Unlocking the Key Attributes of an Effective English Teacher: Insights from the Perspectives of Teachers at the Higher Secondary Level

Abstract

English is a global language of communication. Proficient English teachers play a significant role in the learning process. A mixed method approach was used to explore teachers’ perceptions of the key attributes essential for an effective English teacher at the higher secondary level. The population consisted of 485 teachers working in 20 higher secondary schools in the district of Swabi, KP, Pakistan. Using a sampling technique, 20 teachers involved in English teaching were selected from each school, resulting in a representative sample for data collection. The data are collected using a questionnaire that included both quantitative and qualitative parts. The quantitative part was further classified into three main sections; “personal qualities”, “professional qualities”, and “pedagogical skills”, each containing 9, 8, and 9 items, respectively, with a 5-point Likert scale. The results declared that the overall response, based on the weighted mean of the number of responses compared with the set-up scale for a 5-point Likert scale, was in agreement with the mentioned attributes of an effective English teacher. Consequently, a thematic analysis of the qualitative responses further identified some key attributes of an effective English teacher, with 6 themes, as well as features to avoid by English teachers, which were identified through 7 themes. It was concluded from the study that an effective English teacher should possess a positively strong personal qualities, professional qualities, and pedagogical skills. Furthermore, it is imperative for English teachers to refrain from engaging in practices that could have a detrimental effect on their students.