Guidelines for the development of competencies of english language teachers according to the needs of employers to be an effective professional in lao pdr
Abstract:
This research aimed at 1) studying on Competencies of English language teacher according to the needs of employers; 2) creating competency model for undergraduates in Faculty of Education, majoring in English, in Lao PDR to prepare themselves. The methodology of this research is mixed-method. The sample group is composed of 9 school directors and 164 undergraduates in National University of Laos. The researcher collected information from the school directors through a group interview, and used 5- point Likert scale questionnaires to collect information from undergraduates. The data were analyzed by means, standard deviation and comparative analysis to find competency level according to the need of the employer. The findings revealed that the employer required 4 competencies from English teachers, namely 1) Roles of teacher, 2) Core competency of teaching profession, 3) Competency according to roles and duties and 4) Technical competency consisting of 22 indicators and 147 sub-indicators. The overall average score of competency evaluation of English teachers according to the needs of employers was 0.52. The overall average score of core competency of English profession was 4.51. The overall average score of competency of English teachers roles and duties was 4.49. The overall average score of technical competency of English teachers was 4.52. The overall average score of self-assessment of undergraduates majoring in English teaching on the subject of roles and duties was 4.21. The overall average score of competency of undergraduates was 4.22. The overall average score of competency of undergraduates majoring in teaching English was 4.27. The overall average score of technical competency of undergraduates majoring in English teaching was 4.19. Based on comparative analysis on competency level according to the needs of employers, the employer required an English teacher having competencies of teaching profession competency, core competency, competency according to roles and duties at a very high level. Based on self-evaluation of undergraduate majoring in English teaching to be a teacher in the future, the score was at a high level. The undergraduates still have to improve themselves to be ready for work.