Determining the Field Knowledge of Teacher Candidates Who Are Students of German Language Teaching Department at Gazi University

Şerif Oruç

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.9n.6p.183

Abstract

In our study, we have put forward the argument that foreign language teaching, especially German language teaching has not been in the desired levels, and that German Teaching Departments are inadequate in training teachers. We have tried to prove our argument with numerical data in different aspects. First of all, we presented the list of order for Gazi University German Teaching Department and other teaching departments. In this list, Gazi University was 3 times the top in the list among 16 universities in the last 5 years. Next, we sought an answer to the question “What are the qualities of a good teacher?” On this topic, we presented the views of different experts as well as the criteria ‘The General Qualifications for the Teaching Profession’ prepared by the Ministry of Education. The third step was a table showing the success rates of students for subjects related to field knowledge at Gazi University German Teaching Department. This detailed table showed that the rate of passing classes was 87.5% and the success rates for the classes passed was 88.3 % for the years 2013-2017. As the fourth step, we conducted a questionnaire with students at Gazi University German Teaching Department to measure their subject knowledge. We asked 35 basic and elementary level questions to the students. We converted the obtained answers to relevant tables and we evaluated the success rates of numerical values. As a result, we found a shocking result of 66% failure and 34% success. Last of all, we found that the success rates of students in graduate classes, and the results of our questionnaires are not in line with each other. We also found out that the exam results of the Teaching Subject Knowledge Test supported the data found by our questionnaire. We have stated that teachers are not well trained. More than that, if we want to achieve success in education, especially in foreign language teaching, we suggest that the teaching profession receives higher salaries and that intelligent students are motivated to choose foreign language departments.In our study, we have put forward the argument that foreign language teaching, especially German language teaching has not been in the desired levels, and that German Teaching Departments are inadequate in training teachers. We have tried to prove our argument with numerical data in different aspects. First of all, we presented the list of order for Gazi University German Teaching Department and other teaching departments. In this list, Gazi University was 3 times the top in the list among 16 universities in the last 5 years. Next, we sought an answer to the question “What are the qualities of a good teacher?” On this topic, we presented the views of different experts as well as the criteria ‘The General Qualifications for the Teaching Profession’ prepared by the Ministry of Education. The third step was a table showing the success rates of students for subjects related to field knowledge at Gazi University German Teaching Department. This detailed table showed that the rate of passing classes was 87.5% and the success rates for the classes passed was 88.3 % for the years 2013-2017. As the fourth step, we conducted a questionnaire with students at Gazi University German Teaching Department to measure their subject knowledge. We asked 35 basic and elementary level questions to the students. We converted the obtained answers to relevant tables and we evaluated the success rates of numerical values. As a result, we found a shocking result of 66% failure and 34% success. Last of all, we found that the success rates of students in graduate classes, and the results of our questionnaires are not in line with each other. We also found out that the exam results of the Teaching Subject Knowledge Test supported the data found by our questionnaire. We have stated that teachers are not well trained. More than that, if we want to achieve success in education, especially in foreign language teaching, we suggest that the teaching profession receives higher salaries and that intelligent students are motivated to choose foreign language departments.

Highlights

Our aim for writing this article was to show that German Teaching Departments of teacher training universities are insufficient in training German teachers and that the “professional knowledge” and “professional skills” which are one of the most prominent among the minimum requirements for becoming a teacher are not fulfilled successfully
We have put forward the argument that foreign language teaching, especially German language teaching has not been in the desired levels, and that German Teaching Departments are inadequate in training teachers
If we want to achieve success in education, especially in foreign language teaching, we suggest that the teaching profession receives higher salaries and that intelligent students are motivated to choose foreign language departments

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Our aim for writing this article was to show that German Teaching Departments of teacher training universities are insufficient in training German teachers and that the “professional knowledge” and “professional skills” which are one of the most prominent among the minimum requirements for becoming a teacher are not fulfilled successfully. Öner (2010:30) accepts the general standards accepted by most educational scientists about teacher proficiency, he has stated a different perspective He says ‘It is seen that neither pedagogical knowledge nor subject knowledge are enough on their own to be able to teach. The data in these two tables are in harmony with each other and overlap.

Assessment and evaluation

Findings

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS