EFL Teacher Education Programs Research Articles

Using Artificial Intelligence in EFL Teacher Education Programs

Using Artificial Intelligence in EFL Teacher Education Programs

Integrating Artificial Intelligence-Powered Large Language Models in English as a Foreign Language EFL Teacher Education Programs

Integrating Artificial Intelligence-Powered Large Language Models in English as a Foreign Language EFL Teacher Education Programs

Entretejidxs: Decolonial Threads to the Self, the Communities, and EFL Teacher Education Programs in Colombia

In addressing the 21st century neocolonial research condition, in this article the au- thors firstly discuss how academia in general, and elt in particular, may configure as oppressive colonizing sites. Secondly, they introduce their own experience as pre- service and in-service educators who took part in pedagogy of possibilities (pop) at a university in Tunja, Colombia. Indigenous principles like interconnectedness and relationality and Chicanx/Latinx concepts, such as bodymindspirit, path of cono- cimiento, and spiritual activism were foundational to these educators’ pop. To them, pedagogy was a political act to resist the disembodied/disengaged/dispassionate nature of teaching/researching/being in academia and beyond. This four-year crit- ical-community autoethnography, uses testimonies, journals, and artistic creations as knowledge-gathering methods to analyze how decolonizing teaching-research practices informed the re-signification of these educators’ personal and professional identities. Theoretical coding revealed that pop permitted participants to engage in decolonial practices of self-recognition, re-construction, empowerment, growth, and healing. The analysis also revealed that decolonizing the self leads to the adoption of a positionality where values such as care and respect for one’s self and communities are paramount to move forward social-justice-critical-decolonial agendas. The results suggest the need to re-signify elt pedagogical and educational practices beyond neo- liberal agendas which propose rankings, individualism, and competition.

English teacher educators’ engagement with and attitudes towards educational research

Today, the development of research skills in teacher education programs is highly valued. In line with this, this mixed-method case study aimed to examine teachers’ engagement with and attitudes towards educational research in an EFL teacher education program in Mexico. A sample of the population of educators answered the Teacher Attitude Scale towards Educational Research (Ilhan et al.), whereas qualitative data emanated from interviews with 6 teachers. Findings suggest that teacher educators perceive the value of educational research; however, its necessity and applicability cannot be ascertained. Barriers that impede teacher educators’ engagement with research, resulting in a lack of research culture in this context, were also identified.

INVESTIGATING TRANSLATION COURSES AT AN UNDERGRADUATE EFL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM: VIEWS OF INSTRUCTORS AND PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

This study aims to investigate the contribution of translation courses to pre-service EFL teachers’ professional skills. Also, it is aimed to get in-depth insights from both pre-service EFL teachers and instructors in order to identify the weaknesses and strengths of translation courses in EFL teacher education programs. This study was designed as a qualitative case study and the participants were two course instructors and ten pre-service EFL teachers. The convenient sampling method was used, and the relevant data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. After data analysis, it was found that translation courses are very rewarding for pre-service EFL teachers in terms of increasing their linguistic competence, improving reading comprehension and making contributions to teaching language skills; however, it was also suggested that the number of translation courses should be increased and the content of these courses should be redesigned in order to turn them into introductory courses for pre-service teachers who plan to work as translators or pursue their education in master’s degree programs after graduation. Also, it was found that choosing course materials from wide range of topics in translation courses would make positive contributions to prospective teachers’ intercultural competence. In the light of above-mentioned findings, this study aims to fill in a gap in the existing research by touching upon the current issues in translation courses in EFL teacher education programs.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0978/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Developing an EFL Teacher Education Program in Light of National and International Standards

ABSTRACT Educational reform in Egypt focusses on several aspects among which is teacher preparation program. Perpetual efforts attempt to internationalize teacher education. Education internationalization is a process through which national education reform may adopt or adapt some selected innovative international standards, competencies and guidelines to upgrade education quality and competitiveness. In accordance with this trend, the present research paper suggests a program for preparing Egyptian EFL teachers education in light of key national and international standards. The suggested program was developed in light of nine national and international referenced documents. The study recruited (96) EFL students from the Faculty of Education, October 6 University. The research project adopted the mixed research method. Document analysis technique, interview, questionnaire, and Delphi focus group technique were used to collect the targeted quantitative and qualitative data. Based on the document analysis, seven key EFL preparation curriculum standards were stated and in light of which the proposed internationalized EFL teacher preparation program was developed. The proposed internationalized program was adopted by the Faculty of Education, October 6 University, Egypt.

