Abstract
Purpose – International teaching practicum (ITP) is seen as an avenue for future teachers to broaden their world views and enhance their personal and professional development. Based on two teachers’ experiences of ITP in Bangladesh, in comparison to their teaching practicum experiences in Malaysia, this paper aims to examine the impact of the ITP on their professional development as future English language teachers. Methods – Two female teachers were involved in this qualitative research, whereby data were obtained from the teachers’ observations, reflective journals and face-to-face interview. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. Findings – Findings indicate that the two teachers had gained positive professional development experiences as a result of participating in the ITP, especially in terms of these four aspects: (i) confidence; (ii) teaching skills; (ii) perspective on education and culture; and (iv) interpersonal skills. Significance – The study indicates that ITP could be an alternative platform for future teachers to gain positive professional development experiences, which then would prepare them for the challenging teaching environment.
Highlights
Based on two teachers’ experiences of International teaching practicum (ITP) in Bangladesh, in comparison to their teaching practicum experiences in Malaysia, this paper aims to examine the impact of the ITP on their professional development as future English language teachers
Teaching practicum or practical is a crucial phase for pre-service teachers (PSTs) where they get to apply and practice all the theories, techniques and pedagogies that they have learnt in their teacher education programs in the real school environment (Barton, Hartwig & Cain, 2015)
The PSTs were asked to only reflect on their teaching experiences and professional development gained during their ITP in Bangladesh, Teacher A and Teacher B invariably and consistently made comparisons to what they had experienced in Malaysia and in Bangladesh in their reflective journals (RJs)
Summary
Teaching practicum or practical is a crucial phase for pre-service teachers (PSTs) where they get to apply and practice all the theories, techniques and pedagogies that they have learnt in their teacher education programs in the real school environment (Barton, Hartwig & Cain, 2015). Many educational institutions are beginning to initiate networking, agreements and meaningful collaborations with institutions from other countries with the aim of providing a platform and opportunities for their PSTs to experience learning and engaging in teaching in foreign educational settings and schools Such an initiative, in the form of an international teaching practicum (ITP), is motivated by the significance of ‘borderless education’ (Middlehurst, 2006) and the drive for globalization (Larsen, 2016; Kabilan, 2013; Mwebi & Bringham, 2009) so that PSTs are better prepared as teachers to face the challenges of the 21st century. For such a demanding epoch, professional development experienced during ITP could be one of the ways to prepare teachers, as Cushner & Mahon (2002) highlight: It is essential especially in these interdependent, global times, that preservice teachers experience cross-cultural learning to gain a deeper understanding of the world in which they live and to enable them to teach with, work with, and continue to learn from people different from themselves (p. 55)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
