This study identified the preferred professional competences and characteristics of kindergarten non-native English-speaking EFL/ESL teachers (NNESTs) in Taiwan. A total of 394 kindergarten faculty and 67 teacher educators in Taiwan participated in this study. The results indicated that professional competences such as good English oral skills are preferred. EFL teaching and fundamental early childhood education courses are both required to complete a kindergarten NNEST training program. However, teacher educators tend to include more theoretical courses, while kindergarten faculty tends to prefer more practical ones. In addition, kindergarten faculty finds teachers with degrees in EFL teaching or early childhood education less desirable than teachers with teaching experience who value professional development. This paper offers a brief but broad overview of the qualifications of Kindergarten NNESTs in Taiwan, contributes to an understanding of the locally based practices of EFL teaching, and provides suggestions on related areas for further study.
목차
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW Kindergarten EFL Education in Taiwan Related Research on the Quality Criteria of Kindergarten NNESTs METHODOLOGY Participants Instrumentation Data Collection and Data Analysis Procedure RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Professional Competences of Kindergarten NNESTs Professional Characteristics of Kindergarten NNESTs Belief Differences between Kindergarten Faculty and Teacher Educators CONCLUSIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPENDIX THE AUTHOR REFERENCES
The goals of Asia TEFL are to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with the teaching and learning of English in Asia. In order to accomplish this, Asia TEFL will pursue the following goals:
1. To link ELT professionals in joint research on issues and concerns regarding English teaching and learning in the Asian context.
2. To publish an academic journal, The Asia TEFL Journal, as an internationally recognized journal in the field of English language teaching.
3. To host conferences and seminars addressing important issues concerning ELT in Asia.
4. To develop proficiency guidelines and assessment methods designed for the needs of the Asian context.
5. To develop programs for Asian learners and teachers of English to build their English language proficiency and cultural understanding and provide them with the skills required to be efficient English teaching professionals.