American K-12 CFL Teachers’ Expected Competence, Actual Qualifications, and Needs for Professional Training: A Concurrent Mixed-method Study

Chinese Title

美国中小学汉语教师期望胜任力、实际素养以及职业培训需求混合法研究

Authors

Xiongyi Liu, Cleveland State UniversityFollow
Ying Feng, Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow
Shunqin Li, Yunnan Agricultual UniversityFollow
Xiaocong Ding, Tianjin Electronic Information CollegeFollow

Author Name in Chinese

刘雄艺，冯莹，李顺琴，丁笑丛

English Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing demand in the global labor market for proficiency in Chinese as a foreign or second language. Yet not much is known regarding how Chinese language education is provided by the U.S. schools in order to meet this demand. The present study investigated the competence that a Chinese teacher is expected to have as well as the qualification that currently in-service K-12 teachers of Chinese are actually possess. In addition, this research explored teaching philosophies, attitudes, pedagogy, challenges and needs for professional training among the Chinese teachers who are currently hired by U.S. K-12 schools. A concurrent mixed method design was employed in this study to collect both quantitative and qualitative data with a questionnaire from a sample of 45 Chinese teachers. Result showed that most U.S. K-12 schools have minimum and preferred qualifications specified for a long-term Chinese teaching position, however there is a gap between the preferred qualification from the perspective of employers and the actual qualifications that current K-12 Chinese teachers possess. Teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about Chinese teaching competency are consistent with the expectations of their employers to some extent. Main finding suggests that K-12 Chinese teachers’ teaching philosophies are influence by both traditional Chinese culture and modern western culture. Lastly but not least, the majority of the participants rated classroom management and pedagogy as the two areas where professional training is needed the most.

Manuscript Language

English

Recommended Citation

Liu, Xiongyi; Feng, Ying; Li, Shunqin; and Ding, Xiaocong (2019) "American K-12 CFL Teachers’ Expected Competence, Actual Qualifications, and Needs for Professional Training: A Concurrent Mixed-method Study," Chinese Language Teaching Methodology and Technology: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cltmt/vol2/iss1/6