The Pre-Service Teachers' Metaphorical Perceptions about Syrian Asylum Seekers' Children

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the metaphorical perceptions of pre-service teachers about Syrian asylum seekers’ children. A metaphor analysis method was conducted through 160 pre-service teachers during the spring semester of the 2017-2018 academic year. Data was collected by a metaphor analysis form. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis were conducted both. Inductive content analysis was done to derive conceptual categories from the metaphors and the frequencies and percentages of participants who represent each metaphor and each category were calculated. The findings show that the most of the pre-service teachers perceive Syrian asylum seekers’ children as traumatized and helpless and need support of others. In addition, there is a category which qualifies Syrian asylum seekers’ children as dangerous. Different form all other categories, only the ‘Children’ category underlines the equity of them with the other children.