In this time of ambiguity, change, and conflict, integrating teacher leadership into initial teacher education (ITE) programs is crucial. However, complexities exist regarding ITE quality globally and in Vietnam specifically. This study explores the perceptions of different ITE stakeholders in Vietnam towards teacher leadership and factors that impact prospective teachers’ preparedness for teacher leadership based on the Teacher Leadership Model Standards. Using mixed methods, data were collected from surveys with pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and teacher educators in various universities that offer ITE programs in Vietnam. Statistical analysis was deployed to identify similarities and differences in the perceptions of the three groups of participants, highlighting that while pre-service and in-service teachers share similar viewpoints toward teacher leadership, those of teacher educators are significantly different in some key areas. Furthermore, thematic analysis of qualitative responses from in-service and pre-service teachers was employed to shed light on their beliefs about the importance of teacher leadership and explore how the ITE programs support or hinder pre-service teachers’ preparedness in developing and validating their leadership skills. The findings of this study will have ramifications for the potential to restructure the ITE programs in Vietnam to better prepare the nation’s future leaders for the education system and society as a whole.

Use of technologies and online presence is now almost inevitable in language learning. The practice of virtual exchanges (VEs) has been receiving a lot of attention among educators at all levels over the past years. This research paper sheds light on 13 VEs carried out in pre-service teacher education in the last six years and proposes its own VE design based on recommendations from the literature with the future perspective of designing a specific VE for the research. The aim of the systematic review was at first to determine the exchange and interaction set-ups and the potential gains in the terms of pre-service teachers’ skills development. Afterwards, we identified areas for improvement and proposed our design of a VE between pre-service teachers of English in Slovakia and Turkey. Some of the expected contributions of the proposed VE design are development of a linguistic and intercultural communicative competence, digital literacy, and other competences relevant for development of VEs.

This study focuses on the competency structure factors of elementary school English teachers under China’s new curriculum standards, aiming to reveal the core competencies that teachers should possess in the context of education in the new era. Through the comprehensive application of qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaire survey methods, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the competency structure of primary English teachers. It was found that the competency structure of elementary school English teachers is mainly composed of six dimensions: professionalism, personality traits, teaching ability, student views, teaching organization strategy and research ability. These dimensions work together to influence teachers’ teaching effectiveness and students’ learning effectiveness. The study also found that there were significant differences in the competency characteristics of elementary school English teachers across gender, teaching experience and educational qualifications. In general, this study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the professional development of elementary school English teachers, which can help to improve the quality of teachers’ teaching and promote the comprehensive development of students.

Comparative studies of national values are becoming increasingly important in the context of contemporary globalization processes. An essential condition for the shaping of national values in learners is the enrichment of pedagogical technology with components of digital technology. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in the current study. The purpose of this research is to examine the efficacy of mobile learning in shaping the national values of prospective teachers. The experiment included 180 participants. Diagnostics of the levels of national values formation in the initial stage confirmed the assumption about the low formation of national values among teacher candidates and, consequently, the need for targeted work on their formation. This study demonstrates that significant advances in students’ national values have occurred following the introduction and testing of mobile learning with experimental group (EG) participants to shape national values. The data from this study can serve as the basis for creating strategies for shaping the national values of learners in universities and as a methodological basis for adapting mobile learning for the shaping of national values.

Improving educational outcomes in subjects such as English and mathematics remains a significant challenge for educators and policymakers. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM), which aligns human resource practices with organizational goals, has proven effective in business sectors but is less explored in educational contexts, especially from students’ perspectives. Existing studies often focus on teacher development, overlooking direct impacts on student performance. This research addresses the gap by examining how SHRM influences students’ performance in English and mathematics, incorporating student feedback to assess SHRM’s effectiveness. In the quantitative study, 200 students were analyzed to explore the relationship between SHRM practices and academic outcomes. The findings indicate that SHRM significantly affects student performance, with high predictive relevance and explanatory power in both subjects. The results suggest that strategic HR practices, such as professional development, performance management, and resource allocation, are critical to academic success. These insights provide valuable implications for educators and policymakers, highlighting the importance of integrating strategic HR management into educational frameworks to enhance curriculum design and resource distribution. The study demonstrates the broad applicability of SHRM across different academic disciplines, suggesting a need for comprehensive HR strategies that focus on both teacher and student performance. Future research should explore how SHRM influences educational outcomes and identify contextual factors that moderate its impact, enhancing effective HR practices in diverse academic settings.

This study aims to examine the impact of an innovative self-directed professional development (SDPD) model on fostering teachers’ professional development and improving their ability to manage this development independently. A quantitative research method was adopted, involving 60 participants from Almaty State Humanitarian and Pedagogical College No. 2, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess the SDPD model’s effectiveness, specifically in promoting teacher engagement, adoption of new pedagogical techniques, and improvement in reflective practices. The study findings reveal that teachers, particularly in developing regions, often face challenges in accessing formal professional development programs. The implementation of the SDPD model addresses these barriers by providing teachers with the tools and strategies required for self-improvement, regardless of geographic or economic constraints. The study participants in the pilot phase showed increased engagement with new pedagogical methods, improved reflective practices, and greater adaptability to emerging educational technologies. The algorithmic aspect of the model streamlined the professional development process, while the activity-based approach ensured that learning remained practical and relevant to teachers’ everyday needs. By offering a clear framework for continuous improvement, the model addresses the gaps in formal training access and cultivates a culture of lifelong learning. These findings suggest that the SDPD model can contribute to elevating teaching standards globally, particularly in regions with limited professional development resources.