Exploring the expectations of newly-qualified teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the expectations that B.Ed. (Hons.) students develop throughout their four-year course at University. It also aims at proving if such expectations match the actual reality once they join the teaching profession as full-time teachers. A number of newly-qualified B.Ed. (Hons.), who graduated in a span of three years, i.e. from 1996 to 1998, were traced to answer a questionnaire. The questionnaire was targeted at identifying the expectations of these newly-qualified B.Ed. (Hons.) graduates as they joined the course of study and their feelings about the actual course. 10 novice teachers, randomly selected, sat for an interview, which helped us deepen our knowledge about the area with specific reference to the induction phase. Teacher Training and Teacher Induction in Malta is an area which as yet not much is known about, especially the first years in the teaching profession. Throughout this study we shall give an overview of Teacher Education in the last decade from an International perspective, where relevance can be seen with the local context and where we can improve the current situation of Teacher Education in Malta. It is hoped that our research will provide the reader with interesting and important information which can help bring together the theory and practice of Teacher Education and Development.