Project-based Learning as a Tool for Student-Teachers’ Professional Development: A Study in an Omani EFL Teacher Education Program

Project-based learning (PBL) helps students gain a deep understanding of the knowledge they acquire, develops higher levels of learning, and promotes the motivation to learn. Through self-inquiry, self-planning, and investigation, students learn to be independent thinkers and autonomous learners and pursue their learning needs by seeking solutions for real-life problems. The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which PBL approach helped 146 student-teachers at the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, develop their course design skills. The study utilized a questionnaire with multiple sections. The students were asked for their opinion about the approach, the difficulties they encountered, and suggestions for improvement. The results revealed that the students’ responses were positive. The students enjoyed the project and agreed that it helped them gain many of the principles of courses design, as well as a host of academic skills. The students also reported a few challenges faced during the project such as needs analysis and writing goals and objectives. Teacher preparation programs in other contexts can benefit from the course design and the study findings to introduce change to their courses. Researchers and practitioners can also benefit from the challenges faced in implementing PBL in higher education institutions where one would expect students to be highly independent.

ANÁLISIS DE LAS PRÁCTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS DE DOCENTES DE INGLÉS BASADO EN SU NIVEL DE SUFICIENCIA

The influence of target language proficiency on language teaching practices is not a new area of research; nevertheless, there is still lack of knowledge since some research results have yield weak and inconclusive findings in different contexts. This research examines the relationship between EFL teachers' language proficiency and their teaching practices. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was followed and two data collection instruments were used: an English proficiency test, to determine the EFL teachers' proficiency level and a class observation scheme, to record instructional practices of seventeen EFL teachers systematically. The percentage of time spent on the different categories of the first part of the scheme and proportions of each category of the second part of the scheme were calculated to perform a Spearman correlation test. After that, a qualitative analysis of the teaching practices was conducted in order to get a deeper understanding of the quantitative data. The results indicate that higher proficient teachers provide better quality of input and feedback and are better models for learners; however, a direct influence on classroom management was not found. An equal focus on pedagogy and methodology instruction as well as on target language improvement is suggested for EFL teacher education programs.

Supervisory Support Received by EFL Student Teachers during Practicum: The Missing Link

This study investigates the role of supervisory support for assisting the EFL student teachers to perform better during practicum. It also aims at identifying the barriers of effective supervision during teaching practicum. The study adopts the qualitative research design using a multiple case study. Semi-structured interviews are developed to collect data from four student teachers and their supervisors during their teaching practices at local secondary schools in Yemen. Four emerging themes are developed from the thematic analysis of the data including the supervisory support on lesson planning, teaching strategies, classroom management and the number of observations. The findings reveal that the participating student teachers received insufficient support and guidance from their panel supervisors which limit their pedagogical practices during practicum. The findings also highlight some barriers to effective supervision due to some restrictions. The study provides practical implications for EFL teacher education program administrators and developers to reconsider the supervision plan so as to contribute towards professional teaching practices at schools during practicum in Yemen.

Factors Shaping EFL Preservice Teachers’ Identity Configuration

Preservice EFL teachers face many challenges when developing their practicum. Such an experience shapes their identity and influences the teaching and learning processes. This descriptive case study is about preservice teachers’ identity formation and the factors that shaped their identity configurations during a practicum course offered at a state university in Colombia. Data, collected through interviews, reflective journals, and drawing-derived metaphors were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results identified participants’ value/belief system, personality traits, context, pedagogical decisions, reflective practice, and critical incidents as influential factors in their identity formation process. The findings also revealed that identity can be constructed through the intersection between the different experiences they go through during their practicum and their past and future trajectories. The study suggests that EFL teacher education programs should take explicit pedagogical actions to incorporate the identified factors in their curriculum. This could strengthen EFL preservice teachers’ identity configurations and prepare them better for their future teaching roles.

