Teachers Training - Past And Present

Teachers training in the form that it exists today is divided into two stages, pre-service and in-service training. Pre-service education includes all the formal education and training that occurs in undergraduate and post graduate school, before the teacher gets a job. In service education is the education and training that a teacher receives while on the job particularly at the beginning of his career. Historically, pre-service teacher education was carried out in so-called normal schools which were dedicated teacher colleges. A large number of countries had, or in some cases still have, dedicated teachers training colleges. However, today in the United States, pre-service teacher training is carried out entirely in Universities through undergraduate and graduate courses in education. (And some of these courses can now be taken online).

In most countries, teachers training at university level is divided into three main areas. The first area could be considered as purely academic. The purpose of this part is to enhance the teacher’s knowledge of one particular subject giving him the ability to teach the subject with expertise in a later teaching career. This might typically be a science subject or a cultural or other academic subject. The second component of traditional teachers training is the study of educational principles. This is some times called pedagogy. Pedagogy explores the methods of teaching and this section of student’s training usually also involves such areas as psychology, philosophy, history and sociology.

Finally, a third element of a teacher’s training will usually be some kind of practical experience, either simulated in the class or perhaps provided through a period of secondment as a student teacher. Teachers at primary school level will typically receive some years of instruction about courses that are outside their primary specialization. Primary school teachers usually have a first degree, while basic lecturers at university level will always have a master degree and will be typically pursuing a Ph.D. Secondary school educators will always have a first degree and many will additionally be pursuing a masters’ degree. In some teaching areas, there are additional annual certification or licensing requirements.

In service training occurs throughout the career of a teacher but is particularly important during the first two or three years of a new teacher’s career. In service training is usually controlled by school administrators or senior teaching staff. One of the major components of in service training that received prominence lately is mentoring. Mentoring involves a more experienced teacher working with a new teacher during their first year or two of service. The purpose of this is for a new teacher to develop their practical skill as a teacher while gaining valuable feedback on how they are progressing from a more experienced colleague.

Such mentoring also helps a new teacher with various aspects of teaching that are not completely covered by a formal degree course. Some of these include things like classroom management, classroom discipline problems, dealing with other colleagues, school administration or parents. Surveys have shown that if the initial part of a teachers in-service training focuses on mentoring, this can greatly increase the retention of new teachers in the profession.

Teachers Training