Assessing the teaching efficacy beliefs of teacher trainees: A comparison of two institutions of Higher Learning in South Africa

This study assessed the teaching efficacy beliefs of third-year teacher education students from two different institutions, in three categories: student engagement, instructional strategies and classroom management. The study used a descriptive survey design. The target population for the study was all third-year students enrolled in five different programmes in each of the two universities of technology. A questionnaire, named the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), was used as an instrument to collect data from the participants. A total of 204 students from the two universities of technology completed the questionnaire. The results of the study on teacher trainees’ perceptions regarding their teaching efficacy beliefs revealed that 85% of the teacher trainees feel positive about their future occupation. The results therefore support the view that well-organised work integrated learning can lead to the development of a positive attitude towards the teaching profession.