A Research On Program Standards For The Preparation Of Foreign Language Teachers In America

The development of economic and information accelerates the globalization and the relationship between countries becomes closer. As the tool of communication, foreign language has a huge influence on the development of country and individual. Foreign language teachers are essential to the improvement of language teaching. The result of foreign language teaching is decided by teachers'knowledge,professional qualification and the ability of research. Since 1980s in the 20th century, America has accumulated valuable experience in promoting the professional growth of foreign language teachers and establishing the certification system. In 2002, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language developed Program Standards for the Preparation of Foreign Language Teachers which is approved by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The standard reflects the necessary knowledge,skills and dispositions of a qualified teacher candidate. Comparatively, China still lacks standards and a complete accreditation system for English teacher education. So the research on Program Standards for the Preparation of foreign language teachers can provide us with rich experience.Firstly, the paper describes background information and design process of the standard. Secondly, it analyzes the knowledge base,main content of the standard,language and teaching view and teachers'professional development reflected by standard. Thirdly, the thesis introduces the operation of the standard.Fourthly, the paper summarizes the main characters of foreign language teachers education in America by analyzing the main content of Program Standards for the preparation of Foreign Language Teachers,INTASC Standards for Licensing Beginning Foreign Language Teachers and NBPTS World Language Other Than English Standards. Teacher pre-service education,licensing for beginning teachers and teacher development are guided by standards which guarantee the quality of teachers. Teachers oral language proficiency,communicative competence and life-long learning are emphasized. Teacher should cooperate with colleagues,communities and parents to make effort for the development of foreign language teaching. The assessment for teachers should pay attention to their performance and output competence. Finally, the paper gives several suggestions for reference when we set standards for English teachers'education in China. Firstly, the guiding principle is that the standard is expected to not only reflect the combination of content knowledge and teaching ability, but also emphasizes teachers' critical thinking and creative thinking and culture education. Secondly, the English teachers at all levels should participate in the design process of the standard. Thirdly, the government,institutions and teachers should strengthen cooperation in promoting the standard. Fourthly, the standard should be revised according to the practical condition and social environment. The new expectation to teachers will be proposed by standard to promote the development of society.