Identifying the Soft Skills for Foreign Language Teacher Training and the Perspectives of Prospective Teachers

This study aims to identify the essential soft skills for prospective foreign language teachers and determine which skills should be prioritized in their training. Through an extensive review of existing research and a thorough document analysis, 11 key soft skills were identified for teacher education: motivation, empathy, problem-solving abilities, stress management, presentation skills, organizational and planning skills, communication skills, teamwork, creativity, professional resilience, and time management. To understand which skills prospective foreign language teachers consider most important, focus group discussions were held with students from teacher training programs in Turkey and Germany. These sessions underscored the particular importance of empathy, communication, stress management, and motivation as the most valued skills for successful teaching. This research underscores the relevance of all identified soft skills for foreign language teacher training, emphasizing communication, empathy, stress management, and motivation. Embedding these skills in teacher education programs will not only support teachers' professional growth but also enhance the foreign language learning experience for students.