1 Introduction
The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) shows that Shanghai recently ranked in the top of all participating countries in student achievement (OECD, 2010 and 2014a). Since then the Chinese education system has attracted much attention (Lu, 2013). However, Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) does not include teachers from China (OECD, 2014b). This contributes to a lack of understanding of Chinese teachers’ professional practices and competences, despite evidence of their effectiveness. What competences characterize Chinese pre-service teachers? How are these competences taught in University teacher education programs?
1.1 Theoretical Framework
Research suggests that teacher competence serves as an important index of teacher quality (Conway, Murphy, Rath, & Hall, 2009; Caena, 2011). Teacher competence has been defined in literature reviews as knowledge, skills, values and personal characteristics which contribute to a teacher’s appropriate professional conduct in a given situation (European Commission, 2005; Yip &Smales, 2000; Caena, 2011; Zhang, 2013; Rychen, Saganik&Mclaughlin, 2003). According to the European Commission-Education and Training 2020 program (2011b), teachers should have specialist knowledge of their subject, plus the necessary pedagogical skills to teach students, including the ability to teach in heterogeneous classes, make full use of information and communications technology (ICT), and help pupils to acquire transversal competences (Caena, 2011, OECD, 2009 & 2014b). In some domestic studies in China, subject matter knowledge, teaching ability, and personal characteristics such as patience and responsibility have also been included in the competence structure for basic teacher education (Xu &Zhang, 2006; Han, 2004; Li& Lin, 2008).
What competences do the Chinese pre-service teachers possess, and what competences are developed through university training? However, the theme of teacher competence is not clearly and exhaustively elaborated in the Chinese teacher educational policies(MEPRC, 2010, 2011, 2013). Although a number of domestic studies of teacher competences have been conducted (e.g., Xu & Zhang, 2006, Wang, 2008; Chen, Yang & Li, 2013), this research lacks focus on inclusive teaching (awareness of and respect for students’diversity and individual differences) and flexibility in linking practice to educational policies. In this study we seek to place greater emphasis on ideas related to inclusive teaching (Brussels, 2007; European Commission, 2007a) and lifelong learning (European Commission, 2007b) in teacher competences. This includes the notions of diversity and inclusion in teaching, learning to learn, as well as cross-cultural competences as part of the theoretical model associated with the European and American teacher competency requirements (European Commission 2005, 2007b, 2011a, 2011b; Caena, 2011).
This research addresses two areas of teacher competence in teacher training: professional-oriented competences and individual-oriented competences (Gonzàlez&Wagenaar, 2005). The four professional-oriented competences include teachers’ professional knowledge, pedagogical (the ability to plan and design a class, skills related to ICT and organizing group learning activities in class, as well as critical and creative thinking on teaching and learning), assessment (ability to assess student learning and reflect on one’s teaching), and classroom management competences (Caena, 2011;Li & Lin, 2008). The five individual-oriented competences include teachers’ emotional (Usharani& Abdul, 2011), communication, social, and interpersonal (Usharani& Abdul, 2011), cultural and cross-cultural (McAllister &Jordan Irvine, 2000), learning to learn (Caena, 2011), and professional attitude, values and ethical competences (Xu & Zhang, 2006; Virgil &Varvel, 2007; Caena, 2011). In this study, the cultural and cross-cultural competences and the learning to learn competences are included in the theoretical frame work as parts of life-long learning and inclusive teaching.
1.2 Research Questions
- Which competences should the future Chinese basic education teachers possess?
- Which competences are currently taught in university teacher education programs?
- How are teacher competences developed during the 4-year university training program?
- Which factors influence the development of pre-service teachers’ competences?