| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立雲林科技大學 === 應用外語系碩士班 === 100 === The main purpose of this research is to investigate and document the professional development of some EFL English teachers with English as their second major. The study focuses on the English studying experiences and teaching difficulties of these English teachers. Three main instruments were used to collect data: (1) a questionnaire, (2) individual interviews, and (3) classroom observation. Fifty five copies of valid questionnaire were received. Thirty six English teachers with English as first major and nineteen with English as second major participated in the study. Most English teachers developed their professionalism by attending teacher education programs held by various colleges and universities. Higher rate of English as first major teachers received teacher licenses, that is, 78% (28/36) compared with 53% (10/19) of those with English as second major. Based on the questionnaire survey, the top six English teaching difficulties encountered by English teachers are (1) English divide, (2) insufficient English oral communication ability, (3) insufficient English
writing ability, (4) insufficient teaching time, (5) students’ poor performance in English exams, and (6) lacking classroom management skills. With regard to the strategies for solving teaching difficulties, the top six strategies are (1) considering students’ feedback, (2) taking advantage of teachers’ own experience, (3) discussing with experienced teachers, (4) observing other teachers’ classes, (5) improving teachers’ own English, and (6) attending English teaching workshops. Most English teachers are self-motivated to study English on a regular basis. There are some differences between the English studying strategies used by teachers with English as first major and those used by teachers with English as second major. For instance, more English as second major English teachers (63%) than English as first major English teachers (17%) study English by pursuing a degree. In addition to studying English for a degree, the top four strategies used by English teachers for studying English are (1) reading English magazines/books, (2) watching English movies, (3) watching English TV programs, and (4) listening to English radios.
The findings of the study provide teacher education authorities with some practical suggestions for improving teacher professional development programs.
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