An Evaluation of Online Practicum Courses for Pre-Service English Language Teachers: Expectations, Attitudes and Learning

Abstract

Teaching practicum should always be a priority for the purpose of equipping teachers with 21st century skills. The aim of the study is to evaluate online practicum from all stakeholders point of view. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. A total of 370 participants were included. 4th grade students enrolled in ELT departments’ “School Experience” course at 2019-2020 academic year from every region of Turkey were questionnaired. EFA and CFA were conducted and Expectation and Reaction scales were developed with SPSS 24 and AMOS 19. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated as .96 and .98 for the expectation and reaction scales respectively, valid and reliable in terms of psychometry. After the scales were developed, at state and private Universities’ ELT departments in Ankara in 2020-2021, Pre-practicum Expectation Scale, Post-practicum Reaction scale, Self-evaluation, Peer evaluation, and End-of-term evaluation statistics for quantitative analysis and interviews with the Cooperating Teachers, School Administrators and Academicians for qualitative analysis were used to administer the experimental study. Regression, Correlation and T-test analyses measured at what levels expectations were met and what were the reactions. Phenomenology analysis was conducted over the interviews. Working groups were determined based on maximum diversity sampling method. It was concluded that online practicum failed to meet the expectations of pre-service EFL teachers. As the end-product of the study “School Experience and Teaching Practicum Guidebook” an up-to-date manual for all stakeholders and a report called “Teaching Practicum Report” which sheds light onto the current problems and necessary changes was prepared.