Unveiling Instructors’ Expectations for Incoming Pre- service Language Teachers: Insights into Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

This study aimed to explore what language instructors at Bataan Peninsula State University - Balanga Campus expect from incoming pre-service language teachers, focusing on the key knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective teaching. To gather a deeper understanding, the research adopted a qualitative approach. Data was collected from ten language instructors through interviews and group discussions. The collected information was then carefully analyzed using MAXQDA software. The results showed that instructors highly value strong language proficiency, especially in grammar and literary knowledge. They also stressed the importance of teaching skills, including lesson planning, clearly delivering instructions, effective communication, and managing the classroom well. Beyond technical skills, personal qualities like a dedication to continuous learning, self-motivation, and a proactive mindset were seen as crucial for professional development. In summary, the study underscores the diverse expectations placed on future language teachers. It suggests creating a thorough assessment system that evaluates not just language ability but also teaching competencies and professional attitudes. This approach would help prepare pre-service teachers more effectively to meet the challenges of modern classrooms.