예비교사에서 현직교사로: 초등영어교사의 예비교사교육에 관한 경험과 인식

Abstract

This study aimed to explore elementary English teachers’ experiences and perceptions of English pre-service teacher education (PRESET). In addition, it investigated the impact of PRESET on the teachers’ English language teaching (ELT). It also examined the teachers’ perceptions of ELT as pre-service and novice English teachers. Fifty elementary English teachers participated in the survey. Among them, ten teachers participated in the focus group research, and their interviews, reflection journals, and lesson observations·analysis were collected and analyzed qualitatively. The results are as follows: Overall, the teachers perceived the PRESET curriculum, teaching practicum, extracurricular activities, and the preparation for the Teacher Employment Test positively in terms of their adaptability into real-life ELT. At the same time, some teachers did not find PRESET particularly useful for their current teaching, because it was not applicable to their real English classroom context. It is implied that PRESET should be improved in order to heighten the teachers’ development of English language and English instructional skills, leading to their learners’ English communicative competence. In particular, there is a need to develop the Teacher Employment Test to measure and support the teachers’ English teaching skills more effectively. Important implications regarding elementary English teacher education will be further discussed.