An Evaluation of teaching practice from the point of view of the language teaching methods: Implementation and theory in teacher education

Abstract

ABSTRACT This thesis is devoted to the evaluation of the linkage between the theoretical education and practice teaching student teachers undergo. It attempts to uncover factors which affect the success of teacher candidates In their first teaching experiences at cooperating schools. Accordingly, a field study was conducted in order to test the following hypothesis: The degree of success in the Methodology Course Is closely related to the degree of success in teaching practice. In this study, eight different evaluation forms and a questionnaire were used. The purpose was to find out how the knowledge related to language teaching methods is related to students' performance in real classroom situations. Subjects of this study were 27 fourth-year students attending the English Language Teaching Unit, at the Faculty of Education, Çukurova University. The analysis of the data showed that there was no such correlation, namely, between the success In the Methodology Course and the performance in classes. These students often failed to implement what they were supposed to learn from the Course. The responses of student teachers to the questionnaire revealed that such problems as over-crowded classes, insufficient guidance by cooperating teachers and supervisors, or lack of student interest were claimed to be important factors which affected their performance. The first chapter offers background to the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, hypothesis, and definition of terms related to this study. The second chapter gives information about teacher education and preparation, models of teacher education, and field experiences. In addition, as this study focuses on practice teaching, Its components, objectives, and benefits are elaborated. Finally,eightlanguage-teaching methods related to the evaluation forms are also explained. The third chapter is the Methodology section and consists of overview, research design, subjects, instrumentation, treatment, and lastly, criteria for the evaluation of forms. The fourth chapter is devoted to data analysis. The fifth chapter contains the conclusion and suggestions for further research. n