In Search of Quality Student Teachers in a Digital Era: Reframing the Practices of Soft Skills in Teacher Education

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this current study was to examine and document the practices of soft skills (communication, IT, numeracy, learning how to learn, problem solving, working with others, and subject-specific competencies) among English as foreign language (EFL) student teachers at one public university teacher education program in Jambi, Indonesia. The study centred on examining the level of soft skills practised by EFL student teachers in their learning process and the level of student engagement in every statement of soft skill components. Data were collected through distributing a questionnaire to EFL student teachers. The findings of the study showed the mean score of soft skills practices in overall (3.28 of 5.00) which was at an average level. A closer examination on more specific skills, five of seven Soft skills were practied at medium level; they were numeracy, learning how to learn, IT and problem solving and subject-specific competencies. However they rated their soft skills in term of communication and working each other at high level. The findings implied that the soft skills were not well-blended and practiced in learning and teaching process at the research site.