Excellent English Teachers – A View from English Teachers

Abstract

English proficiency among Malaysians has been under highlight recently. Among the factors that are investigated are the excellent practice of Malaysian English Teachers. In order to improve teaching practices, teachers need to know what is considered excellent practice. Several researches have pointed out what criteria is considered as being excellent teachers. From meta-analysis of previous research, 16 criteria were found as being criteria of Excellent Teachers with the most common criteria relating to being Student-Centred. The objective of this research is to investigate criteria of excellence among English Teachers. A small-scale study was conducted among Malaysian English Teachers. A questionnaire was distributed among Head Panels of English from an education district with 74 items pertaining to description of being an excellent teacher. The findings have revealed an interesting insight as to what is considered excellent among English teachers. Out of 74 items, 10 items that had the highest mean scores were identified. The aspects that had the highest mean score was Personal Belief and Classroom Environment. Among the criteria with the lowest mean score was Students Centred  and Professional Development. It is hoped that this research will give an insight of what is criteria is looked at when discussing the issue of Excellence among Malaysian English Teachers.