Perceptions on an EFL Teacher Education Program: Voices from Teacher Candidates

The present study aims to discover the perceptions of teacher candidates about a teacher education program, which is a reflection of the overall education system, in a foundation university based in Turkey. Since teacher candidates are part of the system of teacher education, it might be crucial to gather their insights about the program that they are provided with. In this light, this study examines teacher candidates (n=33) perceptions through a questionnaire, which has been prepared by using Peacock’s (2009) evaluation model. In addition to the questionnaire, semi-structured interviews (n=3) have been held to gather in-depth qualitative data. This study might have implications for the evaluation of the ELT program from teacher candidates’ point of view. The findings of the study indicate the participants’ perceptions on the harmony among courses, balance of teacher and student centeredness, effectiveness of training on the usage and adaptation of materials, transferability of skills to the local context, etc. The teacher candidates also have revealed their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the program while they come up with suggestions to overcome the weaknesses.

Helping Pre-Service Student Teachers Develop Teaching Skills in English Proficiency Courses in an EFL Teacher Education Program: A Phenomenological Study

Teacher education programs seek to equip EFL pre-service student teachers with pedagogical and teaching skills. Existing research showed that pre-service teacher preparation programs deliver pedagogical knowledge and teaching skills in the form of courses focusing on pedagogy and teaching, demonstrative classes, and teaching practicums. However, sometimes this is not enough to prepare EFL teachers well. This fact has made some teacher preparation programs to explore other alternatives. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of 10 EFL teacher educators and 10 pre-service EFL student teachers about the development of English teaching skills in courses meant to develop English proficiency in a pre-service EFL teacher education program at a public university in Nicaragua. Data were collected utilizing structured interviews, document analysis, and classroom observations. Findings demonstrated that English proficiency courses are an excellent source to help pre-service student teachers develop pedagogical and didactic knowledge. To achieve that, EFL teacher educators provide student teachers with a didactic explanation of teaching strategies they use to teach English skills. Student teachers, on the other hand, keep a record of those explanations in a diary with their reflections about the effectiveness of teaching and learning strategies. Student teachers are given opportunities to teach their classmates demo classes using some of the strategies or activities their professors used. Student teachers found this way of acquiring teaching skills challenging but useful. In the beginning, they feel nervous; however, as they progress, they get used to that integrated learning approach. Finally, participants said that the pedagogical diaries created by student teachers are used not only in demo lessons but also in their teaching practicum as well as when student teachers teach for the first time in schools.

Becoming an EFL Teacher Educator in Nicaragua: A Phenomenological Study

EFL teacher education has two sub-fields. On the one hand, we find English teachers, those professionals who teach English proficiency. On the other hand, we find teacher educators, those professionals who are teachers of teachers. Current research suggested that the latter needs more examination yet [2]. Therefore, this qualitative phenomenological study sought to examine EFL teacher educators' sources of knowledge base and the types of knowledge and skills that constructed their knowledge base. The purposefully selected research site was a teacher education program at a public university in Nicaragua. The sample consisted of six experienced EFL teacher educators. We gathered data through structured interviews and document analysis. Findings revealed that to become an EFL teacher educator might take more than three years of teaching in EFL teacher education programs, and it requires more preparation than just being an English teacher. The results indicated that teacher educators construct their knowledge and skills from eight sources, namely, coursework, observational knowledge, experience as language learners, EFL teaching experience, technology, research, teaching experience as EFL teacher educators, and professional development. Out of these sources of knowledge, participants built sixteen types of knowledge and fourteen skills. The knowledge and skills they valued more were English proficiency, language learning experience, subject knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, teaching experience in EFL teacher education programs, assessment knowledge of students' teachers, and knowledge of students' L1. This study concluded that becoming an educator requires more preparation and commitment than just being an English teacher. It suggested that universities should consider offering undergraduate and graduate programs to train EFL teacher educators.

