Identifying, Evaluating and Prioritizing the Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of In-Service Training Courses (Case Study: English Language Teachers of the Secondary Schools in Tehran Selected Districts)

Abstract

The current study seeks to identify, extract, evaluate, and prioritize the factors affecting the effectiveness of in-service training course for English language teachers of the secondary schools in Tehran selected districts. The research is applied, and its data collection methodology is descriptive-survey. The statistical population is composed of all of the English language teachers (n=230) practicing in Tehran districts 2 and 4 who participated at least once in one of in-service training courses. Out of all participants, 102 were selected as the sample for data collection using stratified random sampling method. The required data were collected through one standard questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The prioritization of the indices was performed using multi-criteria decision-making techniques. The results from data analysis indicated that out of three factors including individual, training, and organizational, only the organizational factor had a significant positive impact on the effectiveness of in-service training of English language teachers. Hence, using TOPSIS method, the indices relevant to the organizational dimension were ranked based on the respondents’ views. The results from this prioritization showed that, from the teachers’ perspective, the factors with the highest priority include “employment law tailored to attend educational courses”, “organizational support of educational courses”, “score tailored to the course participants in terms of promotion and upgrade”, and “existing a supportive organizational climate for education”.