An Evaluation of In-Service Training Courses for the Seventh Grade English Package for Iranian Schools (Prospect 1)

Abstract

The present study evaluates the preparatory in-service training courses held to prepare teachers for teaching the English textbook developed by the Ministry of Education for seventh grade, Prospect 1. To achieve this goal, an in-service training questionnaire developed based on interviews with 10 teachers was distributed among 230 teachers in Khorasan Razavi selected based on convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20) through descriptive and inferential statistics. In general, the results of the study showed the relatively high level of satisfaction with the courses among teachers. However, the findings indicated that the program was inefficient in addressing weak students. Another problem was the inefficiency in presenting the methodologies for teaching writing and reading skills. Therefore, the future programs should be concerned more with these two skills. Besides, the results revealed the need to pay more attention to evaluation and measurement matters. Moreover, it was found that the only effective factor in the teachers’ views toward courses was the instructor. Therefore, it is crucial to choose competent and skilled instructors for these courses. The findings also suggested the need to offer general English training courses to improve teachers' language proficiency.