| The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the issues, emphases, and trends in TESOL teacher preparation programs in the Southeastern United States. The researcher also sought to compare and examine the congruency between what is taught in these methods classes and the TESOL Guidelines (Guidelines for the Certification and Preparation of Teachers of English to Sneakers of Other Languages in the United States).;A survey questionnaire was sent to 24 TESOL teacher preparation program supervisors/directors in the Southeastern United States in order to gather information to answer the following questions: (1) What do post-secondary instructors of ESL methods courses consider to be important for prospective ESL teachers to learn? (2) What are instructors in these 24 institutions currently offering in their ESL methods classes? (3) How congruent are TESOL Guidelines with ESL methods courses?;The findings of the research indicated that there were both differences and commonalities among the supervisors/directors of TESOL teacher preparation programs in what they consider to be important in their methods classes: (1) Overall, what supervisors/directors provided in their methods courses is congruent with what the TESOL Guidelines recommend, but some areas are lacking the emphasis the Guidelines suggest, such as knowledge about human growth, social foundations, and computer use. (2) Most of the supervisors/directors believe that their students already come to their programs with a high degree of knowledge and/or exposure to other cultures, but they provide various ways for their students to learn even more about different cultures. (3) Faculty members as a group perceive their major responsibility is to "be a role model for 'good' teaching." (4) The learning of theory is considered very important, but much emphasis is placed upon the application of theory, dispelling the often-heard complaint of pre-service teachers that there is too much emphasis upon theory and not enough upon application. (5) Overall, not much emphasis is put upon the need and use of computers. (6) The practicum is an integral part of TESOL teacher preparation programs, but it varies greatly from institution to institution. |
