Pre-service Language Teachers’ Emotional Changes: Reflections on a Teaching Practicum Program in Turkey

Kesen Mutlu A., Ahkemoğlu H.

First International Language for All Conference 2022, Adana, Turkey, 21 - 22 October 2022, pp.68, (Summary Text)

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Adana
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.68
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

It is without a doubt that the role of emotions in teaching has gained importance recently and pre-service language teachers’ emotions are no exception. As teaching practicum could be viewed as an emotional experience, it is inevitable for pre-service teachers to experience a variety of pleasant and unpleasant emotions. Several studies have been carried out on preservice language teachers’ emotions, yet there seems to be a lack in view of tracing the emotional changes. To fill this gap, the present study aims at exploring pre-service EFL teachers’ emotional changes throughout a teaching practicum program. The participants were 65 pre-service teachers. Within the scope of the study, qualitative data were collected through reflections, focused-group interviews, and semi-structured interviews at three different times (pre-practicum, during practicum, and post-practicum). The results indicate that preservice language teachers experience a wide range of emotions that vary depending on the learners, mentors, and the teaching context. Keywords teacher emotions, pre-service EFL teachers, emotional changes of teachers