This study developed a multicultural teaching competency scale for elementary school teachers. The model was developed through review of literature, expert discussions, and the Delphi method. Utilizing the developed scale as a diagnostic tool, this s...
This study developed a multicultural teaching competency scale for elementary school teachers. The model was developed through review of literature, expert discussions, and the Delphi method. Utilizing the developed scale as a diagnostic tool, this study ascertained elementary school teachers' level of significance awareness and possession of multicultural teaching competency, analyzed the discrepancy between the two levels, and finally presented the priority order for the development of multicultural teaching competency for elementary school teachers.
Five study questions were set up for the study:
① How high is the elementary school teachers' level of significance awareness about multicultural teaching competency?
② Do demographic variables alter the significance awareness level?
③ To what extent do elementary school teachers possess multicultural teaching competency?
④ Do demographic variables change the extent of the possession of multicultural teaching competency?
⑤ Is there any discrepancy between the elementary school teachers' significance awareness level and the extent of their possession of multicultural teaching competency? And what is the priority order for the development of the multicultural teaching competency for elementary school teachers?
The multicultural teaching competency for elementary school teachers is made up of three factors: knowledge, skill, and attitude. The results of the examination of the data collected from 335 elementary school teachers in Seoul are as follows:
Firstly, the level of elementary school teachers' significance awareness about multicultural teaching competency was highest in attitude, followed by knowledge, and skill competency: attitude competency was 4.49, knowledge 4.26, and skill 4.25. The average score of multicultural teaching competency significance awareness was 4.33 on a 5-point Likert-type scale.
Secondly, years of teaching experience had no influence on the significance awareness of multicultural teaching competency. As for the significance awareness level based on the teacher's assigned grade or subject, there was a statistically significant difference only in skill competency; teachers of single subject scored highest, while teachers in the lower grades placed second, and teachers in the higher grades, third(p<.05). There was no statistically significant difference between teachers who had multicultural teaching training or travel abroad experience and those who had no experience.
Thirdly, elementary school teachers possessed the highest multicultural teaching competency in attitude, followed by skill, and knowledge. The average multicultural teaching competency possession extent was 3.41 on a 5-point Likert-type scale: attitude competency was 3.83, skill 3.21, and knowledge 3.20. The result that attitude competency is relatively higher than other factors could mean that teachers show interest in multicultural education, but they don't have the necessary knowledge or skills, which suggests that teachers should be trained to improve their knowledge and teaching skills in multicultural education.
Fourthly, when demographic variables were applied to the possession extent of multicultural teaching competency, the more years of teaching experience teachers had, the higher the extent was (p<.001). This result demonstrates that teaching experience can make a difference, and correlates with the competency theory arguing that educational experience and training can develop competencies. As for the possession extent of multicultural teaching competency, based on the teacher's assigned grade or subject, the extent was highest for teachers in the lower grades, followed by teachers of single subjects, and teachers in the higher grades(p<.001). It is supposed that teachers in the higher grades, though they have about the same teaching load as teachers in the lower grades, lack sufficient time to explore various teaching methods and take an interest in other cultures because they have to take part in student guidance and extracurricular activities. Given most teachers in the higher grades are less experienced, the result corresponds to the fact that teachers with more years of teaching experience have higher possession extent of multicultural teaching competency.
In the possession extent of multicultural teaching competency, based on their experience in teaching multicultural students, teachers with experience were found out to have higher extent overall(p<.01). The findings are probably due to the studies and efforts of teachers who are aware of the necessity of multicultural education.
In the possession extent of multicultural teaching competency, based on multicultural training experience, the score of the possession extent turned out to be lower than that of the significance awareness level, and teachers with multicultural training experience showed a high level of multicultural teaching competency overall(p<.01). In respect to the differences among knowledge, skill, and attitude competencies, the group with multicultural training experience showed higher scores than the group with no experience; there was a statistically significant difference only in skill competency(p<.001).
In the possession extent of multicultural teaching competency, based on travel abroad experience, there was no significant difference in knowledge and skill competency. When the competency difference in attitude between the two groups was examined, the competency in the group with travel abroad experience was relatively higher(p<.05). This result corresponds with the preceding studies of Jung-Woo Lee(2007) and Ok-Soon Kim(2008), who argue that increasing teachers' exposure to other cultures reduces their racial prejudice and stereotypes and ultimately acts as a very important influence on their multicultural education. However, because travel abroad experience is common, with almost ninety-five percent of survey participants stating they have had travel abroad experience, it would be beneficial in future studies to ask questions about travel frequency, duration, and purpose in order to determine a more detailed comparison.
Lastly. the extent of elementary school teachers' possession of multicultural teaching competency was lower than that of multicultural teaching competency significance awareness. In the diagnosis of elementary school teachers' multicultural teaching competency, it was found out that while teachers were highly aware of the importance of multicultural competency components: knowledge, skill, and attitude, they evaluated their multicultural teaching compentency possession extent as low. The fact that teachers don't possess the competencies they regard as important means that they don't perform appropriate multicultural education, and suggests that teachers need to improve their multicultural teaching competency. When the priority order of multicultural teaching competency development for elementary school teachers was examined according to the priority order analysis using the Locus for Focus model, 16 out of 30 multicultural teaching competency items were applicable to the competency development priority order. When the items were categorized into the three factors, 7 were placed in knowledge competency, 8 in skill, and 1 in attitude.
For the successful performance of multicultural education, it is critical for teachers to equip themselves with multicultural teaching competency. According to the study results, while elementary school teachers were highly aware of the importance of multicultural teaching competency, they evaluated their possession extent as average; there was a discrepancy between significance awareness and possession extent. Therefore, taking the differences and the priority order of multicultural teaching competency development into consideration, we should develop systematic training programs based on the priority order to improve elementary school teachers' multicultural teaching competency.