EFL Teachers’ Cultural Identity Development through Participating in Cultural Negotiation: Probing EFL Students’ Perspectives

Abstract This study was an attempt to probe the perceptions of the EFL students about the cultural identity development of the EFL teachers who participated in cultural negotiation programs. To that end, the interactionally oriented narratives of four EFL students were collected. The narratives were about the cultural performance of the EFL teachers who participated in the cultural negotiation programs in the EFL classes. The narratives were codified based on the principles of Strauss and Corbin (1998) systematic approach. the findings indicated that the EFL students had positive opinions about how their teachers dealt with cultural issues in the classrooms after participating in cultural negotiation programs. The findings also indicated that the EFL students perceived that the EFL teachers engaged more in cultural discussions, they used more interaction types, they were more motivated to address cultural issues in the classes, and they took into account the emotions of their students in cultural discussions in the classrooms. Moreover, it can be concluded from the findings that cultural negotiation programs have positive effects on the EFL teachers’ cultural identity development if the principles of identity-as-practice and identity-in-discourse will be followed in the EFL teacher education programs.

Utilizing Formative Assessment Culture in EFL teacher education programs in the Middle East

Utilizing Formative Assessment Culture in EFL teacher education programs in the Middle East

An EFL Teacher Education Programme: Issues and Concerns from a Yemeni University

Teacher education programmes (TEPs) promote unique experiences that involve a deep understanding of teaching needs, advanced strategies, preparation and training at universities or schools. The main objective of this study is to investigate the English teacher education programme (ETEP) in order to reform and develop current teaching practices in a rapidly developing area of research. The present study aims to look at three main areas which include the university preparation strategy, classroom teaching and supervisory support of an ETEP in Yemen. The data were collected through a questionnaire emailed to all the fourth-year student teachers of the English Department, Faculty of Education, at a public university in Yemen. The results reveal several issues concerning university courses, pedagogical practices, planning lessons, methodologies, and approaches. They disclose some inconsistencies between the proposed strategies at the university and the actual classroom implementation. The results also indicate that the present teaching duration is insufficient to realize the real benefits of the program for sustainable growth. The study provides some recommendations for student teachers, teachers, supervisors, curriculum designers, and policymakers.

An EFL Teacher Education Programme: Issues and Concerns from a Yemeni University

Teacher education programmes (TEPs) promote unique experiences that involve a deep understanding of teaching needs, advanced strategies, preparation and training at universities or schools. The main objective of this study is to investigate the English teacher education programme (ETEP) in order to reform and develop current teaching practices in a rapidly developing area of research. The present study aims to look at three main areas which include the university preparation strategy, classroom teaching and supervisory support of an ETEP in Yemen. The data were collected through a questionnaire emailed to all the fourth-year student teachers of the English Department, Faculty of Education, at a public university in Yemen. The results reveal several issues concerning university courses, pedagogical practices, planning lessons, methodologies, and approaches. They disclose some inconsistencies between the proposed strategies at the university and the actual classroom implementation. The results also indicate that the present teaching duration is insufficient to realize the real benefits of the program for sustainable growth. The study provides some recommendations for student teachers, teachers, supervisors, curriculum designers, and policymakers.

Can an outsider become an insider? Analysing the effect of action research in initial EFL teacher education programs

ABSTRACTAction research methodology is commonly used in initial teacher education programmes as a pedagogical strategy to enhance student teacher learning. Action research is most often used in tandem with school-based practicum components in the latter stage of programmes as a means of bridging the theory-practice divide. It is also frequently used as a capstone assessment to assure prospective teacher capability for reflective inquiry. The study reported here focuses on the perspectives of teachers who were recent graduates of two initial English language teacher education programmes in Chile, who had undertaken action research projects as part of their degree programme. It also engaged the university-based supervisors who had overseen this work. These experiences are analysed in the context of the guiding epistemological and political foundations of action research. The outcomes of this research suggest that the use of action research in initial teacher education contexts may be more problematic than it is often assumed; particularly, where student teachers’ work is professionally isolated. From this, it is suggested that action research in initial teacher education needs to be conscious of potential constraints in school-based contexts, as these may act to limit the current and prospective impact of this learning experience.

