THE IMPACT OF INTERNSHIP ON ATTITUDES TO TEACHING PROFESSION

Abstract

The main purpose of the research is to identify the influence of active internship on the attitude of future teachers towards teaching mathematics. The current study examines whether or not internship will change students perceptions regarding their enjoyment, motivation, values, self confidence towards mathematics and attitudes to teaching profession. 20 teacher candidates in their 4th academic year from Science Education Department , Suleyman Demirel University made up the research population. The pre-service teachers completed their two months of internship experience in 15 different public and private schools located in different cities of Kazakhstan. Such researchinstruments as Attitude Scale towards Teaching Profession and Attitude towards Mathematics Inventory were employed before and after internship ; and a specially designed survey used after internship served as a qualitative feedback of students’ future plans to remain a teacher. The research hypothesis was confirmed : active internship does change the future math teachers’ attitude to their profession .The results of this investigation can lead to the further improvements in educational curriculum, especially in planning and realization of pedagogical internship. According to the survey results, after practice, 61% of students plan to work in their specialty, and more than 60% of students plan to enter the magistracy to continue studying the profession of a mathematics teacher. Practical recommendations are given for improving practice in school. Key words: pre-service teachers , internship , attitude change , attitude to teaching profession , attitude to mathematics