IN-SERVICE TRAINING NEEDS OF MALAYSIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH

Abstract

This is an exploratory study into the in-service training needs of secondary school teachers of English in Malaysia. In-service training needs, here, included factors like instructional mode, instructors, roles, location, timing, duration, costs and topics of IST courses. The main aims of the study were to [1] analyse the IST needs of these TESL teachers. [2] find out if variables like age, academic qualifications, option, and teaching experience affect the IST needs of the teachers. [3] ascertain if there is a distinct career profile based on the teachers' varying IST needs. The subjects of the study were 211 secondary school TESL teachers from the state of Negri Sembilan. The preferences and needs of these teachers were obtained through a questionnaire which was the main data gathering instrument. In addition views of several teacher trainers and education officers were obtained through structured interviews. Analysis of the data base failed to indicate a distinct career profile that can form the basis of a more accommodating IST programme. However, the preferences and needs of the subjects of the study were quite definite and these findings should therefore be useful to IST programme planners and coordinators. Based on these findings, several recommendations have been made. These include the design of an alternative model of IST that can promote the autonomous growth of teachers and also satisfy the needs of the education system.