Background: With the population decline, the number of primary and junior high schools is decreasing. As a result, fewer new graduates are employed in compulsory education in China. The educational institutions of teaching major undergraduates are seeking solutions to the problem of new graduates’ difficulty in finding a job as a teacher to increase the employment rate, thereby enhancing the school’s enrollment rate. Besides, the disconnect between teacher training institutions and primary schools often leads to dissatisfaction among school administrators regarding the preparedness of new teachers. Novice teachers are suffering, too. Methods: Using a semi-structured question guide, a focus group discussion has been conducted consisting of 1 male and 5 female teachers and administrators. A thematic approach was used for data analysis. Results: By adopting the method of thematic analysis, we identified seven requirements: Knowledge, Characteristics, Communication, Management, Teaching skills, Experience, and ICT application, which are expected on English teaching graduates, or novice teachers. Furthermore, recommendations for educational institutions include offering classroom management training, guidance for internships, career orientation, curriculum adjustment, and enhanced comprehensive quality training. Conclusions: By addressing these requirements and suggestions, universities are expected to better prepare English Teaching graduates to meet the challenges of teaching in primary schools and enhance their overall effectiveness as educators. The results should be considered a foundational step toward developing tailored and effective training programs for English majors aimed at improving the qualifications and effectiveness of English Teaching graduates in primary education.
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