overall preparation. There were 21, however, who expressed low to moderate dissatisfaction with their ESL training. On average, the self-efficacy of these 52 teachers reached satisfaction, but not high satisfaction. Principals used the researcher-created ESL Observation Checklist during routine walk-through teacher evaluations. Each principal then answered interview questions. The eight participating principals concurred that teachers are utilizing basic ESL educational practices in the classroom, yet more time and information is necessary to overcome the academic struggles ELLs have in schools today. A call for full ESL certification was recommended by all eight principals. The findings of this qualitative study confirm that recommendation as a true need in Pennsylvania ESL teacher preparation.