Raising Students' Awareness of Teaching Competences by Means of the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages

The paper presents the results of an investigation into the use of the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages (EPOSTL) as part of the ELT methodology courses which are part of the Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Programme of Study of Primary Education and the English Language at the Faculty of Teacher Education in Zagreb. The EPOSTL is a self-assessment and reflection tool designed by the Council of Europe for students undergoing initial teacher education and thus includes teaching competences relevant for language teachers in the whole European area of education. Its use should contribute to raising awareness of both generic and specific teaching competences and of the necessity to link initial teacher education and continuous professional development. The EPOSTL has been applied in the Programme within the framework of ELT methodology courses since the 2009/10 academic year. The authors also present the findings of the analysis of students' feedback on the use of the EPOSTL. The feedback revealed aspects of the EPOSTL which proved to be problematic for student. Having conducted such a study gives teachers involved the opportunity to modify and improve particular aspects of the use of the EPOSTL in order to reach the aims set.