Assessing the Performance in EFL Teaching Practicum: Student Teachers’ Views

Abstract

This study aims to find out whether pre-service EFL teachers are satisfied with the way their performance in teaching practice is measured. A questionnaire was developed to elicit student teachers’ views related to the components of the measurement policies employed in the two practicum courses at Anadolu University English Language Teacher Training program. It was given to 117 student teachers after piloting the questionnaire. Then, 12 student teachers were interviewed to support the quantitative findings. The results of the analyses showed that majority of the students were satisfied with their grades in teaching practicum. Furthermore, student teachers found certain criterion measures as effective means for assessing their performance such as planning-preparation, general organization, and assessment by university supervisors while assessment by cooperating teachers, writing observation and reflection reports, and assessment by peer teachers were found to be the least effective ones. The findings are discussed considering the current measurement policies and certain other practices about teaching practicum component of teacher education programs. Some suggestions for university supervisors, cooperating teachers, student teachers, and all other parties related to teaching practicum are also provided.