Research Article

When Student Teachers Meet First Graders in EFL Classrooms

Chiou-Hui Chou 1 *
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1 National Hsinchu University of Education, 521 Nanda Road, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan* Corresponding Author
Mediterranean Journal of Social & Behavioral Research, 1(1), July 2017, 30-43
Published: 01 July 2017
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ABSTRACT

The teaching practicum is often a capstone component of teacher education programs around the world, offering prospective teachers an opportunity to connect theory with practice under the guidance of their supervisors. Inquiry into student teachers’ learning can help bridge the gap between campus-based coursework and real classroom teaching in teacher education. This study reports on a university supervisor’s first year experience, observing student teachers’ teaching in EFL elementary classrooms, in particular, teaching first graders. Data were collected from classroom observations, post-observation discussions, and student teachers’ reflective journals. It finds that the university supervisor tended toward educative supervision, guiding student teachers to implement TESOL methodology from university coursework, to reflect on and learn from classroom experiences, and to examine the effects of their lessons and activities. Examining the classroom observations, the researcher also critically reflected on her university coursework regarding how to prepare prospective teachers to be successful in enacting complex teaching practices. Suggestions concerning the supervision of EFL student teachers are made along with recommendations for further research.
Keywords: EFL, Student Teachers, Teaching Practicum, TESOL

CITATION (APA)

Chou, C.-H. (2017). When Student Teachers Meet First Graders in EFL Classrooms. Mediterranean Journal of Social & Behavioral Research, 1(1), 30-43.

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