What is the English language written proficiency level of graduating teachers as measured by their IELTS writing scores?
What can the scores tell us about baseline levels of a pre-service teacher education programme that prepares teachers to use English as the medium of instruction?
Teachers are facilitators of student learning and co-creators of productive classroom environments in which students can develop the skills they will need to function in the global workplace. To gain a more accurate language profile of student teachers, student teachers from the 1-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) pre-service teacher preparation programme were invited to participate in the study.
The IELTS exam consists of 4 components: listening, speaking, reading and writing and the students in this study scored lowest on the writing section. Measures are recommended to further develop this important skill. This study emphasizes the need to improve communication skills of pre-service teachers to be effective in their professional environment and to serve as good role models in schools.