Augmenting ESL Teacher Trainee Proficiency : A Case of Primary School Teacher Training in Zimbabwe - Research

This study sought to explore strategies of improving primary school teacher trainees' proficiency in the English language. A qualitative approach and a case study design were preferred for this research. Samples of twenty lecturers were purposively selected, comprising English language lecturers, English Communication Skills lecturers, and lecturers teaching content disciplines. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews and analysed thematically. Strategies for enhancing the English language proficiency of trainee teachers were suggested, namely the use of a collaborative approach to language teaching, contextualised teaching/learning, the development of oral language skills, the use of learner-centred methodologies, the integration of information and communication technologies into second-language teaching/learning, and enriching the Communication Skills syllabus content. Recommendations for improvement were made to various stakeholders.