Partnerships between teacher education universities and schools in practicum to train pre-service teachers of Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose Teacher education universities and schools have traditionally been the main sites of teacher learning in Vietnam. This relationship is the key in the process national curriculum innovation. The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between teacher education universities and schools in Vietnam, in regard to partnering for the delivery of teacher education adapting national curriculum innovation in Vietnam Method Data was collected through questionaries involving 243 participants comprising pre-service teachers, university lecturers and mentors. The result of this paper also uses semi-structured interviews to draw conclusions. Findings The findings show that there is a model for teacher education universities-schools cooperation in teacher preparation. However, the partnership is limited by such factors such as planning, mentoring, practicum program, communication between pedagogy universities and schools. The findings suggest that cooperation between pedagogical universities and schools can be promoted by mutually increasing awareness of the interdependence of relationships. The pedagogy universities and schools also need to diversify common areas of activity, especially to enhance dialogue on issues related to vocational training for pre-service students. Significance The results of the study provide insight into the factors that reduce the effectiveness of the partnership between pedagogical universities and schools, helping policy makers and educational managers have appropriate measures to develop the professionalism of teachers in high schools and help pre-service students prepare for future careers.