PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' LEVEL OF COMPETENCE AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Abstract

Despite vast research about teachers’ competencies, little if any, is known about the relationship between this factor and attitudes towards the profession of teaching among the pre-service and novice teachers. In this study, the relationship between pre-service teachers’ level of competence and their attitudes towards the teaching profession was investigated. For this purpose, a competency measurement observation card and a questionnaire on attitudes were administered to a sample of 41 male and female pre-service teachers from 4 universities in the Gaza strip, Palestine before and after a three-month competency training program. Results showed that the teachers’ competency level correlated strongly with their attitudes before and after training. The paired Samples T-test indicated that the training improved their competencies as well as their attitudes. The findings have implications on teacher education programs to promote both competency and positive attitudes of preservice teachers.