Every challenge is an opportunity to learn: Student-teachers' learning experiences

Abstract

Field experience or practicum is an important milestone in the lives of prospective teachers. During this time, they will decide whether they want to embark on the teaching journey or never start the journey. The present study explored third year TEFL student teachers' experiences of teaching young learners for the first time. In particular, the focus was on the challenges they faced and the solutions they found to their own challenges. In order to identify student teachers' problems and their solutions, they were asked to keep reflective journals for six weeks while doing their voluntary teaching at their placement schools. The findings indicated that student teachers' experiences in young learners' classes were generally positive and the experience was found to be fruitful. Moreover, the main problems faced by student teachers were related with classroom management; namely, getting students' attention and the level of noise during the lesson. The study highlighted the importance of teaching experience in real classrooms, and how such experiences contributed to student teachers' professional learning.