From Needs Analysis to Programme Design: Online Speaking Skills Upskilling Programme for ESL Teachers

Abstract

This study observed that many teacher professional development programmes are designed without considering teacher’s voice. The present study addresses this gap by designing an online speaking skills upskilling programme that is based on a group of ESL teachers’ needs. The study employed the mixed methods research approach. Using the convenience sampling, 104 ESL teachers answered an online needs analysis survey. In the qualitative phase, an online interview was carried out with seven teachers who took part in the upskilling programme. Based on the findings, two conclusions can be made. First, for an upskilling programme that focuses on the enhancement of the speaking skills to be successful, psychological constructs such as self-esteem and anxiety need to be considered at the design stage. Second, as the programme was conducted fully online, having synchronous sessions is an important design feature. There are two implications. Firstly, it underscores the importance of integrating psychological considerations into the design of online speaking skills programs for ESL teachers. Secondly, it emphasizes the value of striking a balance between online and synchronous components While the study contributes valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. Specifically, it does not explore the impact of improved speaking skills on teachers' classroom practices, and it solely focuses on speaking skills development. Future research could delve into the relationship between teachers' speaking proficiency and their instructional practices. Additionally, exploring the broader benefits of such online upskilling programs on other language skills would be a promising avenue for further investigation.