أثر استخدام استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي على تطوير الأداء الصفي للطالبات المعلمات تخصص اللغة الإنجليزية في جامعة الأقصى

الملخص: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى بحث أثر استخدام استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي على تطوير الأداء الصفي للطالبات المعلمات، تخصص اللغة الانجليزية. ولقد تبنت الدراسة المنهج شبه التجريبي. وتكونت عينة الدراسة من(٣٢) طالبة مقيدة بالمستوى الرابع في تخصص اللغة الانجليزية واساليب تدريسها بكلية التربية في جامعة الاقصى بغزة، وتم تقسيمهن عشوائيا إلى مجموعتين (ضابطة وتجريبية). اعتمدت المجموعة الضابطة على الطريقة المعتادة في أدائها، وهي تعليقات المشرفين فقط، بينما استخدمت المجموعة التجريبية استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي في فترة التربية العملية (2) حيث تم تدريب المجموعة التجريبية على استخدام استراتيجيتين للتدريس التأملي وهي: المذكرات اليومية، وملاحظة الزملاء أو الرفاق. ولقد تمت الاستعانة في هذا البحث بوسائل جمع البيانات وهي: قائمة ملاحظة بممارسات وأداء التدريس الصفي، ومقياس (متدرج) لتحليل وتقدير استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي. تم تحليل البيانات كميا وكيفيا. واستخدمت الدراسة الإحصاء الوصفي (المتوسطات، والانحرافات المعيارية، والتكرارات، والرتب، والنسب المئوية واختبار ت في تحليل البيانات. ولمعرفة حجم التأثير الناتج عن استخدام استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي (المتغير المستقل) على الأداء الصفي للطالبات المعلمات (المتغير التابع) تم الاستعانة بمربع إيتا. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة اهم ممارسات الأداء الصفي التي تحتاجها الطالبات المعلمات داخل الغرفة الصفية. كما اوضحت النتائج تحسنا ملحوظا في الأداء الصفي للمجموعة التجريبية. وعلاوة على ذلك، اظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى 0.01) ) بين متوسطي درجات المجموعتين (التجريبية والضابطة) في التطبيق البعدي لقائمة معايير الأداء الصفي ككل وفي كل محور من المحاور الستة (توجيه التعليمات، استخدام تقنيات طرح الأسئلة المحفزة، استخدام التقنيات المناسبة لتصحيح الأخطاء، تعزيز الإجابات الصحيحة، الاستخدام المنظم للسبورة، واستخدام مصادر المعلومات والوسائل المتوفرة) لصالح المجموعة التجريبية. كذلك وتوصلت الدراسة إلى وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند المستوى بين متوسط درجات المجموعة التجريبية في التطبيق القبلي والبعدي لقائمة معايير الأداء الصفي ككل وفي 0.01) ) كل محور من المحاور الستة السابق ذكرها وذلك لصالح التطبيق البعدي. وخلصت الدراسة إلى فعالية استخدام استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي خلال التربية العملية في تحسين الأداء الصفي للطالبات المعلمات تخصص اللغة الانجليزية واساليب تدريسها. وفي ضوء النتائج التي تم التوصل إليها، جاءت بعض التوصيات ومنها: وجوب دمج استراتيجيات التدريس التأملي في برامج إعداد معلمة اللغة الانجليزية، وفي مقررات طرق تدريس اللغة الانجليزية خاصة. وأنه من الضروري أن تتعرف الطالبة المعلمة على أساليب وطرق مختلفة ومتعددة للتأمل ٠ وقد أوصت الدراسة بإمكانية تطوير أداء المعلمات أثناء الخدمة باستخدام التدريس التأملي وأنشطته، بالإضافة إلى وجوب تدريب الطالبات المعلمات على استخدام الأدوات التي تدعم التفكير التأملي. الكلمات الدلالية: التدريس التأملي، الأداء الصفي ، الطالبات المعلمات، اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة اجنبية

Scaffolding the Learning-to-Teach Process: A Study in an EFL Teacher Education Programme in Argentina

This study seeks to examine how a supervisor scaffolds the student-teachers’ learning-to-teach process in the context of one-to-one tutoring sessions in an English as a foreign language teacher education programme in Argentina. The findings indicate that scaffolding implies two main phases: a diagnostic and an intervention phase. Moreover, the supervisor was found to provide contingent help, which suited the student-teachers’ perceived needs and/or difficulties. In conclusion, scaffolded help should be understood in relation to the function it serves and how it accommodates the students’ level of understanding.