The JULIET programme in the University of Jyväskylä : a view from the inside

Abstract

Finland is well known for its teacher education system. The author is interested in teacher education in Finland, especially the language teacher education. The JULIET Programme is combines teacher education with teaching English in primary schools. The author decided to research teacher education evaluation with the JULIET Programme. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the JULIET Programme. Strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated with the purpose of contributing programme improvements and better experiences for JULIET students. The researcher used the qualitative research method and focused ethnography to conduct the research. Interviews and observation were used for collecting data. A huge amount of data transcriptions were carried out for data coding with the content analysis method. The result was illustrated on the basis of the expectations and experiences of programme teachers, supervisors and students. It emphasized the strengths of the programme, which consisted of the elements of programme success. It was turned out from the programme teachers’ efforts on research, curriculum and activities’ arrangement, or the good cooperation with supervisors in the teacher training school. Meanwhile, the research pointed out the items that JULIET should count into its improvement, such as ICT skills, reforming course content and enhancing interaction ability of the programme.