Emotional Intelligence of Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

Emotional Intelligence is an important factor for school teachers in order to maintain a harmonious classroom environment. Teaching profession requires high level of Emotional Intelligence. Practically, this implies that in selecting, training, and developing teachers, Emotional Intelligence should be one of the important factor concerns. Annaraja and Jose (2005) found that rural and urban B.Ed., trainees did not differ in their self-awareness, self-control, social skills and emotional intelligence. Amrita and Kadhiravan (2006) found that gender, age and qualification influenced the emotional intelligence of school teachers. The main aim of education is the all-round holistic development of the students. In the pursuit of this goal, teachers play a significant role. Emotionally Intelligent teachers help students with improved motivation, enhanced innovation, increased performance, effective use of time and resources, improved leadership qualities and improved team work. Hence, it is essential to develop the emotional intelligence of student teachers during Pre-Service. The present research aims at studying the level of emotional intelligence of the Pre-Service teachers by employing survey method. The student- teachers were selected employing cluster sample technique. The tool employed by the researcher is the Bhattacharya’s Emotional Intelligence Inventory (BEIS-In). Mean, SD and t-test were employed to analysis the collected data. No student teacher falls under the below average level of Emotional Intelligence score.