Learning to teach: Needs analysis for a KFL teacher training program - Australian survey

Abstract

This study describes the results of a survey study (August -October, 2001) that was designed to investigate the needs of practising and potential teachers of Korean as a foreign language (KFL) in relation to the recent debate on teacher training and education program in the Australian educational community. The aims of the survey are: 1) to find out the background information about the practising and potential KFL teachers with regard to various items relevant to their professional careers; 2) to ascertain the necessity of a teacher training and education program in KFL and the preferences with regard to its type, delivery mode and physical organization; and 3) to identify the areas of study that are perceived as important and the learning styles that the KFL teachers might like to utilize in their learning. The study presents findings on a number of issues such as necessity of a training program; preferred type of program; perceived importance of updating; reason for the interest; preferred delivery mode; preferred class time; preferred class grouping; perceived important study areas; and preferred learning styles. Some key issues relating to the results are discussed, making some suggestions for possible actions to be taken.