EFFECT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES ON ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL SKILLS FOR IRAQI NON-SPECIALIST ENGLISH TEACHERS

Abstract

This study aims to explore how Iraqi universities can provide assistance to Non-Specialist English Teachers (NSET) to enhance their educational skills to teach Iraqi EFL students more effectively. The aim of current research is to comprehend the experiences of NSET who have taught Iraqi EFL students. This study sought to understand the role that Professional Development Courses (PDC) has played for NSET who have taught EFL students. This study was based on the theoretical framework which concluded that PDC was necessary for teachers to enhance their teaching skills. This study was framed with research questions inquiring about the effective PDC experienced by participants, their challenges and difficulties when teaching EFL students, and the educational models and skills needed to effectively guide EFL students. Ten teachers from various Iraqi universities who taught EFL students in the English language program were interviewed. The results of this study concluded that participants believed that the PDC they received was not useful for teaching EFL students because it occurred infrequently, the content of the meetings did not reflect the university's culture and needs, and the lack of collaborative and interactive workshops that did not bother with participants. Therefore, the implications of the practice gained from this study are that the PDC should occur regularly, with special time devoted to sessions only concerned with EFL education.