Professional Competence of German Language Teachers

Abstract

Teacher Competency Test (UKG) materials, particularly professionalism competency for German language teachers is based on B1 GER (Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen) level material, which is above A1 and A2 GER level. This condition assumed to significantly affect the passing grade of German language teachers in Maluku considering the level of Teacher Competency Test material of German language is above the level of German Language teachers competency. Therefore, the objectives of this research are (a) describing the level of professional competence of teachers, so that it can be vital consideration in determining the materials of UKG as well as consideration in determining the training materials for German language teachers, (b) describing the outcomes of German language skills test at B1 level, (c) describing the frequency of teacher participation in self-development through German language course or training certificates. 53 German language teachers in Ambon city were involved in this research with the focal focus covering the outcome of UKG in 2015, particularly German language material, German online test results as well as the frequency of teachers participation in German language training / courses with certificates they have. The research employed analytical descriptive method. Data were gauged through UKG results analysis of German language teachers, interviews and questionnaires to find out the frequency of teacher participation in German language courses or training and online German language proficiency test. The results of the analysis show that (a) the average score of UKG of German language teachers reached 62.33. Meanwhile, for professional competence (linguistics) reached 58.27. The result clearly showed that the competence of German language teachers in Ambon city was still low, (2) the average score of online test of B1 level was 58.61, with slightly different score of each individual, so it can be concluded that not all German language teachers have met B1 level yet. (3) 13 (24.52%) out of 53 German language teachers teaching in Ambon City who had taken German courses in Germany, either with German Government scholarship or at their own expense, 20 teachers (37.73%) had taken German courses with different frequency and levels. Based on the aforementioned analysis, it can be said that the German language teacher in Ambon city still have low linguistic competence, even some are still at A1 and A2 level. This may be due to the low frequency of teacher participation in self-development activities, either individually or collectively by training and courses