EFL Teacher Preparation and Professional Development Needs in Rural Schools Case study: EFL Teachers in the District of Ain Elhadjel
Loading...
Date
2025-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA
Abstract
learning English in both urban and rural settings. In Algeria, English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is considered a key subject in the education system, aiming to prepare teachers and provide them with essential professional development opportunities. This study primarily aims to assess the effectiveness of current EFL teacher training programs in equipping educators with the essential competencies, understanding, and resources necessary for teaching in rural settings. It also aims to identify the specific professional development needs of rural EFL teachers that current programs fail to address. A mixed-method approach is adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative data from a questionnaire administered to 32 rural EFL teachers across AinElhadjel district in M’sila. Data are analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics to identify patterns and disparities. Findings reveal notable gaps between the curriculum of teacher training programs and the realities of rural classrooms.The surveyed teachers report limited availability of local programs, a lack of financial resources, difficulty accessing technology, and content that is not relevant to rural settings. Additionally, ongoing professional development is reported to be limited, particularly in rural settings. The research concludes that EFL teacher training programs require significant reform to address the socio-cultural challenges of rural education demands. It recommends that policymakers and training institutions tailor programs to address the pedagogical needs of rural areas and provide rural teachers with additional incentives and retention strategies. It also recommends that policymakers should adapt curricula to incorporate teaching methods relevant to rural settings, along with mentorship initiatives and ongoing professional development to improve educator preparedness and effectiveness in these areas.
Description
Keywords
eywords: Teacher Preparation, Professional Development, Rural Teaching Challenges, Educational Policies.